Sunday, October 4, 2015

2015 - Oct. 2-4: Our Final Destination - Florence

Our vacation adventure in Italy is coming to an end! Soon, David and Joyce will head home and I will start school. Our final weekend together is in Florence. 

Thanks to cousin Marilyn, we are staying at the Casa Santo Nome di Gesu convent, which is within a 15th century palace! It has a beautiful garden and is located in the most authentic quarter of Florence’s historical city center.




More pictures and lots of information available here: Casa Santo Nome

We've unpacked and we're off to see the city. Our first stop is the Piazza della Signoria, where the statue of David is kept. 






































The one outside is a replica...



Everyone comes here to...



... take that ever-important "selfie".

























A few blocks north is the Piazza del Duomo and the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore.



A couple of seasoned travelers!

Next, we are off to the Basilica of Santa Croce.

A view of the alter area.


A closer view of the Holy Cross (Santa Croce). This is actually a replica as the original was damaged in a flood.

The original is currently hanging in a room dedicated to preserving it.

In 1966, the Arno River flooded much of Florence, including Santa Croce. The water entered the church bringing mud, pollution and heating oil. The damage to buildings and art treasures was severe, taking several decades to repair.

Do you see the three white rectangles to the upper-left of Joyce? They indicate the water levels from previous floods. The top one indicates the water level of the February 1966 flood!

Lastly, we visit the Galileo Museum. Incedible!! I thought David and Joyce might spend the night in the museum!








































After this, the hard part starts; four weeks at the Eurocentres Italian Language School. Dictionaries are ready!!

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