Sunday 15 April 2018

Florence - art, food and music galore, and no salt in bread


Florence! What a place! No wonder E. M. Forster set his novel A Room with a View here. The views are breathtaking right across the city. There is so much to see and do, and the food is so good, you could easily stay till Christmas.

A week in Florence


We decided to split our week into 3 days set aside for music, 3 days for art, leaving food to fit in around that. The music was easy to arrange, because the Belcea String Quartet were giving 2 different programs in different theatres on our first 2 days, and the pianist Radu Lupu was playing on the third day. The art was also easy, because wherever you turn in Florence, art leaps out at you. This time we concentrated on frescoes.


Saturday


We got off to a bit of a shaky start by revisiting what used to be a very reliable trattoria - Il Contadino. Unfortunately this has changed hands and was no longer the great place it once was. The glory days are over!

Sunday


My plan for our first full day was also a bit off-beam. Looking at a few churches was not the cleverest idea, as churches tend to be busy on Sunday mornings. We'd planned to look at Santa Trinita, Santo Spirito and San Felicita. We got to see them all eventually, just not on Sunday morning.

After these minor hiccups, I realised I needed to sup my game a little, and once I'd got my planning head on straight, everything started to go more smoothly!

Santa Trinita



Santo Spirito



This must really be heaven for architecture buffs. Off to the left in this picture is the sacristy, which houses a crucifix presumed to be by the young Michelangelo -


More up my street was the cloister we had to go through to reach the sacristy. Both the cloister and the refectory that opens off it were highly decorated -



Next door to Santo Spirito is the rather wonderful Fondazione Romano. Unfortunately it only opens a couple of times a week and we weren't able to visit. Next time, maybe!


San Felicita



As two of these churches are south of the river, we went for lunch on the south side, at Trattoria Sant' Agostino, which had been recommended by an Italian friend. This was a good tip, and we had a very good lunch, especially the peposo, a rich beef stew with red wine and whole pepper corns. The good quality bread set the style for the week - white, crusty, baked free form, and no salt.


There was a bottle of olive oil on the table. You can get an idea of what kind of place you are eating at from the olive oil policy. If profit margins are tight, there will be no oil on the table, and your food will be brought to the table suitably dressed. If there is a reasonable markup, you will get a reasonable bottle of oil on the table. If there is plenty of markup, no expense will be spared, and you will have a really good bottle of oil on the table.


At Sant' Agostino, there was an excellent bottle of oil on the table. A Chianti Classico in fact. I looked this one up on Google, and it's about 17 euros a bottle. Not my cup of tea, really, because Tuscan oil generally is very peppery. This one made me cough it was so strong. No doubt about the quality though.

Teatro della Pergola


Our concert in the evening was at the charming Teatro della Pergola. On a previous visit, we had a concert in the main hall -


But this time we were in the Saloncino -


This was significant because the shoe-box shape made the hall very resonant indeed. Still, the Belcea String Quartet were excellent, as usual, and we had a great concert. Very unusually, they placed modern pieces between the movements of Beethoven's enormous quartet Op 130. Beethoven became the framework for the modern pieces to sit in, and there were some really interesting contrasts. But the great fugue that ends the Beethoven quartet still crowned the whole concert. How could it not? And this was a really great performance to end a wonderful day.


Monday


We stayed south of the river on Monday and visited a couple more places that are free to enter. Most places in Florence do charge, but there are plenty of places where there is no charge, if you do your homework in advance.

Casa Siviero


On the way up to San Miniato, we called in at a curious little place, free to enter, which was the home of Rodolfo Siviero, also known as the James Bond of the art world. He was responsible for recovering a lot of the art stolen by the Germans in WWII. At the same time he amassed a private collection of minor art works, which is now open to the public. This was considerably more interesting than it sounds, and there was a marvellous breadth to the collection, which included some very old things indeed. Nothing was roped off so you could really get up close. A very satisfying visit. This is a self-portrait of the man himself as a bull fighter.



