Florence day 3, changing plans

This morning was another of those set the alarm morning, but we woke up before it went off and just relaxed in bed a bit until it rang

Then it was showering, breakfast and heading out. Today as it was cloudy we took umbrellas 

a+

We crossed the river on one of the many bridges heading towards the Giardino di Boboli. On our way, this plaque was on a pedestal by the sidewalk. The bright building in the center is Palazzo Pitti, which was purchased in 1550 as the home of Cosimo I de’ Medici and his wife Eleanor as the new Grand Ducal residence.

The gardens we were heading for were part of the estate.

This is the side of the walled estate as you come from the river a couple of blocks away

This is the front of the estate, the ducal home

This this the view if you are facing away from the ducal home near the doors. There is a lot of space between the front of  palazzo and the buildings across the street.

Unfortunately for us the whole place closes down the first and last Monday of the month.

The gardens were supposed to be the ones Versailles gardens in France were modeled after. There was a gate we could peak through to get a couple of photos. This one is of a grotto. It appears they are working on it now

This was what we could see as we peaked the other direction.

There were windows that looked similar to this one all across the front of the build with the difference being this is the only one with what looked to me like a tub with stairs leading up on both sides. No idea what it was but found it interesting.

We spent some time window shopping. Some of the places were not open today. This was a common way to cover the store windows in the area we explored. We did each get a new leather jacket at the store that Dale read an article on. It is a family business that has been around for many generations 

This church I mentioned in my first blog of Florence it is right next door to a lovely restaurant we ate at that first afternoon. We loved there grilled vegetables so much we had lunch there again today

As you can see it is gated off, but I was able to zoom in to get this picture. It is a comparatively simple church for this area

 This is the side street next to the church. We went for a bit of a ramble after lunch

We worked our way a short bit up the other side of the river

From where we were standing I could see one more bridge and the start of the hills and mountains of northern Italy

Then I turned towards the side of the river we were exploring yesterday and found we were across from the way we came out of the Palazzo Vecchio and the Piazzale degli Uffizi, which had all the statues of famous Renaissance people

I am not sure what this is for sure, but I kind of wonder if it was not one of the watch towers as Florence was a walled and fortified city state in the Renaissance time

Another more wide angle look across the river. In front of the Piazzale was the only way I had seem in the old city to get to the river area. It has ramps, a dock area, and even seating like for a restaurant 

This is a look back at the Ponte Vecchio bridge, that dates back to the Middle Ages. The shops on both sides of the bridge  hang out over the river. Nowadays the shops along this bridge are watches and jewelers. Very beautiful gold, precious gemstones, cameos, and old coins made into jewelry. The old part of the city is mainly pedestrian, there are some cars, but almost everyone is walking

This side of river also seems to have some steep places, I would hate to climb these stairs several times a day.

This is a picture back as we crossed the Ponte Vecchio bridge, as you can see people walk on the roads

As we wander another part of the city on our side of the river we came upon another street market abounding in leather goods, scarves and such. It is not just a pedestrian walking area, cars drive on these road too, sometimes, but people seem to have the right of way.

This statue sat at the head of this market.

It is called Fontana del Porcellino, it is said that rubbing his snout will ensure you will return to Florence. Many must want that as his snout is very shiny from being rubbed.

I have no idea what these build are beyond the one on the right is a small local church and the one on the left looks as if it was a fortified home at one time.

We took another excursion across the river and I saw these terraces with roof gardens. I have seen a ton of stone, but few plants. I think there are green spaces, but I also think most of them are behind walled areas 

This is another area a few blocks away

And this is the most greenery I have seen at ground level.

Another snap shot of the shopping bridge from the bridge closer to our hotel. Dale rambled on, but I headed back as my feet had had enough.

As I head back to our hotel I passed another fun door.

Dale got back awhile after me. He said he wandered to the edge of the old city and it changed from mainly pedestrian and charming to traffic clogged, few pedestrians and modern. I am glad I did not go that far. I am enchanted by the old city. 

Tomorrow we will be leaving Florence adventuring to make our way to Naples