day-trip to Firenze

i have neglected my blog, but no longer.
on sunday, i took a day trip to florence. from rome, with the fast train, it takes just over an hour and a half. i left 9:45 and got there before 11:30.

the first stop was the DUOMO (the cathedral). building started 1296 and completed in 1432 with the completion of the dome (barely visible between the church and the bell tower). next to the duomo in milan, externally, it is the most beautiful church, followed by st. peters in my opinion.

in front of this church is the BATTISTERO DI SAN GIOVANNI (baptistery). until the 19th century, all florentines were baptized there.

beside the church is GIOTTO'S BELL TOWER, 84 meters high. you can go up the bell tower, but there are 414 steps and no elevator. i decided to go up the tower. tons of sweat later, i arrived but the view was worth it

on the top left is PALAZZO VECCHIO, a massive gothic fortress/castle. i love its tower. it is in PIAZZA DELLA SIGNORIA, which is the center and heart of florence. just to the right of it (with 3 arches) is LOGGIA DEI LANZI gallery. its an open gallery that has famous sculptures. to the right of the palazzo (cant see it in that picture) is the world famous GALLERIA DEGLI UFFIZI. next to the louvre, it is the most important art museum in the world. piazza della signoria is a short walk away from the duomo. in the center of the above picture is the main street (nicely lit up by xmas lights) and it connects the duomo and the piazza. pictures the beautiful piazza tomorrow.