I took a bus from my hotel to the Piazza Michelangelo area. From here I was then supposed to transfer to another bus that would then take me to the top of the hill. However, at this bus stop it said that the bus wouldn't be coming for another twenty minutes. I figured I could walk up faster and up the hill I went.
In many ways I was glad that I chose to walk up the hill inside. It was a very relaxing experience and the hill itself was very gradual so anyone could walk up it with relatively no difficultly at all. What I enjoyed the most was just taking in what was around me. I enjoyed the gradual overlook of Florence as I climbed the hill as well as the architecture of the various villas. These villas were of a wide assortment of pastel colors, which offered a nice break from all the monotone colored houses of England.
Further up the hill there was a cathedral. Behind this cathedral, there was a very impressive graveyard, that I spent a solid half hour or more exploring. What was really unique about this graveyard was the mere complexity and craftsmanship behind each gravestone. There were some very touching memorials to those who have passed, however, there was one that stood out from all the rest.
This gravestone was for a young married couple. Above their grave was to marble statues of the couple. The man's hair was combed back and he wore a suite and tie. The woman wore a long dress and had long lustrous hair. They stood together holding hands and looking into each other's eyes. Standing there I felt like I was there in that moment watching their sweet embrace. It was a very moving tribute to this couple and I stood there for several moments reflecting upon this moment.
Going through this graveyard gave me a whole new perspective on what graveyards can be. Prior to venturing into this graveyard in Florence I had always seen graveyards as a very grim place, however, being in such an elaborate graveyard such as this one, made me realize that there can be a beauty, reflection and solidarity to graveyards.
I made my way back down the hill and headed towards the Uffizi Gallery. There was no queue to get in whatsoever so I simply strolled right on in. Within the gallery itself it was packed, but getting in was quick as a breeze.
The gallery itself was composed of two parallel hallways that lead off into various rooms along the sides. In these hallways there were various marble statues that mainly composed of Ancient Mythological Gods and Goddesses and of regular old people performing day to day tasks. The ceiling lining these hallways were artwork within themselves, as they had various paintings with a golden leaf lining surrounding them.
What was really neat about this gallery was getting to see various famous paintings I had studied in my fine arts class. For example paintings like Madonna of Goldfinch or The Birth of Venus. I was not expecting to see these paintings so it took me by surprise when I ran into them.
In many ways I was glad that I chose to walk up the hill inside. It was a very relaxing experience and the hill itself was very gradual so anyone could walk up it with relatively no difficultly at all. What I enjoyed the most was just taking in what was around me. I enjoyed the gradual overlook of Florence as I climbed the hill as well as the architecture of the various villas. These villas were of a wide assortment of pastel colors, which offered a nice break from all the monotone colored houses of England.
When I made it to the top it was well worth the climb. From atop the Piazza Michelangelo, you could see the entire city down below. One could easily marvel at the architectural beauty of the city. Equally the same, one could let their eyes wander down the endless River Arno. Or you could indulge in looking off into the mountains in the far away distance.
This gravestone was for a young married couple. Above their grave was to marble statues of the couple. The man's hair was combed back and he wore a suite and tie. The woman wore a long dress and had long lustrous hair. They stood together holding hands and looking into each other's eyes. Standing there I felt like I was there in that moment watching their sweet embrace. It was a very moving tribute to this couple and I stood there for several moments reflecting upon this moment.
Going through this graveyard gave me a whole new perspective on what graveyards can be. Prior to venturing into this graveyard in Florence I had always seen graveyards as a very grim place, however, being in such an elaborate graveyard such as this one, made me realize that there can be a beauty, reflection and solidarity to graveyards.
I made my way back down the hill and headed towards the Uffizi Gallery. There was no queue to get in whatsoever so I simply strolled right on in. Within the gallery itself it was packed, but getting in was quick as a breeze.
The gallery itself was composed of two parallel hallways that lead off into various rooms along the sides. In these hallways there were various marble statues that mainly composed of Ancient Mythological Gods and Goddesses and of regular old people performing day to day tasks. The ceiling lining these hallways were artwork within themselves, as they had various paintings with a golden leaf lining surrounding them.
What was really neat about this gallery was getting to see various famous paintings I had studied in my fine arts class. For example paintings like Madonna of Goldfinch or The Birth of Venus. I was not expecting to see these paintings so it took me by surprise when I ran into them.
By the time I had finished inside the gallery the weather had cleared up considerably. This morning it was very cloudy, but by the time I got back outside it was sunny and much warmer.
I then searched for a place to grab a bite to eat. I found a place to eat within this market and then strolled around this market. I came upon the Bronze Boar. It is said that if you kiss this Boar, it ensures that you return to Florence. I wasn't about to do that, but it was pretty funny watching others do this.
After exploring the market I did not really know what else to do. I made my way back to the River Arno, where there was a walkway along the river. I saw mountains in the far away distance and decided that I would start walking towards them. As I got further less people were around and that was when I really got to enjoy the ambiance of the city. Whether it was just looking upon the houses that lined the river or just listening to the flow of the river, it was all in all a very relaxing experience.
As I walked along the River Arno I bumped into the couple, whom I had sat next to on the flight to Rome. We talked about our various adventures thus far and then decided that we would go to Pisa tomorrow. If time permits we might also go to a small city called Lucca.
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