We had been expecting to be in and of Casa Siviero within the hour, but in the event we spent most of the morning there, finally setting off up the hill ito San Miniato n the midday sun. Fortunately there is a set of steps up to the top which is largely shaded. Climbing the steps feels like being on a pilgrimage. There are even stations of the cross on the way up. Angie made a new friend on the way -


San Miniato


I had long wanted to see this church, which has a striking view across the city.


The church itself has an interesting history, including Michelangelo wrapping the tower with mattresses to save it from cannonballs.


The facade looks like a stage set, with its three doors.



Inside, San Miniato is quite breathtaking.



Upstairs and to the right is the sacristy, which is frescoed right round. Not unreasonably they ask for a euro donation to have a good look round here.



Trattoria Sergio Gozzi


After a relatively vigorous morning's walking and sight seeing, we were ready for lunch. We had another hot tip from our Italian friend. He suggested Trattoria Sergio Gozzi was worth a look. This is a lunchtime-only eatery, which appeals to me because it shows they take work-life balance very seriously. I also very much like the fact that you get a daily menu, so you are genuinely getting what the cook wants to cook that day. It is just up the road from the market, so you are guaranteed the freshest and best of everything. Just as it should be! And it is just across the piazza from San Lorenzo, so it's very handy.



The atmosphere is very laid back here, and you just feel at home straight away. I chose home made thick spaghetti in a rich tomato sauce with peperoncini. Good choice. This was the first of many home made pasta dishes during our week in Florence, and it was only when we got home that I realised we had actually had fresh pasta every single time. No fuss, no special prices, just honest to goodness home made pasta all week! That's what I like about Florence - it just quietly delivers on the important things.

My main course was not such a good choice. Boiled beef and ox tongue. I was expecting something along the lines of boiled beef and carrots. And I know tongue as something that is pressed and sliced. This was not like that at all. It was just a couple of slabs of beef floating in its cooking water, and a slab of tongue ditto. Not for me, even with the side dishes of anchovy sauce and glace cherries in a sort of chutney. Definitely one to avoid! Angie did much better with the peposo.


Teatro Niccolini


In the evening we had the Belcea String Quartet again, this time playing in the charming Teatro Niccolini. This is the oldest theatre in Florence, and has been lovingly restored after falling into some disrepair. It had been used as a cinema and various other things, and has been closed for many years. It reopened in 2015.


The big event in the concert was a thrilling performance of Ligeti's first String Quartet. It's a highly dramatic piece, and when played with such attack as by the Belceas, it can really knock you sideways.

Tuesday


After the high drama of Monday's concert, we had a relaxed start and spent the morning just strolling round the streets, taking in whatever presented itself. We drifted across the Ponte Vecchio, holding tight to all valuables, and finally got in for a quick look round San Felicita.

But for lunch we were on a mission - a trip to Trattoria Mario by the market. We went here once last time, and thought it was really good. On that occasion we rolled up at 12:10 and had to join the latecomers' queue. We finally got in about 12:40, when the bar man came out with his list and roared out our name - "TAYLORRRRRR!"

This time we weren't going to risk being late, and joined the queue outside at 11:35. Mercifully, they let us in at 11:40 and we had 20 minutes of happy anticipation of what was to come.



And plenty of time to study the handwritten menu which, like Sergio Gozzi's, changes every day.


Mario's really is a special place. It's been in the family for over 60 years, and if you watch their 60th anniversary video, you will see that they really think of the place as home. Certainly the food is really genuine. And not many places give you proper bread with a cover charge of 50 cents.

The lady who took our order also took half a dozen others at the same time. She didn't write anything down, and got everything right. She's obviously done this before.

I had the ravioli, which was cooked in bulk very quickly, while we were waiting for service to begin, and piled up by the cooker to keep warm. When needed, it was simply covered with hot tomato sauce and straight out into the crowded room.


 Angie had a very hearty pasta e ceci, which interested me intensely, as Rachel Roddy has been talking about it in her Guardian cookery column. It's basically chickpeas soup with pasta and oil, but then the details are up to the individual cook. This one was blitzed, and the pasta added in the middle of the bowl along with a glug of olive oil. I've had a go at home and was very pleased with my version, which had the chickpeas mashed up a little, and the pasta cooked in the soup. I took up Rachel Roddy's suggestions of adding anchovies, tomatoes and potatoes, but everything in moderation of course.

