I returned to Florence to sample the excellent views of the city from Piazzale Michelangelo and walk around the church of San Miniato al Monte. Then I proceeded back down to Palazzo Pitti via the streets and quiet terraces around Porta San Miniato, Costa di San Giorgio and Forte di Belvedere.

Background

Situated on a hill near where the city ends and the countryside begins, Piazzale Michelangelo is easily recognised by the statue of David standing in the middle of the square overlooking the city below. However, most visitors come to the square to soak up the excellent view of the city. The sun had also broken through the clouds, allowing me to spot the bridges along the Arno River and clearly make out the details of the Campanile of Palazzo Pitti, the huge dome and belltower of the Florence Duomo and the church of Santa Croce. From such an advantageous viewpoint, I was able appreciate the city of Florence as a whole.

A few minutes away and a few steps further up, San Miniato al Monte is on a higher elevation than Piazza Michelangelo. Its simple, but bold Romanesque marble facade is decorated with a mosaic of Christ, the Virgin and St Minias. From here, there are views of the tuscan countryside and terraces as well as the very vague silhouette of Forte di Belvedere cast in the setting sun.

As it was getting late, I made a start for the area of Oltrano where the Palazzo Pitti and the Boboli Gardens were located. I took a route that would take me through the narrow streets of Via Del Monte alle croci, Via Belvedere to Forte di Belvedere before finally reaching Costa di San Giorgio. Hopefully before sunset I would reach Palazzo Pitti and the Boboli Gardens, but I knew time was against me as the windy streets were already getting dark.

Technical

Canon 28-90 USM zoom lense. Kodak Elitechrome 100. Canon A20 Powershot digital camera