Si and I left the flat at 6.30 and it was perfect – quiet and cool. We went to the Duomo (cathedral) first. A massive creation in ornate marble.
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| Approaching the Duomo |
Then to the square outside the Uffizi to see the copy of the statue of David. Crossed the Ponte Vecchio again and went to the Palazzo Pitti a huge brutish building with an interesting modern statue outside. We then went to Santo Spirito and as it was now 8.30 the church was open. According to the Rough Guide Bernini described it as the “most beautiful church in the world”. It was very elegant. Then made our way home for breakfast picking up some custard and chocolate filled pastries for breakfast on the way.
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| It is hard to capture the size of the Cathedral but this is an attempt |
Spent the rest of the morning inside in the relative cool before venturing out for some sandwiches at lunch time. Then I went to the Santa Maria Novella church. This was awe inspiring, not in a spiritual sense but just thinking about the jaw dropping levels of wealth it represents. Rich families commissioned chapels within the church some with immense frescos - often including themselves pictured as part of biblical stories. The others went for a drink and then went to see the Duomo again. William and Josie were impressed but didn't say they wished they'd got up at 6.
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| The outside of Santa Maria Novella |
We then retreated back to the cool of the apartment. Josie and I tried to go to Mcdonalds later to use their WiFi but after we'd bought drinks found out you had to have an Italian phone to access it. We had dinner at the apartment and then went out for gelato (after our meal this time!). It was a Sicilian one recommended in the Rough Guide but wasn't as good as some of the others we've had.
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