Hello my friends. After our visit to Fiesole, we went on a stroll in Florence. Wandering through the city we observed the atmosphere, the tourists and the people. Our first stop was Piazza del Duomo, Florence's main square. Anyone who has visited Florence multiple times knows this: Florence is not only a city rich in culture and art but also a magnet for tourists. Especially in the post-Covid years, the tourist season seems never to end.
I used to enjoy visiting Florence at different times of the year. However, I should mention this: if you think "bad weather means fewer tourists" you are mistaken. There is no such thing as a low season in Florence. Sure the crowds in winter aren't as dense as in summer, but plenty of tourists still visit during cold weather, autumn and early spring. In summer, cruise ship visitors on day trips make the city even busier. Nevertheless, even in winter the weather was pleasant and the tourists were there.
I love the breathtaking view of the Cathedral Square. When I was there, some restoration or other work was underway. No matter how many times I pass by, I cannot resist stopping to see Lorenzo Ghiberti’s famous "Gates of Paradise" the golden doors of the Baptistery. These doors are actually replicas, as the originals are housed in the Opera del Duomo Museum. Cathedral Square is naturally, one of the most popular spots in the city. Don’t let the crowds scare you. Here amidst such beauty, I often forget the bustling surroundings. It feels as though the world goes silent for a moment. Near Cathedral Square is a spot known as Dante's Stone (Pietra di Dante). It is believed that Dante once sat on this stone.
Close to Cathedral Square is another fascinating street: Vicolo del Giglio. I have a memory associated with this street. Once our guide took us there to show the scale of medieval Florence's squares. As the guide spoke excitedly, we suddenly heard the sound of an iron gate closing and realized we were locked inside. Fortunately, our calls for help were heard and we were freed. This incident was of course, a mild adventure. But I remember the contrast of that moment: being completely cut off from the outside world, followed by the sound of metal scraping against metal and realizing we were trapped. Memories like these stay with me.
There’s also a lovely bookstore nearby. It has everything from children’s books to English-language resources. You might want to visit it.
Near Dante's Stone is another marble slab, though it’s said the original stone is elsewhere. As stories about this stone swirled in my mind, we continued to explore the hidden corners near the cathedral.
By the way you’ll rarely encounter stray animals in Florence. All animals are registered and cared for by volunteers. For instance, we saw a dog that I initially thought was stray, but its owner appeared shortly after. Encountering small surprises like this in the streets was delightful.
We then arrived at Piazza della Signoria. What a beautiful square. I felt like someone who wanted to show their cherished friends around these lovely, sunny streets. I think posts like this are important. sometimes, it’s good to share daily life and relax instead of always talking about high art and culture.
The sunlight illuminated the profile of the David statue, making it feel as though the statue might come to life and speak. We continued our walk, passing by Santo Stefano al Ponte Church. This church is no longer an active place of worship. It’s now used as a concert hall and exhibition space. There was an exhibition titled Inside Klimt at the time, but I didn’t feel like visiting it. The weather was so beautiful that exploring the city seemed more appealing. Still, for your information, exhibitions and concerts are often held here.
Classical music concerts in Florence are frequently held in this church, which is just a few steps from the Old Bridge (Ponte Vecchio). We walked towards it, catching a glimpse of Santo Stefano al Ponte Church’s façade through a narrow alley.
We crossed the Old Bridge, one of Florence's most famous landmarks. It’s always busy. The bridge is lined with jewelry shops and the views of the city and riverside from the bridge are stunning. On one side was the Uffizi Gallery and Florence’s only original defensive tower in the distance, while on the other was the unique landscape of the Arno River.
As we passed by the Uffizi Gallery, we noticed the queue. This scene was breathtaking. The line resembled security checks at an airport. Bags, coats and similar items had to go through inspection, which was the main cause of the queue. Fortunately, I can say that the line moved quickly. If you need to buy tickets, look for the ticket office marked Biglietteria at the back. Interestingly there often wasn’t a line here. So, if you decide to visit the Uffizi Gallery spontaneously, your chances of doing so are quite good.
We continued our walk along the banks of the Arno River. Compared to the bustling squares, this area felt much more spacious. With its open skies and wide spaces, you don’t feel lost in the crowd here.
By the river stands the Galileo Galilei Museum. If you’re interested in science, I highly recommend visiting this museum. In the square in front of the museum, there was a meridian line. The backdrop included the edge of the Uffizi Gallery, the Old Bridge, the riverbank and the Arno River. By the way the river’s name is pronounced as Arno. On such a beautiful day, one of the things I most wanted to do was visit a terrace with a panoramic view of the city. Unfortunately, I didn’t have time. Maybe next time, during a walk through the Oltrarno district I’ve heard so much about, I’ll get that chance.
Now let me draw your attention to something seemingly ordinary, perhaps even unattractive: the walls. These walls however, belong to the rear exit of one of the world’s most fascinating museums, the Uffizi Gallery. While this part of the gallery might not be as striking as its façade, it’s imbued with the intense emotions of its visitors. Upon leaving, most people have two thoughts: How lucky we are to have seen such beauty and How lucky we are to finally step outside and breathe fresh air. The Uffizi is always packed and offers a profoundly immersive experience. If you plan to visit, I suggest setting aside plenty of time. Also, try not to schedule anything too demanding afterward, as the experience can be both physically and mentally exhausting.
We continued walking and entered a street leading us to Piazza San Firenze via Via dei Leoni. According to legend, this street housed cages filled with lions during the Middle Ages. From here we also caught a glimpse of the Vasari Corridor's starting point. This corridor once connected Duke Cosimo I’s old residence to his new one and the Uffizi.
When we reached Piazza San Firenze, we found it to be quite an impressive square. It’s worth mentioning the Franco Zeffirelli Museum, located in the old courthouse building adjacent to the square. Dedicated to the memory of the great Italian director Franco Zeffirelli, the museum is a treasure trove. Even if you’re not a film enthusiast, you’ve likely heard of Zeffirelli’s famous works like Romeo and Juliet from the 1960s. The museum offers a fascinating collection, from film costumes to personal archives.
It’s time to wrap up our walk. Thank you for joining me today. I’m so grateful for your time and for reading along. I hope your day and week are amazing.
