The thing about Florence
Daydreaming as I walk the streets about Florence, I’m suddenly jolted from my daze by a man crashing into me. The church I’d been looking at is lost from my view as I quickly swing around. Recoiling, I move into a doorway just in time to avoid a second collision with another man and, as it turns out, even more. A group of about ten men run pass, knocking into pedestrians as they crush through the crowds.
Dark-skinned, probably African in origin, they have no concern for who and what they hit on the way through. They are clearly fleeing from something, although it’s not fear you sense from them… more ritual.
“Oi! Oi! (And a few more indecipherable words in Italian).”
It’s a small group of Italian policemen shouting after the Africans, although they don’t chase them too far. The aim seems to be to disturb them and move them on, rather than actually catch them. The fleeing men, you see, had been in the streets trying to sell souvenirs, jewellery and posters to the tourists.
The city of museums
The whole incident is rather innocuous in some senses but it does stand out from everything else I thought about Florence. It was a spark of action in a city that seems otherwise lifeless and sedentary.
When I say ‘lifeless’, I don’t mean the city is boring or empty – quite the opposite, in fact. What I mean is that visiting Florence feels like walking around a museum or a gallery. Every block is an exhibit… a part of history captured in a building or a statue. It is a city of history (fascinating and beautiful history) but not a living and breathing city. Its best is behind it but thankfully that best is still captivating in the present and, presumably, in the future.
The Duomo stands at the centre of Florence, the prized exhibit from which all other reference points are measured. It took almost 150 years to build and was finished in 1436, a perfect example of the classic gothic style. At one point it was the largest dome in the world.
While the Duomo seems like the highlight of the city – partly because of its size and central location – there are actually about 70 museums in Florence. They blend in with the churches and buildings of yesteryear, together creating a seemingly never-ending exhibition that one can’t ever truly finish seeing. Within the walls and under the domes of Florence are some of the finest examples of renaissance art in the world.
You visit these places but it seems like stopping in front of a glass cabinet for a few minutes. The true attraction is just being in the city itself.
This is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. For more info click here.
You can see all the UNESCO World Heritage Sites I’ve visited here.
**More things to do in Tuscany**
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Turtle, like the name suggests, likes to take things slowly. Luckily that's one of the best ways to see the world - and that's exactly what he's doing at the moment.
This is the website of travel writer, Michael Turtle. After working in broadcast journalism for a decade in Australia, Michael left Sydney to travel the world indefinitely and write about the places, people and experiences he discovers. This isn't a diary - these are real stories from the world.
24 Responses
I get what you mean about that. Everyone always raves about Florence, but when I look back on my short stop in Florence, all I remember is seeing a few famous buildings, nothing more.
To be fair, those famous buildings are lovely, but it was hard to find any real life there. I still loved the place, though, and would definitely go back again soon!
I come from Florence and I used to travel a lot around the world for fun and work. In all my trips I never found a city like that! I am not talking only about good food and beautiful buildings (they are not a few, believe me!) but it is the constant feeling to touch the history in the daily life. At the moment I am living abroad and here are what I miss mostly: colors and art&history around me. Next time you will go there, drop me a line and I will suggest to you many must-see places (apart the most famous one) and not touristic spots.
Oh, I would love to get some advice for my next trip. The history and the old buildings are amazing and I loved my time there. But it would be great to see a bit more of the current ‘real’ city as well!
When I saw Florence many years ago, I thought it looked like a movie set. Gorgeous, but it doesn’t look real!
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I’m surprised they don’t film more movies there!
Florence is such a lively city, my cousin lived there for three years during uni and loved it. Maybe you stayed too little to fully enjoy it, next time devote a bit more time. I hope I’ll be able to go myself soon, I’ve been promising myself a treat in Florence and haven’t had the chance yet!
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OK, a fair point that I’ll take on board. I guess it’s often hard as a tourist to find where the locals are hanging out. But the thing I felt about Florence is that most of the city is historic and touristy and there just didn’t seem to be too many ‘current’ places wherever I looked.
I heard Florence was the most artistic city of Italy. For some reason Italy doesn’t appeal to me all that much, but I would be willing to go just to see what the art in Florence is all about!
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You would love Florence. Such an amazing place. And if you are into art, then you would have trouble finding a better place!
One of the best places in Italy! Florence has a beautiful tourist spots where you can enjoy fully with your vacation. I would love to be here every year!
A trip every year sounds like a great idea! Hopefully you can find a time to avoid all the tourists. There are so many of them everywhere!!
The Duomo is one of the most amazing things I’ve ever seen
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Such an amazing building! And it’s just as cool to enjoy it from the inside as the outside, which I love!
Ugh — I’ve got to stop looking at all these pictures of Italy! I want to go there so badly! Great pictures, Michael!
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Just go!!!
I never realised how beautiful it is here. Everything is just like a postcard!!
Wow, it seems that Florence is a very nice place to take a vacation to. I love your pictures, they’re all so nice. Thanks for sharing!
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Thanks Byron. I hope you get a chance to go there sometime. Let me know if you need any tips.
This is my most desired city to travel too!
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Well I hope you get there sometime soon!
Italy is one of the beautiful places all over the world and it is truly nice. I love to go there and hopefully this coming summer!
I hope you manage to get there this summer. The only problem is there is too much to do! Choose wisely if you’ve only got a limited time and don’t overstretch yourself.
Interesting point about Florence being like a giant museum and consequently seeming lifeless – it *does* feel that way! Rome, on the other hand, felt bustling and full of life despite having ruins, churches, museums and attractions on every street corner. It somehow just felt more alive.
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I wonder why there’s such a difference. Obviously Rome is a much bigger city (and a capital) but it’s almost like Florence made a decision to not be so lively…