Sunday at Forte di Belvedere........

 We missed yesterday's impromptu excursion so after sleeping in and having a leisurely breakfast we head out for Forti di Belvedere.  Our group took two buses yesterday but Rigmor and I are convinced we can walk.  The whole day is free so we amble around looking in windows.  If you are a six year old girl in our family you each got a very cute top today.

Before we begin the climb we must first cross the Ponte Vecchio, the street of gold. Every shop window is filled with beautiful jewelry, unique pieces wrought from precious metal and stones.  We just keep on walking......

                                                               A little entertainment

The climb is very steep and we understand why the bus was a good idea yesterday. But we have become veritable mountain goats this trip and we plug along enjoying the church bells on a Sunday morning.



This fortification served to defend Florence from external threats, but also to protect the Medici family in times of uprising.  Situated on a high promontory it overlooks the skyline of Florence across the Arno, the Pitti Palace and Boboli Gardens to the left with Fiesole looming over all.




  The Pitti Palace and Neptune's Fountain


                                                               Boboli Gardens

Florence is currently enjoying a large scale exhibition of Antwerp's Jan Fabre, one of the most important figures on the international contemporary art scene.  Seventy works strong, the exhibition is divided between the Piazza della Signoria, where a giant bronze turtle reigns, the Palazzo Vecchio and here at Forti di Belvedere, where a number of works in bronze and wax are scattered over the grounds.  The bonus for this morning is that the entrance is free.

                                                             Field of Battle with pieces of armor
                                                             
                                                        Looking toward Fiesole


 Cialis Italian Style



We prowl the grounds admiring the unusual sculpture silhouetted against the darkening sky and the backdrop of the jewel box that is Florence.  Certainly a very impressive morning spent out in nature. We were able to make our descent before the rain begins to fall, giving us an excuse to duck into shops for protection.

By the time the deluge starts, it's time for lunch so we spend a pleasant hour over cinghialle, wild boar ragu, before we splash our way back to the convent.  I'm not sure what's happening tonight but something always does.........


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