After this, I went for the peposo again, and Angie had a generous fillet of beef, all washed down with beans in oil, potatoes "in umido", which basically means stewed with onion, tomato and lashings of oil. Add on the usual  salad, wine, water and bread and you've got quite a blowout.

In the afternoon we activated our Firenze Cards. This is a card that gets you into everywhere free, and crucially free of queues. It costs 72 euros, and lasts for 72 hours, rather than 3 days, so you can spread it over 4 days if you want. We had no trouble at all getting twice our money's worth from the card, and I would certainly recommend getting one. But you really need to plan your trip very thoroughly to make sure you know where you want to go, and when.


Santa Maria Novella.


This was the first place I wanted to go, without giving it a second thought.



This is just next to the railway station of the same name, and is full of wonderful paintings. There is also a large cloister, surrounded with frescoes, and full of daisies when we were there.



As well as the beautiful facade, similar in style to San Miniato, and the classic black and white marble all round the outside, Santa Maria Novella is absolutely crammed with treasures inside.





The nearby Museo Novecento, the modern art gallery, was generally less inspiring, but we did eventually find a few early paintings by Morandi, which was interesting as the Morandi museum in Bologna was on our radar for the last day of the holiday.

In the evening we had a very disappointing concert by the elderly pianist Radu Lupu. Or at least, we had the first half.

Wednesday


The very pleasant place we were staying at (Albergo Bencidormi) is really well located, a short walk from the railway station in one direction, the market and Trattoria Mario in another, and the San Lorenzo complex and Trattoria Sergio Gozzi in another.

San Lorenzo


The three parts of San Lorenzo are the Medici Chapel, the basilica and the library. The Medici Chapel is fine if you like the trappings of worldly wealth. Not for me! The basilica is a wonderful architectural space, and I love the contrast between the unmade facade and the inside.



But for me the best thing is the library. Designed by Michelangelo, it is a haven of peace. Look at that ceiling, and the mosaic floor.


I love these catalogue lists at the end of each reading area -


Most of the original windows survive -



While we were there, there was a show about women writers. That is, manuscripts of various ages, written by women. And after that we were ready for lunch. Trattoria Sergio Gozzi was just across the road.


Angie chose well with the roast lamb with potatoes. I was wide of the mark again, taking polpette to be meatballs (and Google Translate agrees with me). When they arrived, they were more like potato croquettes with just a suggestion of meat among the potato. Oh well, at least there were beans and spinach to go for as well.

I consoled myself with some cantucci and a glass of vin santo to dunk them in. There is no doubt that this is a great place to eat. This lady's blog from 2008 shows that the food has been good for at least the last 10 years of the trattoria's 100 year history. And at least one of the waiters is still there from 2008.

Looking back on it, this day seems rich beyond the wildest of dreams. In the morning we had all the riches of San Lorenzo. For lunch we had Sergio Gozzi. And then in the afternoon we went back south of the river and packed in enough culture to fill a very full day.


Brancacci Chapel


I managed to miss Santa Maria del Carmine last time we visited Florence, but if I ever come again, I will make sure I visit it again. The church itself was largely destroyed by a fire and rebuilt in th 18th century. Miraculously, the Brancacci chapel was largely undamaged. This is about as good as it gets for frescoes.


At the right hand side of the frescoes above, you can just see somebody sleeping on the job.


This apparently shows St Peter being smuggled out of prison while the jailer sleeps.

The madonna and child in the middle of the chapel is wonderful, and really forms a great focal point.


Next door to the chapel itself is a refectory (I think) with a rather splendid last supper. I only realised late in the day that last suppers are all over the place in Florence, and could be the theme of a holiday in their own right.


I particularly liked this last supper because the food is so interesting. Christ seems to be eating a whole lamb, cooked with its head still on, while the person on his left is on the mussels. There is good bread all round, baked in single portion loaves. There's not much oven leap, so probably low protein grain was used.


Further along the table to the right seems to be where the fruitarians are sitting. And check out the cat under the table.


There's another cat near the other end of the table. 



