Celebrating an anniversary
Nigel Bullock retired from Addenbrooke's Hospital Cambridge in 2010, having worked for 25 years as a Consultant Urological Surgeon. Since his retirement, he has edited the BAUS website. He writes:
My wife and I celebrated our Golden Wedding anniversary in March 2023. We had originally planned to have a large, family get-together but, for one reason or another, that didn't happen. At my younger son's suggestion, we spent 5 days in Firenze (Florence), flying out of London City aiport and staying in a beautiful city-centre hotel, overlooking the river Arno, just a stone's throw from the iconic Ponte Vecchio & within easy walking distance of museums and top restaurants.
Duomo Di Santa Maria del Fiore: the cathedral
(click the image for a full-screen version)
Construction of the cathedral and its sacristy (in the foreground) began in 1296 and was eventually completed
in 1436. The external structure is stunning and the interior view from the dome is worth the admission fee on its own.
© NIGEL BULLOCK 2023 - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
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Palazzo Pitti & Giardino Boboli: above Firenze
(click the image for a full-screen version)
The Palazzo Pitti, and the Bobboli gardens behind the palace, are busy but relaxing and require a bit of a climb
after a short walk across the Ponte Vecchio. The gardens provide a great view of the city.
© NIGEL BULLOCK 2023 - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
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Florentine masks: just like those in Venice
(click the image for a full-screen version)
Just like Venice, Firenze has its own festival each year and these carnival masks can be found on sale in
specialist shops thoughout the city centre. They are not, of course, designed for toursists !
© NIGEL BULLOCK 2023 - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
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Bronze Pig of Firenze: aka Il Porcellino
(click the image for a full-screen version)
This bronze, fountain figure was sculpted and cast by Pietro Tacca shortly before 1634.
Visitors put a coin into the boar's mouth for good luck - the coin falls through a grating below -
and they rub the boar's snout to ensure a timely return to Florence,
© NIGEL BULLOCK 2023 - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
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Astronomical telescopes: Museo Galileo
(click the image for a full-screen version)
There are at least 30 museums in the centre of Firenze but one of the most spectacular, almost next door to the famous Uffizi Gallery, is a collection featuring experimental & astronomical instruments, all belonging to Galileo.
© NIGEL BULLOCK 2023 - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
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Modern Sculpture: Museo Marino Marini
(click the image for a full-screen version)
There are some stunning modern museums, as well as the seasoned Uffizi and Galleria. This museum
contains some stunning exhibitis - some of the other modern museums, however, seemed, to my untrained eye,
to be having a laugh at our expense !
© NIGEL BULLOCK 2023 - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
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Night-time on the bridge: the Ponte Vecchio
(click the image for a full-screen version)
One of several bridges crossing the river Arno, the Ponte Vecchio is unique in having both sides of the
thoroughfare crammed with jewellery shops. Business carries on into the evening and the backs of
the shops overhang the river
© NIGEL BULLOCK 2023 - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
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Michelangelo's David: Galleria dell'Accademia
(click the image for a full-screen version)
This has to be the crowning glory of any visit to Firenze. Whilst the Uffizi is brimming with medieval/Renaissance paintings (including "The Birth of Venus"), this statue is incredible in its anatomical accuracy and attention to detail.
© NIGEL BULLOCK 2023 - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
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