5/28/2024 Florence and the Chianti Region

Florence Cathedral (AKA the Cathedral of St. Mary of the Flower).

Construction began in 1296 and was completed by 1436.

            The Ponte Vecchio is a medieval stone closed-spandrel 

segmental arch bridge over the Arno River 

that was spared from destruction during World War II.

Multiple shops populate the span, especially jewelers, art dealers,

and souvenir shops.

I love this piece of modern art in a nearby garden 

depicting a transparent framed suitcase with an ocean liner navigating rough seas and monuments in the background.

We nicknamed this sculpture "Pothead."

There are two different floodline markings on the outside of a small church in Florence. The finger points to the lower line, which occurred before the one on the small gray rectangle in the upper left.

Interesting juxtaposition between ancient and new.

At first, you would think this art with a figure with very pink hair stepping off the edge of the bridge before plunging into the Arno was humorous, but it is actually a plea to others who have contemplated committing suicide by jumping into the river and drowning to reconsider their decision. 

Important Sculptures in Piazza Della Signoria, Florence...

A copy of Michelangelo's David.

Fountain of Neptune.

Hercules and Cacus

It was time for lunch on our own.

Dennis, Joan, and I laughed when we saw what seemed to be this unfriendly sign, but it didn't stop us from grabbing the table next to it. That may be why their large pizza took longer to arrive than my risotto.

Dennis and I ordered Dolomiti, a new Italian beer, 

and Joan stuck with her chardonnay. Everything was delicious. 

Afterward, I finally realized what this warning was all about. 

The wait staff were sick and tired of Americans asking for martinis during happy hour and Americano (AKA American coffee) all day long. 

It was so much easier to just post a neon sign.