Today was our second full day in Florence (May 21st).  Again we were up and out early to explore a different area of the city.  The two highlights of my day were climbing up the Duomo  for a panoramic view of Florence and a visit to a Violin makers' shop.   

This shot was taken early in the morning before a lot of street traffic.  

Walking towards the Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore or the Duomo.  Giotto's  Campanile (the tall/straight building) is a free-standing campanile that is part of the complex of the Florence Cathedral on the  Piazaa del Duomo.   The tower is one of the showpieces of the Florentine Gothic architecture with its design by Giotto, its rich sculptural decorations and the marble coating. The height of the tower is 277.9 feet. 

On the last afternoon  of the trip, I revisited the Duomo and took a few more pictures. It was very warm and sunny compared to my first visit .  I included a few of the photos which show a little more detail of the buildings.   I don't think I could ever get tired at looking at this architecture.

Now back to my story of our second day in Florence where we climbed the 463 steps of the Duomo.  This shot was taken on the way up.  This painting is The Last Judgement (1572-79).  Giorgio Vasari was responsible for executing the painting but he died in 1574.  Federico Zuccaro completed the frescoes in 1575-79.   I had no idea was frescoes meant so I looked it up- it is a painting done rapidly in watercolor on wet plaster on a wall or ceiling so that the colours penetrate the plaster and become fixed as it dries.  This method was used in Roman times by the great masters of the Italian Renaissance including Giotto, Masaccio and Michelangelo.  

So I managed to make it up all of the 463 steps(and no I did not count)  which was no easy task.  The steps  seemed to wind  and curve forever, always going up.  Actually towards the end it was almost like we were climbing up ladders.  There was no space for more than one person at a time so if you met someone coming the opposite way it was tricky- at least at certain areas, there were some spaces where you could squeeze in and let the other person pass you by.  The climb certainly is not recommended for anyone who gets at all claustrophobic.  Was it worth it- you bet as we were all rewarded with a 360 degree view of Florence.  

	Various views overlooking Florence taken from the observation area on top.

 It is hard to see but there are actually people on top of the Bell Tower.  I didn't have a chance to climb the 414 steps but I was told you get the same awesome view only  including the Duomo.   

A view of the hills of Florence.  There wispy type clouds/fog  made the photo somewhat mystical.  

Meet Megan Hammond who joined our group all the way from Adelaide, Australia.  Megan is  a part-time professional wedding photographer.  I was hoping that some of her talent  would rub off on me.

After leaving the Duomo, we headed out to find some more interesting scenes.  I was trying to figure out why these women were posing in front of the statue and then I saw the collection box and realized that the statute was actually a person, very cleverly made up.  

Shortly afterwards I came across another "statute".  It still took a minute for me to figure out that this was a real person.

We walked in the area of the Piazzale degli Uffizi.  The square was full of artists.  

This artist was not too pleased when a few of us took his picture.  Then Jed went up to speak to him and the next thing we new we were all best friends.  His work was excellent and a few people in our group bought  some.  He ended up leaving all of his art work where it was and taking us to one of his favourite restaurants for lunch (off the beaten path).  It probably only took us about five minutes to get there but we were amazed that he just left everything without anyone watching it.  

Meet Gretchen Taylor (Seattle) another member of our group who almost  always had a smile on her face.  Gretchen  calls herself a street photographer and she is an expert in this area.  Before I even realized there was a shot to be taken, Gretchen had already got it.  When I saw some of her pictures I was wondering where I was at the time even though I knew I was with her.  Did I mention that you have to be very fast and observant when it comes to street photography?  

Meet-... I have no idea but he was outside taking a break from his work.    

Back to a different kindy of scenery.

I never got tired of the colourful buildings of Florence.  It was a pretty cloudy day today which brought the colours out.

I could tell that everyone in the group were starting to miss their pets as we were taking pictures of pretty much all of the dogs and cats we passed in the streets.    

Everyone was stopping to photograph the flower truck so I stopped to take pictures  the photographers at work.  Meet Beth Lehman, the front and centre photographer(Hopefully, I will have a picture of her face in another blog).  Beth is a "fine art" photographer and her work is stunning.   I wasn't at all surprised when I found out she  has showed her work in several  exhibitions..   I certainly had high standards to follow with this group of photographers! 

I took a quick peak in this church as a wedding was in progress.

One last picture taken beside the river.    I'm jumping a head a bit because this photo and the last one were actually taken on the last day of our trip when we were back in Florence and had a free afternoon there.   My next blog will cover on of the famous violin makers of Florence.