Invitation To Italy, Vignettes-5

Chapter 13 Florence, Fiesole, Arezzo

Florence … We’ve spent about three weeks here during five different years and have spent time driving, parking, walking all over Florence, admiring, complaining, enjoying, viewing with alarm — all those emotions we have about this ancient city.

From high above the city, the narrow congested streets are lined with tall old buildings with green shutters and sloping eaves. In many respects Florence appears to still be a busy mediaeval town.

Fiesole … we looked over the Arno River Valley with the domes and towers of Florence spread out below, especially the Campanile and the huge dome of Santa Maria del Fiore.

Chapter 14 San Gimignano, to Siena

San Gimignano … City of towers, … Ivy, shrubs, and grass grow from the moist chinks and crevices of the towers, so they seemed molded with age. The city is still enclosed within venerable walls and is guarded by three fortified gates.

Siena … The Piazza del Campo, Siena’s civic center, must be the most outstanding city “square” in Europe. … come upon the Campo suddenly, to be swept at once into its elegant beauty. Eleven streets lead into the sea shell, or fan shaped plaza and it slopes down toward Palazzo Pubblico, Siena’s city hall

The fairest tower in Italy has borne witness to six centuries of Siena’s history. Like no tower in the world, a graceful flight of fancy caught in brick and stone, Torre del Mangia soars above the Palazzo Pubblico (Town-hall), in Plaza del Campo.

Chapter 15 From Montalcino to Rome

Montalcino … A craftsman in a shop on Montalcino’s main street assumes the role of Geppetto, and makes six-inch copper Pinocchios with movable arms.

Orvieto … a steady rain storm that increased to a downpour just about the time they closed the store for noon-time siesta. Wow, did we get soaked.

Some museum buildings house beautiful works of art, Orvieto’s Cathedral building itself is a beautiful work of art. … No Cathedral — make that no building — that we have seen displays such detail of art and structure.