Rome was, of course, truly stunning. However, three hours after leaving Rome, the Jeep Renegade arrived in Florence.
Home to the Medici, Machiavelli, Leonardo Da Vinci, Dante, Michelangelo, Botticelli, Brunelleschi, Guccio Gucci, and birthplace of what is considered the modern Italian language itself…it is beyond belief. Rich in history, culture, art, and of course….FOOD (and maybe drink).
Astute observers will recognize that I am, in fact, a fan of the Assassin’s Creed series of video games. As any highly-educated individual with class will confirm, the AC2/Brotherhood/Revelations trilogy is by far and away the best of all of them. Why is that, you ask? One person, four words. Ezio Auditore da Firenze. I have to admit, I was absolutely GIDDY when, after arriving in Florence, the narrow streets opened up and one of the most incredible sights I’ve only seen in-game emerged right in front of me: Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore, or “The Duomo”. What’s better than getting to see it in person as you walk around the corner into the Piazza del Duomo? Staying at Hotel Duomo in their famous Room 31, with a balcony that overlooks the cathedral.
Before you ask, yes I’ve already booked it for next year’s trip too.
Unfortunately it was just the one night in Florence, but don’t worry….it was well spent. After being completely floored by the wonderful staff, comfy room with unbelievable view, and the sheer magnitude of Florence itself, it was time to wander (because no great adventure ever happened sitting in a hotel room–even with that to look at). And wandering around Florence does *NOT* disappoint. First stop was about 50 yards away–Museo dell’Opera del Duomo (the Museum of the Works of the Cathedral). The three alcoves in the photo above (just below the circular window) are a portion of similar alcoves around the building’s exterior, which originally housed sculptures by Michaelangelo, Donatello, and others (fun fact: Michaelangelo’s David was originally slated for the southwest corner of the exterior!). Those sculptures, along with the original doors of the Baptistery (also part of the Piazza, notable as the building in which Dante Alighieri and most of the Medici family, were baptized), and LOADS of other artwork is on display in the Museum. St. John the Baptist is the Patron Saint of Florence….and the Museum has a reliquary with one of his finger bones. An actual phalange…from the man who is said to have baptized Jesus himself. Whatever anyone’s beliefs are, to get to be that close to something so immensely historic and important to billions of people, was pretty special.
In Rome, I was a little disappointed that time didn’t allow for a visit at St Peter’s Basilica (the Vatican Museums are separate, they getcha twice on admission costs) because that’s famously the home of what is arguably one of Michaelangelo’s greatest works, La Pieta. As it happens, it was on loan by the Vatican to…Museo dell’Opera del Duomo, to display with his two other works on the same theme, The Deposition and the Rondanini Pieta. Just getting to see sculptures by some of the most incredibly talented humans in history was amazing in and of itself. Getting to see those three, in the same room together? I was absolutely speechless.
There’s no ignoring how immensely special this trip became with just one museum visit.
After knocking out yet *ANOTHER* bucket list item with the museum, some more adventure awaited. It was time to venture out and see more of Florence….so rather than a boatload of drivel, here’s a few photos.
The walk back to the hotel after dinner yielded a massively serendipitous moment, though at this point it’s probably wise to provide a little back story. Your friend The Professor was in Vegas a while back and some very talented singers were providing live music at an Irish pub. Conversation (after some beverages) turned to “I’ve got ten dollars, play Wonderwall!” (thankfully not loud enough they could hear.) This became a running gag among various other adventures–Yellowstone, fella a few campsites over had a guitar, rum and whiskey caused the same phrase to be said loudly but not shouted; New Orleans, any number of bands busking….that sort of thing. Well, turns out this gentleman in Florence already knew the score.
It was a spectacular day and night, but two points arose. First, one night in Florence is nowhere NEAR enough. Second, the next morning meant–along with a slight amount of dehydration and maybe a little throb in the forehead–it was time to pack up and head out, because although the drive from Florence to Venice isn’t *THAT* long, there was a pair of pit stops that needed to be made along the way. But that’s another story for next week.