In Santa Croce...without a Baedeker

Last Friday, all 10 of us went to Florence for the day. I was thrilled, because as it turned out, we were able to get to two locations I have always wanted to see. In my several visits there, I haven't made it for various reasons...but this time, yes! We left Todi at 5:30 a.m. to get to the train in Perugia, then took the intercity (with compartments! My favorite!) straight to Florence.

Of course we went to the Duomo and the Piazza della Repubblica, the Uffizi (outside only), Palazzo Vecchio, and the Ponte Vecchio. But! We also got to Santa Croce (without a Baedeker...those who have enjoyed A Room with a View will appreciate the significance), which I had always wanted to see! Galileo Galilei is buried there, as is Michelangelo. We waved hello. The church itself is quite lovely, and I think the girls were impressed with the age of many of the frescoes (several dating to the 14th century).

My second highlight was the Bargello Museum. The structure itself, formerly a jail, is magnificent, and their ivory collection/armoury/sculptures were stupendous. Loved it. The museum is really just the right size to be worth entering without feeling like it should be a day's commitment.

We walked our feet off, then had dinner and went home, arriving in Todi at midnight. Needless to say, we all slept well the following day!

Love,

Alexandra

Square outside Sta Croce, I think

Santa Croce!

Oldest tomb..1360, I think

Imagine...all carved with hand tools!

Michelangelo's tomb! I loved the interplay
of fresco, marble, and paint

Galileo's resting place

Saluting Fermi

Interior, Santa Croce 

Bargello Museum tower

Interior of the Bargello courtyard