Introduction
Florence is one of those cities that begs to be photographed.
Every warm terracotta roof, 13th century building, and sun-soaked piazza feels like its own little piece of art. Plus, the city is surrounded by rolling mountains that rival the Appalachians back home.
During my recent trip, I felt a constant tug-of-war between my desire to be fully present and my desire to capture the moment.
In this photo journal, I’m sharing five of my favorite shots from the trip. However, know that for every image there was a fashionable stranger who went undocumented.
Golden Hour at Piazzale Michelangelo
Piazzale Michelangelo is a 30-minute walk from the city center, but the walk is straight up a winding mountain road so I suggest booking a taxi. This spot, though incredibly popular with tourists, offers beautiful views of the Arno river, Ponte Vecchio, Palazzo Vecchio, and the Duomo.
We visited Piazzale Michelangelo at golden hour, which is the period leading up to sunset. The lighting was incredible, and I used the crowds to frame the view of the city below.
The State of David
Michelangelo’s Statue of David is a 17-foot sculpture carved from a single, previously rejected block of Carrara marble. Michelangelo dedicated three years to creating this masterpiece.
Check out my previous post “Musings About Michelangelo’s Statue of David: Defending Man-Made Art in The Age of AI” for more depth on this bucket-list experience.
The Duomo
Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, known simply as “The Duomo,” is one of the largest Catholic churches in the world. Consecrated in 1436, it is widely regarded as one of the greatest masterpieces of Gothic art and the first Italian Renaissance. This is a magnificent building, and it felt like it went on forever.
If you’re interested in a tour of the inside, check out this option for roughly $25 per person.
Ponte Vecchio
Ponte Vecchio is an open-air bridge market with world-famous jewelers and goldsmiths. Notably, it was also the only bridge in Florence that survived World War II.
This was a really fun market to walk through. If, like me, you aren’t interested in dropping thousands of euros on a souvenir, you can make a game out of trying to find the most gaudy piece for sale.
Conclusion
These five photos are just a glimpse into the stunning mountain views and deep-rooted history that make Florence feel so alive.
As always, there were countless other scenes I didn’t manage to capture, but maybe that’s part of the city’s charm. Florence invites you to be present, to look up, and to let beauty surprise you around every corner.
I hope these snapshots inspire you to wander a little slower the next time you find yourself in a timeless city like Florence.