These photos are magnificent. In the fall of 2021 when things were starting to open up to travel, we went to Rome and some of my photos are this hauntingly empty. Imagine being among less than 30 people in the Sistine Chapel! In the smaller museums we were often the only people there. I hold that time in my memory for so many reasons and in particular because it felt like everything was extra special--almost private, just for us.
Thanks for the lovely visit to Firenze. How lucky you were to be able to enjoy the city and its stunning art without the crowds! A gift during a very difficult time.
There is something so beautiful, so serene and so gorgeous about seeing one of Italy’s most stunning cities so empty, devoid of the clutter of tourists and tour groups wandering through the piazzas and corridors. Don’t get me wrong, the pandemic was a terrible thing to live through. But seeing Florence like this was perhaps pure magic. There were no waves of crowds that overtook the streets. You wouldn’t need to squeeze between people and slowly passing cars as you carved a path that emptied into Piazza della Signoria. The open-air gallery of statues would welcome you as you strode silently into that piazza, the statues standing as silent sentinels to history witnessing grand processions, celebrations, historical events and an infinite collection of selfies.
Covid certainly had some positives! I was comparing your photos to what we experienced in May, which wasn't even the height of the tourist season.
These photos are magnificent. In the fall of 2021 when things were starting to open up to travel, we went to Rome and some of my photos are this hauntingly empty. Imagine being among less than 30 people in the Sistine Chapel! In the smaller museums we were often the only people there. I hold that time in my memory for so many reasons and in particular because it felt like everything was extra special--almost private, just for us.
thanks Crystal! There were silver linings to that cloud for those of us lucky enough to be able to take advantage.
Magnificent photos! How eerie to see Santa Maria Novella completely deserted.
Thanks for the lovely visit to Firenze. How lucky you were to be able to enjoy the city and its stunning art without the crowds! A gift during a very difficult time.
Thanks Celia, indeed it was
Wonderful photos. Thank you as always!
thanks Cathy!
There is something so beautiful, so serene and so gorgeous about seeing one of Italy’s most stunning cities so empty, devoid of the clutter of tourists and tour groups wandering through the piazzas and corridors. Don’t get me wrong, the pandemic was a terrible thing to live through. But seeing Florence like this was perhaps pure magic. There were no waves of crowds that overtook the streets. You wouldn’t need to squeeze between people and slowly passing cars as you carved a path that emptied into Piazza della Signoria. The open-air gallery of statues would welcome you as you strode silently into that piazza, the statues standing as silent sentinels to history witnessing grand processions, celebrations, historical events and an infinite collection of selfies.
How wonderful to see Duccio`s Madonna and the San Marco monastery - happy memories but Florence empty must have been a joy.