Florence

Looking across the Arno RIver toward the Plaza Michelangelo.

The Arno River.

The Basilica of Santa Croce. Construction began in 1294. It was consecrated in 1442. Here are buried such luminaries as Galileo, Machiavelli and Michelangelo.

Statue of Dante Alighieri. The author of "Divine Comedy" and often referred to as "The Father of the Italian Language".

The Palazzo Vecchio (The Old Palace), built in the 14th century.

Fountain of Neptune, completed in 1565

A copy of Michelangelo's David near where the original stood. The original has been housed in a museum in Florence since 1873 to protect it from the elements. Completed in 1504 by Michelangelo when he was only 26 years old, the David is the single most recognizable symbol of the Rennaisance.

The Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore (Basilica of Saint Mary of the Flower). This is referred to simply as Duomo in Florence. Construction began on the church in 1296 and it was consecrated in 1436. The exterior decorations were not completed until 1887. The bell tower was built between 1334 and 1359.

The Duomo

Interior of the Duomo in Florence.

The interior of the Duomo in Florence.

The Duomo.

The Duomo.

This shows the Baptistry near the Duomo and the Bell Tower.

The Ponte Vecchio or "Old Bridge" across the Arno River. This is the oldest bridge across the Arno, dating to 1335. It is the only bridge in the area to have survived WWII. It was supposed to be destroyed by the local German commander, but was spared after the local people pleaded for it. The approaches to the bridge on the opposite side of the bridge were destroyed instead.

The Ponte Vecchio has had shops built into it since it's inception and they are still in use today.

Street scene in Florence.

Railbow over the Piazzalo Michelangelo

View of Florence from the Piazzala Michelangelo, a scenic overlook across the Arno River from the main part of town.

Panorama of Florence.

Florence