Florence - Firenze

In the fall of 2011 the Professor and I traveled to Florence for the first time. We were enchanted with the city and enjoyed our stay there.  However, we were very disappointed when we found out that the gardens of the Pitti Palace were not open to the public.  The only access to the gardens was to pay to see part of the museum too.  Therefore when I went to the palace on Wednesday, I chose the option that included seeing the gardens.  I got caught up in part of the museum exhibits and didn't realize that it was raining heavily until I planned to leave the building and go out to the garden.  Fortunately the museum bookshop had a few small umbrellas.  I purchased one and only when I opened it did I discover that it has two darling little animals on it and the word Firenze.  

Although I spent an entire morning at the Pitti Palace, I have discovered that I missed some extraordinary statues in the Boboli Gardens.  The fact that it was raining outside really should not be an excuse.  I walked to the top of the garden and took a side path coming down but still missed an interesting sculpture of a man's head.

There is also a grotto somewhere on the grounds.

Neptune fishing

I am not sure if these two little imps are trying to drown each other but it sure looks like it.  

Part of the tour that I paid for was to the costume gallery.  Last fall a special show was put together showing women in fashion from the 20th century.  Of course, the Italian women whose clothes were displayed meant nothing to me and I recognized only a few of the designers' names.  The clothes were interesting but I was enchanted with the hats.  

Nothing could be photographed.  In fact I tried to photograph the sign telling the name of the woman the clothes were designed for and was told I could not use the camera.  However, I encountered a couple of young women who were taking lots of pictures with their cell phones.  Of course, some of the closely guarded fashions have made their way online. 

Hats in the Costume Gallery at the Pitti Palace

This display of fashions worn by singer Patty Pravo was accompanied by a video of her performing.

Women in Fashion in the Twentieth Century at the Pitti Palace

In another part of the palace I looked at the public rooms used centuries ago and treasures from those long ago days.  I was surprised by the jewelry that I saw on display.  It looks like recent designs in necklaces. However, the beautiful shawl is not one that I expect to see anyone wearing any time soon.