The city of Florence has had an enormous impact on my life. Its remarkable history captivated me in my younger years, a passion that still grips my soul. I have stayed in or near Florence many times since 1985 but have not visited her since 2011. I long to return to this great city in the near future.
Florence, for many, is the essence of Italy, the starting point before branching out to smaller towns or less visited regions. The centre of Renaissance humanism, poetry, art, architecture, and manners, Florence’s past has affected the Italian way of life, its view of itself, as well as the future of art and history.
Despite the crowds, a visit to Il Duomo ( Il cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore) is a must. I often experience a peculiar Stendhalsimo or Florence disorder that causes rapid heartbeat, light heartedness and confusion when wandering about this cathedral. In the 1980s, busy traffic roared around the road surrounding Il Duomo. Things had changed dramatically by 2000. This remarkable building is often in restauro, maintaining its glory for the future.
Mischa Bella or Lisa Gherardini, waits for me on the Ponte Vecchio. The past coincides with the future often in my experience.
A gold boutique on Ponte Vecchio, the view through the window blinds me, the gaudy gems eclipsed by the light and shapes that inspired Renaissance artists.
For lovers of Florence.
This week’s Daily Post photo challenge is Future and I opportunistically share with you some pictures of my Florentine past, in the hope that I may return there soon.
ALMOST ITALIAN 
Really nice Photos. If I could find a “like button” I would click it. Appreciate your work!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
There should be a like button- I think if you open the post up It will appear at the base. Thanks Frank.
LikeLike
Hmm, now I can’t see that like button, though some have found it. Where on earth did it go!
LikeLike
Top right hand corner.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s almost 20years since I visited Florence, I’m well overdue for a return journey. Beautiful pics and lovely memories Francesca
LikeLiked by 1 person
Love.
LikeLike
I can tell you need to go there , my dear friend.
LikeLike
I do hope you get back to this wonderful city very soon. Don’t put it off too long!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I need to do this soon, very soon.
LikeLiked by 1 person
For sure, Francesca.
LikeLike
You may already have the link to this webcam, but if not, enjoy a live feed from Florence: https://www.skylinewebcams.com/en/webcam/italia/toscana/firenze/ponte-vecchio.html
LikeLike
Nice link Signora. Grazie.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hope you revisit the city where my wife’s dad was born soon!
LikeLike
I was there yesterday…in the rain. I never tire of beautiful Florence.
LikeLike
Jealousy waves.
LikeLike
I hope you get back there soon. I visited there in 1985 and sadly haven’t returned as yet. One day! That view from the gold store is breathtaking ..wow. Hugs
LikeLiked by 3 people
To think Julie, we were there in the same year!
LikeLiked by 3 people
Oh imagine if we had dined there at a cafe eating fresh pasta and sipping on Prosecco 😄
LikeLiked by 3 people
Beautiful, Francesca! Your words and photos make me want to go…to return after 35 years. I hardly remember the whole tour, but we went by car for the whole summer. All the way from Sweden. Thank you for being as passionate about it – it brings back memories. Hope you will return to visit!
LikeLiked by 3 people
And I hope you do too Leya. It’s not so far from Sweden. Can you imagine travelling for 20 hours by jet for an Australian? I hate air travel and so this time, I must stay for months.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Ah, I know about long flights…awful. Stay – and enjoy!
LikeLiked by 3 people
Stunning architecture! Not sure if we have progressed at all when you see how these beautiful buildings managed to get built based purely on skill and hard yakka.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Amazing skill, and a timeless aesthetic sense. I must get back there.
LikeLiked by 3 people
The Duomo is quite breathtaking…
LikeLiked by 2 people
There is quite simple no place on earth like Florence. It is my favorite destination, Francesca, and I know that I’ll be going back there again one day. Maybe we’ll meet for a caffè? 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people