After a big weekend of walking, eating, drinking, sightseeing etc in Rome, we were both knackered on Monday and Tuesday, so we didn't get a whole lot done. The weather was pretty average, so we were quite content to lounge around reading our books, watching a bit of tv on the laptop and a few games of scrabble.
Wednesday the sun finally came out, so we decided to climb the 414 steps (85 metres) of the bell tower which rises to the right of the Duomo. It was designed by Giotto di Bondone in 1333, but he died in 1337 and so the remaining levels had to be completed by others.
The staircase to the top was very steep and so narrow that really only one person could go up or down one level at a time, but this hassle was worth it once we got to the top as we had amazing views over every corner of Florence and to the surrounding hills.
Thursday after Anna finished school, we set off for Piazza della S.S. Annunziata which is a large square flanked on every side by large buildings of significant importance. We chose to tour the 'Spedale degli Innocenti' which was the first orphanage in Europe. The building was designed by Filipo Brunelleschi who also designed the gigantic Dome atop the Duomo. At the end of the outside loggia, was the original revolving door where babies were anonymously left to be cared for by the orphanage. This system was in place until 1875 when the 'Hospital of the Innocents' was shut down.
That night we went out with Natalia and Kiki (Anna's school friends, from Colombia and Greece) to Kitsch which has become our number one place for aperitivo - 8.5 euro for cocktails and all you can eat food, can't beat that!!
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