Florence greeted us with grandeur the moment we stepped into Piazza del Duomo.
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| Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore |
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| Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore |
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| Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore |
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| Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore |
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| Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore |
The Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore rose before us, its marble façade of pink, green, and white glowing in the morning light—a structure so ornate and massive it seemed to embody the city’s soul. We lingered over breakfast at a café in sight of the cathedral, savoring a warm spinach-and-cheese slice, pancakes with fruit and cream, and of course, two strong espressos to set the tone for the day.
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| Breakfast |
Our tickets gave us fast access into the cathedral itself, the archaeological excavations beneath, and the museum nearby. Inside, the vast nave felt simpler than we expected—especially after seeing St. Peter’s in Rome—but still awe-inspiring.
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| Santa Maria del Fiore |
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| Santa Maria del Fiore |
If we hadn’t visited Rome, Florence’s Duomo would have left us utterly speechless. Externally, though, we found it even more impressive than St. Peter’s, with Brunelleschi’s dome towering above the city.
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| Under the cathedral |
Beneath the cathedral, the archaeological site revealed layers of history: remnants of earlier churches dating back to the 7th century, and even the spurs of a knight from the 13th century.
The Opera del Duomo Museum was another highlight, with relics, sculptures, and even works by Michelangelo on display. One room, steeped in medieval tradition, held relics of martyred saints—including the finger of St. John the Baptist.
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| Finger of John the baptist |
Afterward, we enjoyed a leisurely lunch at a nearby café: roast pork and salad for Cos, lasagne with bruschetta for Melissa, all paired with two glasses of Chianti and finished with coffee.
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| Ponte Vecchio Duck |
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| Ponte Vecchio Bridge |
From there, we wandered through Florence’s leather markets until we reached the Ponte Vecchio. Crossing the bridge felt like stepping into a painting: jewelers’ shops glittered on either side, musicians played softly, and the golden light danced across the Arno River. It was more than a crossing—it was a stroll through centuries of history, with the Vasari Corridor hidden above and the promise of gelato at the other end.
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| Michelangelo’s tomb |
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| Basilica of Santa Croce |
Our final stop was the Basilica of Santa Croce, Michelangelo’s resting place. The Gothic interior was solemn yet inspiring, lined with memorials to Italy’s greatest minds—Galileo, Machiavelli, and more. Michelangelo’s tomb, designed by Vasari, was adorned with figures representing Painting, Sculpture, and Architecture, the arts he mastered in life.
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| Christmas Markets of Florence |
After paying our respects, we stepped into the festive square outside, where Florence’s Christmas markets offered mulled wine and European-style bagels.
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| Leather Markets |
The evening ended with more leather shopping, a reminder that Florence is not just a museum of the past, but a living, breathing city where history and daily life intertwine.
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