The Ponte
Vecchio (Old Bridge) was designed by Giotto’s pupil, Taddeo Gaddi in 1345. It
is the oldest bridge in Florence and the only one that wasn’t blown up during
World War II. There have always been shops on the bridge, butchers and tanners
for instance. Today it is hard to imagine it passing by the finest windows: mainly
luxury watches and jewelleries are sold here. Actually, feels like walking on a
medieval mini street. The tiny shops have windows over the river so even for
the view worth visiting them. Still, hard to resist not buying anything…
For the Palazzo
Pitti I had only a short time as arrived only 1,5 hours before their closing.
As I always can come back J I
had just a quick look in the Palatine Gallery and most of my time I spent in
the Boboli Gardens sunbathing and walking. The Palazzo was originally built for
the banker Luca Pitti then it was bought by the Medici Family. The impressive art
collection of the Medici contains works form the Renaissance and Baroque. Some
of them are still here, in the Palatine Gallery some of them were transferred
to the Uffizi. Just a few names but the list is basically endless: Giorgione,
Botticelli, Titian, Tintoretto, Caravaggio, Rubens… and many-many-many more. I
had a quick look at the Royal Apartments and passed by Napoleon‘s Bathroom that
he never used.
The Boboli
Gardens were created for the Medici one year after they bought the Palazzo
Pitti. It is a beautiful Renaissance style garden that was opened to public in
the 18th century. Quite nice staying there and be a little far from
the crowd in the city however you need to buy a ticket to get in.
Not much time
left as it is closing time soon and I am also meeting my sister for a hot
chocolate at Caffe Scudieri just in front of the Duomo.
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