Firenze

At 9:40 am we departed from Roma Termini Station and arrived in Florence shortly after eleven.  After checking into Hotel Giada (a beautiful hotel right around the corner from San Lorenzo) we went straight to the Laurentian Library designed by Michelangelo.  Here is an image of the courtyard outside of the library. This courtyard is surrounded by the monastery which was used for San Lorenzo which is adjacent to it.

Below is an image of the interior of the Laurentian Library.  This library was used by the Medici family in Florence, and designed by Michelangelo.  It is designed in the Mannerist style which plays with Classical elements.

Despite the rainy weather, we were able to go to the Piazza della Santissima Annuziata.  Shown below is the Ospedale degli Innocenti (Hospital of the Innocents) which was originally designed by Filippo Brunelleschi as a children's orphanage. 

In the center of Florence lies Santa Maria del Fiore.  This is the most ornate church I have ever seen.  When seeing it for the first time, every single one of our mouths fell,  pictures just do not do this building justice.  The detailing is spectacular and this Church was the highlight of my visit in Florence. 

Climbing up Brunelleschi's dome was quite the challenge! We climbed the stairs in between the two layers of masonry and upon reaching the top had the most beautiful view of Florence below. 

In front of Santa Maria del Fiore sits the Battistero di San Giovanni or Baptistery of Saint John.  The North doors facing the church seen below were designed by Lorenzo Ghiberti.  They contain 28 panels that tell the story of the Old Testiment. 

Although I do not have pictures, we also had the opportunity to go into the Church and Old Sacristy of San Lorenzo. (Brunelleschi)  On the opposite end of the church is the New Sacristy designed by Michelangelo.   Later that evening we went to the Galleria dell'Academia and it was there that I saw "The David" by Michelangelo.  What an amazing statue!  We studied the Palazzo Strozzi shown below for a short while before heading into the Uffici Gallery.  This gallery houses some of the greatest artwork in the world, including pieces done by Leonardo Da Vinci, Michelangelo, Raffaello, Bellini, Botticelli, etc.  

A group dinner was held at Trattoria Bordino on Via Stracciatella, where I had my first Fiorentine Steak.    Delicious steak, salad, potatoes, wine, and even a creame caramel desert made quite the ending to our time in Florence.  It was a great two days, despite my developing cold.  I went to the Farmachia and got some medicine, and after dinner I was exhausted and slept the best I have in a while.