If you’ve been following my blog (thank you ) you’ll have seen that Rome is not my favorite city . Everything I feel about Rome I feel the exact opposite about Firenze .

I love it here . The food , the shopping, the people and the sheer scenery and history that overwhelms you everywhere.

This is the city that truly changed the world . In a short span of time five to 10 families with money created the Renaissance. The employed great artists, built challenging architecture, redefined literature and spread ideas that at the time seemed unacceptable. Okay , so they eliminated their enemies , threw a bunch of folks into prison and were good with poisoning …the upshot was a changed world.

Everywhere you go in this city you see this . The Frescoes the redefined art , the engineering marvels like the dome that was deemed impossible to build , the sculpture that overwhelms you everywhere you turn .

It’s the home of my favorite piece of Renaissance art. The wooden carved statue of Mary Magdalene by Donatello. I first saw this stature in the 90s on a business trip to Firenze. I had an hour free and zipped into the Duomo museum primarily to see the doors of the baptistery .

I came across the sculpture suddenly and it literally took my breath away. This is no Renaissance buxom woman as Mary but instead a ragged , and disheveled woman in her 70s. Her hands and face are lined with wrinkles and the years of a rough and shattered life are etched deep in her face ..and yet in her expression you can see the pentinenance and redemption. It is such a moving piece of art . It’s now in a glass case so you can’t get as close as you once could but it still packs a punch. Next to the sculpture they have placed a polymer replica which they encourage you to touch and feel the lines in her hands and face. It’s an incredible experience. Oh yeah and those doors by Ghiberti are also there lol

Despite the huge number of tourists that come here it never seems overwhelming. It’s sort of a controlled chaos.

We stayed in a 14th century palace that was converted to a hotel about 100 years ago. The Loggiato de Serviti . It’s the hotel I’ve always stayed at when I come. It’s a bit worn at the edges and seen better days but it’s gorgeous and comfortable like a beautiful old dress shoe. I recommend it .

The food is of course also amazing and it’s a city made for walking .

We climbed up to dome . A Renaissance engineering marvel. The climb allowed us not only a spectacular view of the city but a spectacular view of the ceiling by Zuccari. It’s breathtaking..just like the rest of the city .

I know this city is a crazy tourist attraction. In the summer the place is overrun with tourists but in the Spring and Autumn the weather is pleasant , the crowds are smaller and the food is always great .