A closer look up that end of the table shows that fish is on the menu, so that's what the cat's smelling. The bread here appears to have a very open texture, so we are looking at a long rise, and certainly something akin to sourdough.


By a rather delicious coincidence, when we were there, the person who was allegedly guarding the last supper was fast asleep, just like St Peter's jailer.

And another thing


You wouldn't think one day could fit any more art, but we strolled further east along the river and up the hill to the Boboli gardens and the Palazzo Pitti.


Although it's reasonably formal, the main feature of the Boboli gardens is the hillside, and the view over the river and the city. The two ducks in the little pool at Neptune's feet seemed very relaxed about him waving his trident at them. 


Angie was very taken with the cedar walk. This reminded me of Dave Angel, eco warrior.



The Palazzo Pitti is now a rambling collection of rather wonderful galleries. There is enough to see here to fill a whole day. Nice view from one of the guest bedrooms.



My favourite part was several rooms full of trompe l'oiel 3-D chicanery like this -



Thursday


This was another day so full of art that looking back on it, it's hard to believe how much we managed to fit in. We started off with a couple of hours at the glorious San Marco. I think this is my favourite place in Florence, and there is so much to see that I've written it up in a blog post of its own.

After that sumptuous feast for the eyes, there was only one thing for it - lunch at Mario's.



I had the tortelle di patate e ragu - basically ravioli with potato on the inside and meat sauce on the outside. Angie had ribollita - bread soup with cavalo nero and beans. If you've never had ribollita, you really should try it!

The tortelle are on the left in this picture - briefly cooked, then put on the side ready for dishing up and topping with the ragu on request.


As in Italy generally, a lot of rabbit is eaten in Florence. We've had it several different ways - in spicy tomato sauce, baked with rosemary, or on top of polenta. Mario just roasted it with a good helping of oil.



After lunch we headed off towards Santa Croce. I had done my homework, and marked on the GPS map all the places the Florence Card can get you into, so on the way we made an extra stop.

Casa Buonarroti


This is basically a Michelangelo museum, set up by his descendants. There are a couple of Michelangelo marble reliefs -



And his model for San Lorenzo -



A couple of rooms are completely covered with pictures -


And there is some splendid marquetry that my dad would have enjoyed.


Santa Croce


This is another place I have managed to miss on earlier visits to Florence. Goodness knows how, as the 14th century frescoes alone would be the the jewel in the crown of any city's art collection.



Many of the big names feature at Santa Croce - Donatello, Giotto, Brunelleschi. And Michelangelo and Galileo are buried here. The flood of 1966 caused severe damage here, some of which is still visible, even after decades of restoration work.

After Santa Croce, we still had time to visit one more gallery.

Uffizi


This is probably the most queued-for place in all Florence, and even in March, that is saying something. There were so many people pouring in at 17:00 that even we exalted people with Florence cards had to endure a five minute queue before we could be incorporated into the stream of people passing through the security checks.

You either have to give up a week to the Uffizi, or you have to be brutally selective. Angie wanted to focus on the early stuff, so we had chosen a short list of rooms to visit. It's definitely worth knowing where you are going in here, because it is so huge you could easily get lost and not make the most of your time. And it is definitely worth going very early in the morning or towards the end of the day. Although the place was heaving when we went in at 17:00, by 17:30 it was thinning out, and by 18:00 it was quiet - a rare thing at the Uffizi, I guess!

Another rather amazing Michelangelo -



And how's this for condition? 600 years old and fresh as a daisy.



As the Uffizi is open till 18:50, we had time to take in some of the famous pictures, and no crowds!



Angie couldn't believe her luck getting Venus to herself for five minutes. Our Italian friend was also very surprised by the lack of crowds in this picture.



Even the way out of the Uffizi is worth lingering in. You actually pass through many of the higher-numbered rooms on the way to the door, so it's worth not being in a rush.





And this is a view on the Palazzo Vecchio that you can only see from the Uffizi. The addition of the crane I find very pleasing on the eye, but then I like cranes!


At the very end of the Uffizi is this rather handsome hog, as if to say, you have now officially hogged out at the Uffizi.


