Today we have a few things that each of us would like to do.  Lindsey is a bookworm and libraries are her happy places.  We want to go to Biblioteca Oblate.  It is housed in the evocative fourteenth-century former convent of the Oblates from which it takes its name.  On they way there we stop to have a look at the Perseus statue.  We learned from our Medici walking tour that the artist of this statue. Benvenuto Cellini  created a secret self portrait on the back of Perseus’s head.  As you can see the back of the head is a face looking downward with a beard.  From the front of the statue this is not visible.  Also on the way is the Church of Dante.  This is in the medieval neighbourhood of Florence.

We arrive at the Biblioteco Oblate.  It is a very peaceful setting.  Inside we come across a photographic exhibition in honour of Giovanni Fanetti.  The room held many different styles of photography.  I did not realise until the end when a woman approached me and told me that this exhibition was in honour of her late husband.  His work was so diverse, I thought it was the work of many artists.  He passed away in 2020 at the age of 81.  His wife created this exhibition and wrote a book to honour her husband.  I felt a kinship with her.  Lindsey purchased the book for me, for us all. 

The library has w little cafeteria and outdoor seating.  We shared a sandwich and a beer before continuing on to find a geocache that might be large enough to hold some “travel bugs”.  As we walk we see more typical Italian things.  A 3 wheeled truck and a very old church with a tower attached.  The tower is supported by “flying buttresses”, these ones covered by copper or bronze, likely to help preserve the stone buttresses. 

There is a geocache is in a park a couple of kilometers from the city center of Florence.  It has a beautiful view of the landmarks of Florence.  The Duomo and the Bell Tower.  It also has an amazing sculpture down a staircase.  The sculpture is made of small stones and is in the shape of a dragon.  At the bottom of the stairs the head of the dragon, at the top in a fountain the tail.  Very beautiful. 

We find a beautiful spot to leave some Stu.  It has a wonderful view of Florence and is at the base of an Umbrella Pine tree.  I think he will love it here.

On our walk back into the town center we pass a Medici hotel.  It has crest that we have learned is the Medici symbol, 6 balls, one at the top a different color.  We also pass a garage.  This is how you make more room in the garage.  You have a lift so that you can park 2 one above the other.choo

We have been told by Brenda that there is a wine bar upstairs in the Central Market.  We head there to check it out.  I have been to the market 3 times and never came up stairs.  It is amazing.  We are sitting have a glass of wine next to a butcher stall.  The meat is unbelievable.  They are passing out samples.  We try one on the way out.

There is a dish famous in Florence called Lampredotto.  It is made from the innards of a cow.  One of the quarters of the stomach.  Our tour guide the other night said we must try it.  Lindsey is keen, me less so.  The Lampredotto place we were introduced to was in Dante’s street.  It has been producing/creating this dish for a very long time.  We head there to give it a try, at least Lindsey will.  She orders, the guy seems surprised.  Asks if she wants it seasoned or not.  She opts for seasoned.  She tells me it is a bit spicy, a little kick.  She enjoys it and almost finishes it.  It is a large sandwich.  I choose a pork with truffle sauce sandwich.  It is OK.. hahaha.

We head back to our apartment, stopping for wine and beer.  A very full day with almost 21,000 steps on the Fitbit.  YEAH!!