Here is tour one....
They used these large rings to tie horses to. Also, if you peek in the left window, top right just under the blinds you can see the frescos in the shop interior.
This building is medieval because of the roof line, the uneven windows, and the holes just about the 2nd floor (american 2nd floor) where posts would have come out to support a deck.
This next building was at one time a Wool Guild - hence the sheep logo. It was then turned into a church.
Orsanmichele - once a grain market, now a church.
This is St. George who faught the dragon. 
This is a close up of under his pedistal of the dragon killing scene.
He is the favorite statue at the Orsanmichele because of this legend and the fact that his face has emotion in it. Cheers to Donatello for that- in fact it's one of the first sculptures to show facial expression - which is what made Donatello so great and unique.As he is the military saint, whenever the boys of Florence would have to go into battle, they would come and talk to George. They related to him because as he is shown here, he was not a big, muscular guy - but much more average, and young.
Here is the face that makes this statue so important. Is he pondering how he will kill the dragon, or has he just defeated the dragon? Truth be told, seeing it person you're waiting for him to turn and talk to you at any minute.
Also by Donatello, here is St. Mark. Donatello did this marble statue for the Linen Guild who owned this 'advertising' space. When they first saw it at ground level, they thought it was out of proportion and they told him to start over. He agreed for more money and asked for more time. Donatello however, never touched the statue, but after the time period lapsed he had the statue installed up in the niche before the guild saw it. They thought it looked great. Donatello had made the statue in proportion to be seen from below. He understood this, the linen guild did not and ended up spending more money for nothing.
Also by Donatello, here is St. Mark. Donatello did this marble statue for the Linen Guild who owned this 'advertising' space. When they first saw it at ground level, they thought it was out of proportion and they told him to start over. He agreed for more money and asked for more time. Donatello however, never touched the statue, but after the time period lapsed he had the statue installed up in the niche before the guild saw it. They thought it looked great. Donatello had made the statue in proportion to be seen from below. He understood this, the linen guild did not and ended up spending more money for nothing.For more details see here...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Mark_(Donatello)
Here is a sneak peak inside...luckily it was open when we were there.
Here is a sneak peak inside...luckily it was open when we were there.
This is Palazzo Strozzi. The balance on this building w/ the same size, shape, and spaced windows, along w/ the roof detailing show that this is Renaissance.
The door is HUGE so that you could enter the interior market while still on horseback.
Here is the three crescent moon crest of the Strozzi family. You can see this also on today's Strozzi wine.
Super cool and creapy She-serpant torch holder.
Another lamp.
Here is the three crescent moon crest of the Strozzi family. You can see this also on today's Strozzi wine.
Super cool and creapy She-serpant torch holder.
Another lamp.
Not another hole in the wall, but a place where the poor could get some free wine or bread.
Church of Santa Trinita.
Church of Santa Trinita.Amazing frescos were inside here. Supposedly the most well preserved complete set in Florcen, if not maybe Italy.
The white sign to the right of the window shows the water level during the great flood. They are still trying to recover all the lost history.
Palazzo Vecchio, again.
Medieval tower turned into a modern house - main entrance would have been the balcony door. They added the big ground floor entrance later.
The Duomo... so why is the Duomo cool? 1. green, pink and white marble facade. 2. it's huge. HUGE. 3. once you go inside it's super basic and simple. 4. largest cupola ever constructed - they still dont' know how he did it.
The white sign to the right of the window shows the water level during the great flood. They are still trying to recover all the lost history.
Palazzo Vecchio, again.
Medieval tower turned into a modern house - main entrance would have been the balcony door. They added the big ground floor entrance later.
The Duomo... so why is the Duomo cool? 1. green, pink and white marble facade. 2. it's huge. HUGE. 3. once you go inside it's super basic and simple. 4. largest cupola ever constructed - they still dont' know how he did it.Giotto's Campanile
The cupola
Inside the Duomo - facing back to the main entrance.
Looking towards the cupola.
Frescos on the interior cupola ceiling.
After tour 1 I had lunch at Piazza della Republica. 
The cupola
Inside the Duomo - facing back to the main entrance.
Looking towards the cupola.
Frescos on the interior cupola ceiling.
After tour 1 I had lunch at Piazza della Republica. 
Then I went on the Uffizi tour. There are NO cameras allowed, but I snapped these pics of the stairs to the basement bathrooms. They escavating the entire basement because they found Roman roads. Very cool. Moral to this story- when you go to the Uffizi go to the bathroom as soon as you pass through security and before you begin the tour.
So no pics of the great art I saw, but you can see it here...
So no pics of the great art I saw, but you can see it here...http://www.uffizi.com/
So how did all this art and history survive WWII? Hitler was a history and art lover, for one, and also made a deal w/ Mussolini not to touch the art.
