The apartment I’ve rented this year in Florence is located on the Lungarno Grazie, not far from the historical center of Florence. From its tall windows, I look out at the Arno, the hills across the way, dotted with trees and villas.
Higher up, I see the Piazza Michelangelo with is panoramic view of the entire city of Florence, the Brunelleschi’s Dumo and Giotto’s bell tower.
Even further up the hill is the Basilica of San Minato al Monte at one of the highest points in the city and is among the most beautiful churches in Italy.
On the other side of the Arno, down a few blocks, is a beautiful park, where I take a picnic lunch to each day.
It was always difficult, she said, to come home. She adored Italy. Apart from everything else, it was one of the few places where one’s hopes for the future could be restored. Beautiful, unspoiled fields and hills. Great houses that families had lived in for five hundred years. It was deeply consoling. Also the general sweetness of the people. James Salter All That Is
8 comments:
What a wonderful view! Also, I love your lunchtime spot.
Meet you there for lunch tomorrow.
I find myself rather envious!!
And I, in turn, am very fortunate. I do believe it is the last time I will visit Florence. The first time I came here was 60 years ago. Then I had just graduated from high school and on a grand tour of Europe. It is time now to stay put.
Do you keep a diary about what you think might be your last visit to Florence? That bench where you take your lunch seems such a perfect place for writing. I think I would buy myself a beautiful notebook in Florence only to be used in this visit, it would always stand out on my bookshelf later.
Catherine: No, I don't keep a diary. I write when I feel like it and have something to say. But it's not really a dairy, rather it's more like a notebook of one thing or another. And in my last book, The Preoccupations, I wrote a long essay on Italy. I can send it to you if you wish. Just email me that you'd like it. Richard
What a beautiful place. I don't wonder that it has drawn you back more than once. It sounds as though you are saying goodbye to Florence. That must be hard.
Hi Linda: You are back. Yes, it is hard but it is also enough. So many memories, so many visits, such great times. Richard
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