LAMPREDOTTO

I would like to change a little bit the topic of my blog and so I would like to present you the typical dish of Florence – LAMPREDOTTO. It is made from the fourth and final stomach (from the abomasums) of the cow. The name of the peasant dish derived from Italian LAMPREDA what means abundant of waters in Arno River. This sandwich was a typical dish of poor people and it was already present in the 15^th century.

Lampredotto is cooked in water with tomato, onion and parsley and usually served inside a crusty sandwich which before has been dipped in the broth and then the consumer have to decide the condiment between: salt and pepper, salsa verde – green sauce based on parsley and garlic or hot chilli sauce. We can also eat the Lampredotto with pasta and tomato sauce. 

Nowadays, the Lampredotto is a typical street food and it is still widespread because of the presence of many stalls.

Even if it looks horrible I make you sure that the Lampredotto is very delicious. 

The Lampredotto Sandwich 

One of the stall with the Lampredotto in the centre of Florence 

Pasta with Lampredotto 

PONTE VECCHIO

The Ponte Vecchio – Old Bridge is a symbol of Florence and is one of the most famous bridges in whole world. It is the oldest bridge in Florence. Is a Medieval bridge over the Arno River. It is my favourite monument. This bridge is appreciated for still having shops with very beautiful jewellery.

Second the legend that bridge was built in Roman times. At the first time appears in documents in 996. In 1177 the Ponte Vecchio was reconstructed after breakdown. In 1333 it was wiped out during the biggest flood in Florence and then rebuild in 1345 by Taddeo Gaddi and Neri di Fioravante.

From 1442 to 1593 all shops on the Ponte Vecchio were occupied by butchers to remove them from the centre of the city.

In 1565 Giorgio Vasari has constructed “corridoio vasariano” in English VASARI’S CORRIDOR which is connecting Palazzo Pitti with Palazzo Vecchio. That was an important connection between political and administration centre. Today is one of the most important corridors in Uffizzi Museum.  

During the Second World War the Ponte Vecchio was the only one bridge which was not destroyed by Germans during their retreat in August 1944.

This bridge is really important for people in love what are demonstrating the padlocks left attached to the bridge as the symbol of their eternal love but also for musicians and of course visitors. Nearby you will find very nice restaurants like my favourite one: Buca dell’orafo where you can eat the best Bistecca alla fiorentina in English Florentine Steak and bars where you can get delicious aperitif. In that place you can spend very nice and memorable time with your friends or family. 

 PONTE VECCHIO BY NIGHT

PONTE VECCHIO

SHOPS WITH JEWELLERY

LOVELOCKS 

Il Duomo di Firenze - The Cathedral of Florence

On e of the most import monument in Florence is Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore, in English Basilica of Saint Mary of the Flower but ordinarily is called il Duomo di Firenze – The Cathedral of Florence. It is the main church in Florence. 

The construction begun in 1296 by Arnolfo di Cambio in the Gothic style and was finished by Filippo Brunelleschi in 1436. The main colours of this sacral building are shades of green and pink combined with white frames. That design is an example of Gothic Revival façade by Emilio De Fabris.

The cathedral is located in Piazza del Duomo - Cathedral Square together with:

• Baptistery - is a religious building with a status of minor basilica; one of the oldest buildings in the city, constructed between 1059 and 1128.
• Giotto’s Campanile – it is a free-standing campanile designed by Giotto; it attains a height of 84.7 meters.

All that square is a part of the UNESCO. The cathedral is the biggest attraction for visitors of the Tuscany. The Cathedral of Florence is one of the largest churches in whole Italy.

So if you would like to visit Florence you have to see this monument !!! 

The Duomo viewed from the heights of Piazzale Michelangelo

The Baptistery 

Giotto's bell tower -  campanile