Florence, Italy

From Venice, we took the train to Florence.  In the market in Florence, you must touch the brass boar's nose in order to insure your return.  We did this and its a good thing since I somehow didn't get a picture of it to share.  Maybe next trip?  We also went to see Michael Angelo's David, but you aren't allowed to take pictures there.  So, this will also remain a memory with no substantiation.

In addition to David and the boar, the Duomo is on the major sites list for Florence.  A Duomo is a cathedral and this one is the Basilica of Saint Mary of the Flower.

You can actually climb up in the dome and walk around the top.  It is the largest brick dome in the world and is structurally supported by an inner dome rather than the flying buttresses favored by the French.  

In fact, buttresses were forbidden to be used in Florence because they were seen as ugly!  A bit of the distaste is apparently due to the fact that they were used in France!

The view from inside the dome

The climb was well worth it since the view was amazing.  This is the Tuscany that you see in paintings, probably exactly the one.

The Duomo was started in 1296 and finished in 1469.  However, the facade of the Duomo and collection of other buildings wasn't completed until late in the 19th Century!  The facade is made of white, green and red/pink marble.

Florence is centrally located in Italy on the Arno River.  The Ponte Vecchio spans the river at it's narrowest point and has done so in some form since Roman times.  Within, you hardly realize you are on a bridge.  The shops that cling to and hang off the sides are filled with jewelers and souvenir shops.  

We preferred to do our shopping in the market.  Leather in all forms is what you have to buy in Florence.  Both Katie and I bought leather purses and I could kick myself for not buying about 8 while I was at it.  Again, another great reason to go back. I hope that brass boar is for real!