But we decided to go the whole hog and have an ice cream. This rather ridiculously cost 12 euros, but it was pretty good, I have to say!


Just to complete a rather fabulous day, Angie had a go on a roundabout.





Friday


I had saved a couple of my favourite places for our last full day in Florence. It's well worth realising that some places are only open in the morning. That piece of research saved my bacon this time.

Bargello


The Bargello, or the Bordello as it is fondly known in our house, used to be the local prison. It is now put to much better use as a gallery specialising in sculptures. There is a small courtyard downstairs, which is very pleasant.




But the main attraction is the large room upstairs which contains the fabulous Donatello David. If Michelangelo's David is the butch David, the Donatello is very much the camp David.



There are quite a lot of Donatellos in the Bargello.

More exquisite marquetry -


This rather fantastic Mary has all her people under her wing -



Angie got very excited when we found a whole room full of Della Robbia and his workshop.



But by now it was fast approaching lunchtime, so we shot round the corner to Sergio Gozzi, where, it being Friday, there was plenty of seafood to choose from. We had the calamari risotto followed by cuttlefish with chard, peas and beans.






Accademia


After lunch we squeezed the last ounce of value out of our Florence cards, and just got in to the Accademia to see Michelangelo's David before our 72 hours were up. For us it was definitely a great buy - but you do need to do your homework in advance and plan your days carefully.


He really is quite fantastic. And what a nice thing it was to see both the Davids in the same day.



Round the corner from David, there is what amounts to a store cupboard, full of busts in various conditions. Many have the small holes in where the key points are marked out during the copying process. I had no idea how complicated copying was, mainly because I had no notion of making a copy at half size, or twice life size. And I had always lazily assumed a copy was a cast, but that is not always the case at all. 


You could easily spend all day in the Accademia, but we were getting tired, so we just strolled around and looked at anything that took our fancy.



There is certainly plenty of the early stuff here too.





I've got a green jumper that looks a bit like this -


After a bit of a siesta, we got everything packed up ready to travel home the next day.

The market upstairs


For our last evening, we went upstairs at the market, where there is a haven for foodies which stays open till midnight. Here you can get all sorts of fast and not so fast food - pizzas, chicken, seafood, steak, arancini, bread, cheese - but all to a very high standard. And there are lots of bars, all open plan. It's a joy to walk round an watch what is going on. The wood fired pizza stand is particularly mesmerising.

These mugs were on a 3 hour course on hamburger making, or rather hamburger accessory making, for which they had paid 130 euros. All men, note.



Much better value was the bread stall nearby. This place is bursting with credentials - only organic flour, only sourdough. And I was rather thrilled to see that one of my favourite slashing patterns (which I thought I had invented) is in use here. See the round loaf at the bottom right, which has a square slashed round the edge, and a little cross in the middle, pointing to the corners of the square. Classy!


This place sells everything you can imagine, battered and deep fried - chicken, tripe (gulp)...


... artichoke, aubergine, courgette. And potato croquettes or meat balls on skewers.


They aren't shy about prices on the seafood. 68 euros a kilo for the red prawns!


 You can have your black swine, if that's your thing,


And there's always something sweet for afters.


It was coming up to easter, so everywhere was getting into the spirit of the thing, including the place where we were staying.This was on the lift -




Saturday


All good things come to an end, and on Easter Saturday we had a train to catch to Bologna, and a flight home. This made a change as we arrived via Pisa, both ways being via Manchester.

I'd done a little homework on Bologna, and not only bought our train tickets from Florence and our bus tickets from Bologna to the airport, but also found the Museum of Modern Art, which is a few minutes walk from the station, and has a very good Morandi show as its regular collection. Angie has long been a fan, and to some extent copies his approach by repeatedly drawing the same shapes  over and over. In Morandi's case it was a few (generally wonky) glass jars like this one which is in the Bologna collection -


In Angie's case it is usually a vegetable gourd or this olive oil drizzler -



And finally, after a 90 minute delay on our Ryanair flight, we made it back to the UK, and were home in time for something to eat before bed, at the end of a long day and a really great holiday.

Grazie mille, Firenze!

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