Classical Florence in the Modern Day

by Maggie Issa (Australia)

Making a local connection Italy

“Andiamo! Or as you say in the English, let’s go!” said Giuliana as she led us into the crowded room. She had told us about him but this was the moment we would see him for the first time. As I walked through the crowd to get a closer look, I was struck by his commanding presence and sculpture’s exquisite detail – the laughter lines on his face, the accentuated leg muscles, the veins protruding from his hands. My day began a few hours ago in Florence’s Piazza San Marco. My friend and I were the only Aussies in a motley crew of tourists from more countries than an international buffet at the local RSL. Giuliana arrived looking as fashionable and Italian as I expected. With her Gucci sunglasses propped on her head and her Versace scarf twirling in the breeze, she looked like she had stepped off the runway at Milan Fashion Week. She introduced herself and announced in accented English that we were about to be transported into the Renaissance era. We made our way to Florence Cathedral, an intimidating yet intricately designed church. At approximately 115 metres tall and with a large, recognisable dome, it dominates the piazza and shows Florence who’s boss. The façade is made of green, white and red marble and the walls are crowded with elaborate arches, statues and carvings. The church took 140 years to complete the vision created by Arnolfo di Cambio in 1294. It was humbling to stand in front of a building that was first imagined over 700 years ago. “Now we go to one of the best places to eat in Firenze!” said Giuliana as she led us to an alfresco pizza place full of people enjoying the summer breeze. “If you don’t like-a pizza, you can go over there to have a pasta.” I opted for pizza and didn’t regret it - the Margherita pizza smelt of fresh olive oil and peppery basil. As I took a bite, the sweet tomato juices dribbled down my chin and the delicate, milky mozzarella created an oozy, stretchy mess. After our mouth-watering meal, we strolled over to the Galleria dell’Accademia, home to some of the world’s most famous art. Giuliana fleetingly named some of the works housed there and then mentioned the pièce de résistance that we were frothing at the mouth to see – Michelangelo’s David. “Most people are surprised at how small he is” she warned. Immediately, I was a little disappointed. Wasn’t he supposed to be a mammoth of a sculpture considering his reputation? ”But you decide for yourselves eh?” she added and led us in with a loud and excited “Andiamo!”