ITALIA #5 TUSCANY #4

FLORENCE, or Firenze in Italian, is the art capital of Italy. We walked it's streets, and enjoyed the sights during a warm day. Florence was also a wealthy city, and one of Europe's leading cultural, financial and banking centers.The famous and powerful Medici family ruled Florence for many years beginning in 1432.

 The Arno river runs through the city

 Ponte Vecchio (old bridge) across the river Arno

We visited the Galleria dell Academia, best known for housing the world's most famous naked man, Michelangelo's original David. No pictures allowed inside, though. So, I posed in front of one of many "David's" at the Plazza di Santa Cecilia.

 Ponte Vecchio, as seen from the top floor of the Uffizi Gallery, Florence's most famous art gallery. Originally   built as a government office (uffizi) building in the 1500's, the Uffizi Gallery now houses the enormous art collection of the Medici family

 Palazzo Vecchio,  or old palace, located next to the Uffizi Gallery

 The Duomo, or cathedral, can be seen through the rooftops of this narrow street

 After a grueling but satisfying day, it was time for a "bierre" at the Uffizi's rooftop cafe/bar

Back in Castelnuovo-Berardenga, the town closest to our villa, we stopped for dinner. Like in other places, we managed to communicate with a waitress who spoke no English. JIR