Firenze #2

The Grand Old Duke of Tuscany

Last night had dinner across the Arno. Quite a cool restaurant in a cellar with curved brick roof. Oh how I enjoyed the Tuscan sausage cooked in white beans!

Scary fountain piece

This morning we headed off with general intention of going to Santa Croce. First call St Lorenzo. A really cool church. Quite plain but with 12 side altars each with a large painting ranging from 14th century through to 20th century (Annigoni). Sadly no photos allowed and the church comes equipped with a small army of reasonably fierce looking women armed with walkie talkies who pounced on anyone looking vaguely like taking a quick snap.

SS Annunziata

Next stop Santissima Annunziata. A total contrast to the previous church. Absolutely ornate including amazing hanging silver vessels - many of which are in need of a jolly good polish I must say. Julia and Sare were befriended by a local chap in pseudo clerical robes who told them about the church, other points of interest and then gave them the card for a local pizzeria (presumably his brother Luigi's).

Santa Croce Altar Piece

Finally got to Santa Croce. A lot of restoration work going on but still gorgeous. A number of celebrity tombs - Galileo, Michelangelo, Machiavelli, Dante, Rossini and Julie Clary. Photos of the damage done in the 1966 floods quite astounding.

Michelangelo's Tomb

Came out to very cool and rain - thank heavens for the 5 euro umbrella man! Lunch and then we went our separate ways wending our ways back to the hotel via various local streets.

Tonight Giorgio's for dinner. Ahh the joys of a meal of 2 courses plus side plus bread plus water plus wine for 12 euro each! Ravioli - great; Pork - great; Spinach - surprisingly great; Local red - ok force myself.