Day 2 in Florence

On the second day we woke up early to utilise the time properly in order to cover most of the attractions in Florence. We passed through a random street and our attention were caught on a unique exhibition on serial killer. This is the first time stumbling upon such strange museum with some interesting facts about serial killers around the globe. There was also an interesting looking wax displayed at the entrance of the museum portraying of regardless how innocent the person may look, we would never knew he might have a serial killing instinct. This museum has some wax reproductions of the world's famous serial killer such as Jack the Ripper, Ted Bundy, Charles Mason, John Wayne Gacey Jr.and many more.


United States tops the list of serial killers with 58% of the world.

You can see "David" almost everywhere in Florence. It represents the people of Florence in which David was symbolised as the warrior who brought victory for fighting with other larger cities like Rome etc. The real "David" by Michaelangelo is actually located in Accademia.

Piazza della Repubblica. It is surrounded by cafes and elegant restaurants where artists to musicians come to meet.

The arch in Piazza della Repubblica

Human statue, covered in white. Put some tips on the troll and the human statue would do some special movement or trick for you.

Talented artist drawing by the street.

You can find venetian masks here even if you are not in venice.

Passed-by the majestic Duomo again.

 Ongoing renovation to preserve one of the UNESCO World Heritage Site.

 The Bapstitery of St. John.

 Beautiful view from the top of Duomo. Can you spot Pallazzo Vecchio from here?

 I can spot Basilica of Santa Maria della Novella.

 The building with green dome is the Great Synagogue of Florence served by the Jewish.

Giotto's Campanile or bell tower.

Next we headed up to Palazzo Vecchio with plenty of statues lined up in front of this town hall. It is one of the most impressive town halls of Tuscany which overlooks Piazza della Signoria with Loggia dei Lanzi, a gallery of statues just adjacent to it.

With Fountain of Neptune.

Crystal and I in front of a traditional crest of Firenze (Florence) done in flowers.

Strong wind! Poor him! A leaf stucked on him.

A reproduction of Michaelangelo's statue, David.

Hercules and Cacus by Bartolommeo Bandinelli.

 David's backside.

 Palazzo Vicchio, the symbol of the civic power of Florence for over seven centuries.

Us with "Perseus with the head of Medusa" statue by Benvenuto Cellini

 The bridge linking Palazzo Vecchio and Galleria degli Uffizi.

 Next to Palazzo Vecchio is Loggia dei Lanzi, a gallery of statues.

 

Here we were posing in front of the statue of Menelaus supporting the body of Patroclus.

 Medici Lion statue.

Failed pose. I looked as if I were thinking instead.

Piazza della Signoria.

Just around the corner is Galleria degli Uffizi. Being one of the oldest and most famous art museums of the Western world, it is flocked with high number of tourists where waiting times can be up to five hours especially in July. It holds the world's most important collection of Renaissance art such as works by Michaelangelo, Giotto, Botticelli, Leonardo da Vinci, Perugino and Raphael. It also contains works of modern times.

The narrow street outside Galleria degli Uffizi which leads toward Arno river. The courtyard is surrounded by 28 statues representing the famous individuals of the great Florentine history.

 Donatello statue. He was an early Renaissance Italian artist and sculptor from Florence.

Leonardo da Vinci statue. Two of his painting are displayed in Galleria degli Uffizi - "The Annuciation" and "The Adoration of the Magi".

 There were a lot of painters outside Uffizi whom can draw pretty awesome self portrait. Be it animation or just the normal one, I was kinda impressed with their skills and talents especially having everything done around 15 minutes. 

 Captured some pictures of individual having their portraits being sketched. Not bad and quite similar right?

I felt something missing when I left Florence - not giving myself a try. Would love to try out having my portrait being sketched particularly in Italy next time. I hope I will return here one day again.

Exiting from Uffizi you would be able to capture some beautiful landscape picture overlooking Arno River with the famous bridge stretching over called Ponte Vecchio.

With Ponte Vecchio in the background.

A futsal field just right beside the Arno river. How cool is that idea.

 Walking through Ponte Vecchio.

 Along Ponte Vecchio is a street occupied mostly by jewellery shops. Look at all those bling blings!

 The poor students, us could only afford to do window shopping.

 Beautiful view taken from Ponte Vecchio. For your information, ponte means bridge.

 Walking along the same road along Ponte Vecchio, you would eventually see Pitti Palace or Palazzo Pitti. As the name suggested, it was built for Luca Pitti who was a rich banker. However he suffered from a substantial financial losses and he died even before the palace was completed. The Medici family bought it to be completed as the new residence for the Grand Duke of Tuscany. In 1919, the King of Italy gave away Palazzo Pitti to the nation and turned it into a museum. There is a beautiful garden called Boboli garden at the back of Pitti Palace.

It was getting pretty late at night however there were still many people walking around especially near to those attractions. Gelato was not to be missed before heading back to our hostel for a goodnight sleep. Yummy! How I wish to get to taste every single flavours!

 That's all for my post on Florence journey! Next stop- Athens in Greece! Xoxo!