We arrived at Piazza San Marco around 10:00am. We met our guides in the square surrounded by beautiful facades and adorable Italian women feeding pigeons. We grabbed some maps and started walking down the street. One of the first things I noticed was the street. There were people walking in it! In Rome, crossing the street is a game of human Frogger.
After a few minutes, we turned a corner and there in front of us was yes another beautiful cathedral. San Maria del Fiore translates to St. Mary of the Flower (the official symbol of Florence). Construction began in the late 1200s. Our guide told us it was funded by the people of Florence, which my child-of-the-architects brain links to the Gothic arches inside. 
On the front wall is a clock that has been working since the mid 1400s. It has twenty-four numerals, one for every hour of the day. Hour I starts when the sun rises. The dome is famous because it was the first built without the use of a wooden support frame. Apparently the main concern after construction was wind damage, so there are a number of holes to prevent the wind from ripping the outer shell off the inner shell. It is now covered by a beautiful fresco. I'm still not sure exactly how they painted all of these ceilings without serious neck damage. 
Around another corner we found the Piazza della Signoria, the original location of Michelangelo's David. David, with his over-sized hands, feet, and head, represents a hero for the people. The ruling family didn't really like that. Unable to remove the statue, they put up many statues of their own in the square to take away the spotlight. The result? A pretty cool place to look at a lot of beautiful statues.
Next, we walked down to the river and strolled along the Ponte Vecchio, one of the oldest bridges in Europe. Parts of it have survived World War II. It's famous for the jewelry shops that line the sides. As we walked to the center, we noticed hundreds of locks on the metal railings. While pondering what on earth they could be, a young couple walked over, wrote their names on a gold lock, locked it on the rail, and tossed the key into the river. I think we embarrassed them with our "Awwwww!"'s.
We prowled through the market, passing belts, bags, and coats. After a few minutes, a cell phone dinged. One of our friends had a friend who had friend who knew a guy that owned the best leather shop in the city. After walking down narrow streets and passing many eager salesmen, we met Massimo, of Massimo Leather. "Oh! Beautiful girls! Come in! Come in! Yes, I have the perfect coat for you..." Now, I've never been very trendy when it comes to fashion. I like my classic grey wool coat and I can't imagine myself in much else, especially not a leather jacket. But after 40 minutes of pairing the other five girls with the perfect coats for them, Massimo's assistant turned to me and said "Ok, you. You try just one. Yes?"
I tried just one. Then one more. Then one more. He paired my skin tone and hair to the right color and found the perfect cut.I now own one of Massimo's beautiful chocolate brown leather jackets.
With only an hour and a half left, we made our way to the Galleria Academia, home of Michelangelo's David. I could have stayed in that gallery for a day. Once again, words fall short.
Once home to Leonardo da Vinci, Donatello, Galileo, Raphael, and of course, Michelangelo, there is something very special about Florence.
Click HERE to see more photos of my trip to Florence!
Click HERE to see more photos of my trip to Florence!
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