Florence: Galleria dell’Accademia, All’Antico Vinaio, and Piazza della Repubblica

Mom and me with Michelangelo’s David

Day Three was a Sunday – the first Sunday of November, sooo all the museums were free! After a bit of discussing, Koen, Tamar, my mom and I decided on Galleria dell’Accademia, most famous for housing Michelangelo’s David. We left early in the morning and luckily the line wasn’t too bad!

Koen and I really love sculpture and were looking forward to the museum. Although David is very impressive, we were most in awe of Michelangelo’s 4 sculptures named “The Prisoners”. These are the unfinished sculptural works of Michelangelo. It’s more than just a glimpse into the process. You can’t help but feel a bit emotional, viewing, as the Accademia puts it, “the struggle of man to free the spirit from matter”. The figures are visibly trying to break free of the mold. It’s now being debated if the sculptures were deliberately left incomplete – but that’s something we’ll never know.

Galleria dell’Accademia

“The Rape of the Sabines” Giambologna, 1582: the whole group was carved from a single block of marble and invites the observer to move around the statue and offers infinite view points

The hallway displaying The Prisoners, leading to David

Hall of the Prisoners, leading to David

The Prisoners: “The Young Slave” Michelangelo, 1530-1534

The Prisoners: “The Awakening Slave” Michelangelo, 1520 – 1523

The Prisoners: “The Atlas” Michelangelo, 1530 – 1534

The Prisoners: “The Bearded Slave” Michelangelo, 1530 – 1534

“St. Matthew” Michelangelo, 1506

“Palestrina Pièta” Michelangelo, 1555

“David” Michelangelo, 1501 – 1504

Gipsoteca Bartolini, a 19th Century Hall

Quick selfie with my nephew in the Galleria dell’Accademia

After the museum we headed further into the center of Florence. We revisited the Via dei Neri for the best sandwiches from All’Antico Vinaio. Luckily we arrived just after they opened, so we didn’t have to wait too long in their infamous lines. The guys preparing our sandwiches were so nice and friendly – but don’t ask for anything ridiculous because they won’t allow it! We had a very picky older American guy in front of us and he was literally refused his requests. For instance he asked for oil and vinegar, but the guy said okay, I’ll put some oil on it but no vinegar. Haha. Luckily we were interested in the recommended sandwiches and were happily accomodated. We must have done something right, because when it came time to pay, we were only charged 2 euros for the bottle of wine!

Crowded Cathedral Square

The beauty of the Cathedral and Bell Tower never got old

Palazzo Vecchio

Piazza della Signoria

All’Antico Vinaio

3 La Porchettas and 1 Manolo’s Sandwich

Inside All’Antico Vinaio

Manolo’s Sandwich and La Porchetta

Excited to eat!

Getting Edward settled before we can begin eating 🙂

A little bit sleepy from waking up early, then gorging ourselves on huge sandwiches and wine, Koen and I needed coffee so we convinced my mom and Tamar to join us for a quick pick-me-up at Ditta Artigianale. Once finished, we headed to the Piazza della Repubblica where we had our obligatory daily gelato at Venchi. We were also able to see the famous Porcellino aka “Little Boar” wishing fountain at the Mercato Nuovo. To quote Wikipedia, “Visitors are encouraged to place a coin in the mouth of the boar after rubbing its nose, and superstition implies that the wish will be granted if the offering tumbles through the grate whence the water flows. The slope of the grate is such that most coins do fall through, and are collected by the city.” We didn’t make any wishes, but had fun watching.

Ditta Artigianale

Waiting for our coffee

Latte Macchiato

Mercato Nuovo

Porcellino

Venchi for gelato

So many choices!

Piazza della Repubblica

Mom with her grandson and children in law

Having a little chat with Edward

Now time again for a quick drink! I mean, when in Italy… We were in the fashionable area of Florence waiting for the Casa dei Tessuti, a luxurious fabric shop, to open. We decided on Colle Bereto and were seated dangerously close the champagne display in the window. There were a few scares, but luckily no broken bottles! After our drinks, the store was open and we were in my mom’s heaven. The selection available is unbelievable! My mom was helped by a charming Italian and of course couldn’t leave without a beautiful fabric. Also worth noting – Princess Beatrix of the Netherlands is a regular here!

Colle Bereto

Time for a drink

Enjoying two white Chiantis

Casa dei Tessuti

Fabric heaven!

After shopping we split up. Tamar and my mom headed back to the apartment while Koen and I explored a bit more seeing the Basilica di Santa Croce, Great Synagogue of Florence, and Piazza Massimo d’Azeglio.

As a side note: My dad and brother didn’t join us for the morning and afternoon. They were off on their own adventure – cheering at the Stadio Artemio Franchi, home of the ACF Fiorentina (Florence’s soccer team). So when we were home we got to see them with their purple team scarves!

Piazza Santa Croce

Basilica di Santa Croce

Peaking inside the Basilica di Santa Croce

National Central Library

Sun setting over the Arno

View of Oltrarno

Great Synagogue of Florence

Piazza Massimo d’Azeglio

English Cemetery

Cimitero della Misericordia

Detail at the Cimitero della Misericordia

Time again to prepare dinner. For Day Three Koen and I prepared calzones with a red wine tomato sauce for dipping. Yum!

Edward had lots of energy when we arrived back at the apartment!

Still taking advantage of the great weather - calzones outside!

Still taking advantage of the great weather – enjoying our calzones outside!

Koen and I returned to the center after dinner for some organic wine gelato from Gelateria Edoardo. They offer a beautiful view of the cathedral while you enjoy your treat.

Another great day!

Edoardo, organic gelato

I went with the zabaione and Koen with the Chianti!

I went with the zabaione and Koen with the red wine sorbet

Gelato with a view!

Passing the Palazzo Medici Riccardi on the way back

Once we reach the Church of San Marco, we know we’re almost home!

An American in Antwerp

Florence: Galleria dell’Accademia, All’Antico Vinaio, and Piazza della Repubblica

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