Beautiful Florence

I think that Florence would be my most favourite city in Italy. Every time I have been there, I have marvelled at the old architecture. The best place to view the city form is the Paizelle Michaelangelo. Situated on the south side of the River Arno, you get a panoramic view of the old city and the beautiful buildings within. It is a short walk along the River Arno to the Ponte Vecchio. The Ponte Vecchio ("Old Bridge") is a Medieval bridge over the River Arno, noted for its jewellery and gold shops. 

The prominent cathedral in Florence is the Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore, commonly known as the Duomo. The building of the Duomo started in 1296 in the Gothic style to the design of Arnolfo di Cambio and it was structurally completed in 1436, with the dome engineered by Filippo Brunelleschi. The Giotto's Campanile (bell tower) is part of the Duomo, and you can climb the 414 steps to get a terrific view. 

You can't go to Florence without seeing the Statue of David. Situated in the Galleria dell Accademia, it is a masterpiece of Renaissance sculpture created between 1501 and 1504 by the Italian artist Michelangelo.

Florence is full of piazzas (city squares) and palazzos (palaces). The piazzas provide many areas for markets and open spaces within the city, and as you move through narrow streets, it is picturesque to see it then open up in a large piazza. The palazzos provide many areas for museums and art galleries within the city.

I look forward to getting back to Florence again soon.