The Duomo

(formatting is still weird, couldn't tell you why)

Florence continues to amaze me. I have always romanticized Europe because of the art, history, rustic old buildings, and the different life style. Although I had a melt down the first night, I have done a complete 180 and find myself in love with this city, just like I dreamed I would. I am looking forward to making this place my home and understanding the language, public transit and how the streets work...they seem to be a little chaotic. So far, Florence has been everything I thought it would be, beautiful, charming and full of life. When wandering around, there are still little comforts from home, such as all of the American music that stores and restaurants will play, bringing me peace in a way. I firmly believe that every one should go to Europe at some point in their life, but more specifically when they are young and free of most responsibilities. Two days here and I already feel like my life has changed. (On the right is a view from the top of the Duomo)

The Duomo

Today was our last day in our first hostel, so we woke up at 8 and was out the door at 10 to find a caffe, which we did right down the street from our hostel and I had a cappuccino (obviously). From there we walked to the Duomo because the day before I discovered we could walk to the top of the dome itself. Turns out you can take a tour of the the church, around the terraces and from the terrace go up to the dome, so we did! I absolutely loved hearing all about the history of the church, the building of the Basilica  di Santa Maria del Fiore (Basilica of Saint Mary of the Flower...the Lily is the symbol of Florence) began in 1296 and it was completed in 1436. The fascade of the church is actually not the original, it was redone in the 18th century by Emilio de Fabris, however, after a flood had occurred it was discovered that the flooring inside of the church is made up of the original marble used for the original fascade.

Interior of Church Looking Down From Terrace

Yes, even in the 16th century, they recycled. Construction of the Dome began in 1420 and was completed in 1436 and remarkably only one person died in the making. From the ground to the top of the lantern and where I was able to walk up to and around measures 90 meters or 295 feet. Also, the dome is octagonal meaning that Brunelleschi had to devise a new way of constructing the dome in order to combat the forces of gravity. The fresco on the interior of the Duomo is breathtaking. It depicts The Last Judgement with Jesus sitting opposite of the devil.

Looking Up Towards the Inside of the Duomo

From the interior terrace of the dome, you can see the details of the work more clearly and I was dumbfounded to think that the Vasari's fresco begun in 1572 and was completed by Federico Zuccaro who had to sit upside down from 1568 to 1579 until this 3,600 square meter mosaic was completed. The rest of the mosaic is split up and has a variety of meanings and depictions, but those details would talk too long to explain. Inside of the church there is a variety of artwork and busts and what I found to be the most interesting is that on the aisles (sides) of the church, cultural contributions and societal ones were exemplified and in the main body of the church, spiritual contribution and importance were upheld. I love that all those years ago, society found that substantial contributions to the arts, military and writing were just as important as the spiritual. Well-roundedness was key. Also, I guess I missed it in history class but Dante is considered to be the Father of Italian language. Our tour guide must have thought we were dumb. 

View from the Exterior Terrace

View From the Top of the Duomo

Stairs we tok to get to the top and to take down

After the Duomo we ate lunch as this small restaurant right off the Piazza del Duomo. I had pizza again....I really couldn't help it. It was delicious!!! After lunch we left our first hostel and took a taxi over to our second. The driver got a little lost and frustrated with us because it was difficult to find our hostel, but we got there eventually. This hostel is about 10 mins walking distance from the center of town and right down the street from where I will be living. Still haven't found where I will be living and it looks like I am living right next to where the market is as well as where all the street venders are...glad I am used to LA and no one can hustle this. This hostel actually keeps the internet on all night which is nice and it is heated and comes with towels and a heated towel rack (fancy living). 

Once we got settled in our room we went to this really cute restaurant, however they weren't serving dinner, just wine and free appetizers... I had a glass of Chianti (SO yummy) but then I got really sleepy because I hadn't really eaten. That is something Alex and I are set on figuring out, what is custom and how you can tell if they are serving food or when they are open until. All apart of adjusting.