Florence 2010 (Above Florence)

Ok, no, I didn't get in a plane and actually fly above Florence, but on two occasions, I went into the hills around the city. The first, to the north, to the town of Fiesole. The second, a hike up to San Miniato on the south side of the Arno.

Here I am standing at the marker of the site where Leonardo conned one of his friends to try out his flying machine.

According to Google Translator (my Italian is getting better every day but this one I had to use "the evil tool") the plaque says "Take the first flight off the big bird above his Ceceri Great filling the universe with awe filling all writings with its fame and glory to the eternal place where he was born."

Here's what they saw from their attempt to fly.

I'll cite the pamphlet describing the facade of the basilica, "The white and green marble dating from the 11th/13th centuries is typical of the Romanesque style in Tuscany. The idea of strict geometry evoke the perfection of God. Standing over the top is the bronze eagle of the Calimala Art guild, the corporation of wood merchants that for centuries kept patronage of the church adeptly COMBINING FAITH AND PROFIT, as was typical of the Middle Ages."

Ahh, another great view of the Duomo and Florence.