Sixteen Friends in Italy: Florence piazzas and gardens

Florence is full of beautiful piazzas and gardens. Here are a few that we particularly enjoyed.

Piazza della Signoria is the center of the city with the Palazzo Vecchio, the Uffizi, and the huge tower. Our place was just a few minutes away, which was very convenient.

Piazza della Signoria viewed from the tower.

Palazzo Vecchio with its very imposing tower

The tower and clock

The tower at sunset

The equestrian statue of Cosimo I de Medici, Il Magnifico

The Fountain of Neptune

A group competing in the Youth Orchestra Festival, and performing in front of the statue of Menelaus supporting the body of Patroclus, under the Loggia della Signoria

Someone is lurking around the corner...

Vicki exploring the beautiful small garden of the Palazzo Vecchio

A fountain in the garden of the Palazzo Vecchio

Detail

The Duomo, or Cathedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore, is the main church of the city, and it is truly massive. It was begun in 1296. At the time, there was no engineering knowledge for building the dome, so the cathedral stayed with a hole in its roof until a design was chosen through competition in 1420. The building was actually completed in 1436. The exterior is clad in marble of various colors.

The facade

Detail

The campanile, with portion of the dome visible

The side of the massive church, with the dome reaching 375 feet in height

The Piazza della Republica is a beautiful square with an antique carousel, and the whole piazza is busy throughout the day and evening.

The entrance of the piazza

The carousel

The Boboli Gardens are behind the Palazzo Pitti, home of the Medicis, on the Ante Arno side of the city. Because of the typical Tuscan climate, the gardens are rather dry. There are many beautiful sculptures, statues, and structures throughout the gardens.