A continuation of time in Florence
Trip Start
Jun 07, 2007
1
10
12
Trip End
Sep 12, 2007
Florence,
Italy
Sunday, August 19, 2007
I went to the Davanzati Palace this morning, a medieval house that, according to the website (http://www.museumsinflorence.com/musei/palazzo_davanzati.html) "represents an interesting example of 13th century home showing the transition stage from the medieval tower house to the Renaissance building." What that translates to in practical terms is that the house is the most Escher-esque construction I've seen. From the central courtyard, arches rise over staircases that turn back upon themselves, and windows and doors present themselves almost at random in the oddly-shaped rooms. I'll post photos, as soon as I have a chance.
After the palace and a quick bite to eat, I took a bus to Fiesole
House of Escher
. Fiesole is a small town in the hills overlooking Florence, and I like to think of it as Florence's overlooked older sister. She may not flash with the jewels of Renaissance genius, but she possesses an amazing Roman amphitheatre and a large archeological site with a Longobard necropolis, Roman baths, and Roman and Etruscan temples (built almost on top of each other). The ticket to the archeological site also included admission to a small Renaissance museum (nothing to the Uffizi or the Accademia), and to a garden a few kilometers outside of town. The garden was almost achingly beautiful, a set of terraces carved out in boxwood and roses set before a fountain and a small contemplation pool, all looking over the breathtaking vista of Florence. I could have stayed there for hours on end, just sitting and looking. It's a beautiful place to dream. 
