Roman street scenes

Photos;
1. Note the license plate on this little fiat!
2. See the Roman city logo, on this police box, Romulus and Remus. Romulus was the founder of Rome. Legend says that he and his brother, Remus, were orphaned and brought up by a she wolf.
3. A couple of centurion guards, waiting for a photo opportunity!

Cheers,
Jenni

Rome

We arrived in Rome yesterday.
This morning we chose to go on a city tour to see the sights.
It was a double decker bus, a 2-day pass for E15 each and the type of bus that you can jump on/off at various stops.Not bad value.

Photo 1.
We saw The Colosseum, a "noble wreck in ruinous perfection" said Byron
It used to seat over 50,000 bloodthirsty spectators who revelled in the spectacle of gladiators fighting to the death!
Photo 2.
Ruins of the Ancient Roman Forum.
Photo 3.
The Trevi fountain.
This flamboyant rococo-style fountain was designed in 1762 by Nicolo Salvi.It's central figure is the sea-god Neptune standing astride a giant shell drawn by winged horses led by Tritons. One horse is placid, the other agitated, symbolizing calm and stormy seas.
The fountain was beautiful, but oh so crowded, however I did throw a coin in to the fountain over my left shoulder. Apparently this means I will come back!

We saw so much today and once again walked until our feet were aching, there is just so much to see! Not too sure if some things will be closed tomorrow or not.
The Sistine Chapel is CLOSED tomorrow, some type of holiday, and we leave on Sunday morning so will not be able to see it. I was SO disappointed, so here's hoping that coin works!
Cheers for now,

Jenni

Doors and door knobs, Florence

Photos;

1. This first photo is a church, re-built in the 17th Century. It was formerly the headquarters of the Ciompi or wool-carders.
At the two sides of the 16th Century doorway with it's broken pediment, you can still see carved in stone the carding comb and the rack, the insignia of the corporation.
At one time filled with works of art, the church was later closed to the public and turned into a workshop.

2. A very unusual iron handle.

3. This door bell is recessed in what looks like a miniature marble bath. To ring the bell, you pull out the button in the centre which is attached to a string.

There are just so many interesting doors and door knobs in Florence.
Even the plainer ones are beautiful to me.
All the doors are massive, I guess a smaller one would look rather lost on these impressive and tall apartment blocks. ( most in this street are 3 stories high)

Ciaou,
Jenni

Street Scenes of Florence

Cheers jenni

Photos from Florence

Photos;
1. A picture of Brunellesschi's cupola del duomo (cathedral dome) on the Cathedral of Florence, an engineering marvel.
2. The Ponte Vecchio bridge, the oldest bridge in the city, built as it is now in 1345. The little row of houses on either side are jewelry (mostly gold) shops.
Above the houses, on the upstream side of the bridge, is Vasari's corridor, built by Vasari so Cosimo could go from Palzzo Pitti to Palace Vecchio, a "secret" corridor.
A local pharmacy, note the old sign .

Cheers for now,
Jenni

Palazzo Vecchio

Today we went to see the Palazzo Vecchio, originally the seat of city government since the 1300's now a museum.
The Medici dukes turned the medieval building into a Renaissance palace in the 1500's filling it with art and frescoes that still grace it's labyrinth of rooms.
The building dominates the Piazza Della Signoria. It looks almost fortress like, with it's high walls and soaring 94m high tower.
I was delighted to see a small tour of little children, they looked to be only 3 or 4 years old learning about art in their town with the help of a guide and a puppet- very sweet.

Photos are;
1. Palazzo Vecchio in the Piazza Della Signoria.
2. The internal front courtyard.
3. A frescoe on an internal wall.
4 (below) The 450 year old floor. Note the heraldic device of Cosimo de' Medici(1519-1574)a turtle with a sail.Cosimo 1 was appointed head of the family when only 17 years old. He the became Grand Duke of Tuscany in 1569.

Cheers until next time,
Jenni

A Court-yard apartment in Florence.

We arrived in Florence yesterday, the weather grey and drizzling with rain.
We walked from the railway station down bumpy, cobbled streets to find our accommodation on the via San Zanobi.
Entrance to the main house is through these magnificent doors (see photo).
We then walk through the house belonging to Daniella and Roberto and their 3 children, to our sweet and surprisingly spacious courtyard apartment.
The apartment is decorated with eclectic pieces from all over the world, as Daniella and Roberto have been serious travellers over the last 12 years.
Down the end of the street is a supamercato (supermarket) which was appreciated.
Apparently, via San Zanobi used to be the location of Michelangelo's workshop, although , unfortunately there is no sign of it today.

Photos,
1. Courtyard apartment.
2. Via San Zanobi
3. Doors through to main house.
4. A painting over our bed

Cheers for now,
Jenni