Florence

Saturday 24th May

Today we went to the Uffizi Gallery. I was so awestruck that I forgot to take many pictures.

Artwork I’d studied in school was there “in person” and it was amazing to see.

I didn’t realise the gallery was so huge!

I’m not a big fan of religious art but I’m happy I’ve been able to see it.

Nothing untoward happened so I’ll just post some photos here so you get a feel for it, assuming you’ve never been.

Just about every room had ornate, over the top decorated ceilings and I did find that, after a while, they were a distraction.

The first ceiling we saw was this one and I was “wow!”

By the 10th ornate ceiling I was a bit “oh, another ornate ceiling”. Don’t get me wrong, I think they are amazing and a credit to those who designed them and created them however, the opulence was too much especially when you’re used to pale grey walls and Tasmanian oak furniture. Some may call this bland but I like it.

As much as I liked the art I was a tad overwhelmed but I was fascinated by the journey along Vasario’s Corridor which joins the Uffizi with the Pitti Palace.

Giorgio Vasari, a celebrated architect, built the corridor in 1564 for the Grand Duke Francesco I de Medici to allow him to journey from the Pitti Palace, where he lived, to his offices in the Uffizi. Nice.

The Medici family initially made their money from banking. They were widely respected for supporting the arts but their popularity was a mixed bag. Their increased power, wealth and ambition led to resentment and exile, on more than one occasion. The construction of the Vasario Corridor was not just for ease of travel to and from work but it also offered protection from unruly crowds who probably liked to voice their displeasure.

In about 2016 the corridor was renovated to upgrade things to modern standards and at this time all the paintings were removed and relocated to the Uffizi Gallery. Visitors still get to see the paintings, just not where they were. Apparently they were removed because the authorities feared losing them due to fire.

Our Uffizi day began at 9.30am and we staggered back to the hotel at 5pm.

We spent an hour wandering the streets looking for a mini mart so we could stock up on water (you get charged 5 euro per small bottle in the hotel), regular milk (so over UHT) and tissues. Off again tonight in the opposite direction as Glenys feels there is a mini mart “over that way”. I trust her direction nose, it’s been right every time so far.

We stopped for a pizza (13 euro for pizza and a drink) which was ok but the oldie who was looking after the cash register charged me a service fee. Her son argued with her (an argument is the same in any language) but she wasn’t going to be swayed so I paid the service fee. It wasn’t much but the sign read “13euro pizza + drink, no service fee”.

An early night for me but Glenys watched a Miss Marple episode, dubbed in Italian.

Tomorrow we go to the Pitti Palace.

See you!

C