Florence Day 1: A Spectacular View from Piazzale Michelangelo

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We arrived in Florence from Pisa about four in the afternoon. First stop was check-in at the Hotel Kraft. It is a vey nice older hotel in a quiet neighborhood. I also very much liked the Italianate stye of the building. The hotel is a bit removed from the historic center of Florence We found it to be about a 12 block walk from Piazza della Repubblica at the edge if the historic center to the hotel. A real attraction of Hoel Kraft is the roof terrace. The enclosed lower level includes a dining area and lounge. Breakfast is served here and you have a wonderful view over Florence at sunrise. The open upper level of the roof terrace has an outdoor pool and deck. Outstanding views of Florence and the Arno River at all hours from here, especially at night with the illuminations.

After check-in, the first order of Florentine sightseeing was to go to the Piazzale Michelangelo overlooking the city. The Piazzale Michelangelo is a terraced scenic overlook affording a panoramic view over all of the historic center of Florence, the Arno River, and the country beyond it to Fiesole. Truly, this is a postcard view! Do not forget to bring your camera! Piazzale Michelangelo was built in 1869 when Florence was the capital of the new united Italy and many urban renewal projects were underway. I'm glad they included this one! It's the only place where you can have a full view of Florence Cathedral and of Santa Croce. A bronze copy of Michelangelo's David was installed on the terrace in 1873. Nearby is the 11th century Abbazia di San Miniato al Monte. With its view, it is a very popular church for weddings.

There is no charge for the view, but there are plenty of souvenir stands here! To reach Piazzale Michelangelo one can walk up from the Oltrarno district or come by road from the Ponte San Niccolò and the Viale Michelangelo. The latter was the route our tour bus took, which included interesting Florentine sights such as the Cimitero degli inglesi (English Cemetery) and the monument to Giuseppe Manzini, the architect of Italian unification.



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Photos

Michelangelo's David in Bronze
Piazzale Michelangelo. DSC_0135p1

The Arno and the Ponte Vecchio
View from Piazzale Michelangelo. DSC_0118p1

Basilica di Santa Croce
Basilica di Santa Croce from Piazzale Michelangelo.
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Biblioteca Nazionale Centrale di Firenze (BNCF)
View from Piazzale Michelangelo. DSC_0132

Florence Cathedral (Duomo)
Florence Cathedral (Duomo) from Piazzale Michelangelo. DSC_0115p1

Abbazia di San Miniato al Monte
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The Arno River Near Florence
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Monumento a Giuseppe Mazzini
Giuseppe Mazzini (1805-1872) was an activist for Italian unification and early advocate of a United States of Europe. DSC_0105p1

Cimitero degle Inglese - English Cemetery
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Florence from the Hotel Kraft
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The Arno from Hotel Kraft
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Hotel Kraft
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Comments

[D MJ Binkley]

Florence Duomo
An amazing piece of architecture.