Michelangelo's Florence Photos

Photograph by Sisse Brimberg & Cotton Coulson

This vista of Florence from Piazzale Michelangelo, a broad terrace constructed on a hill in the 1870s, has to be one of the most famous and photographed views in the world," says photographer Cotton Coulson. "Couples gather on the piazzale to pose for photographs and enjoy the beauty of the city in late afternoon." Clearly visible are the cathedral (duomo), with Filippo Brunelleschi's huge dome; the city hall, Palazzo Vecchio, with its crenellated tower (left of the cathedral); and the church of Santa Croce (to the right), where Michelangelo was buried.

Read more about Florence in "Stalking Michelangelo," in Traveler's July/August 2006 issue.

Photograph by Sisse Brimberg & Cotton Coulson

A  hitchhiking "David"—or not? "When we saw this scene," says Coulson, "it looked like 'David' had just arrived by bus at Piazzale Michelangelo. The bus stopped for a photo of the view, and 'David' stood hovering on the upper deck, as if he had joined the bus ride with the rest of the visitors. The moment only lasted a second before the bus took off—and we saw that 'David' was actually standing on a carved pedestal. It's a fun picture that brings together the old and new."

Read more about Florence in "Stalking Michelangelo," in Traveler's July/August 2006 issue.

Photograph by Sisse Brimberg & Cotton Coulson

Sweeping views of the Tuscan countryside spread out from the Benedictine monastery of San Miniato al Monte, where a monk leads a visitor to view old tombs. The monastery and church of San Miniato, which date to 1013—the church is considered one of the most beautiful in Italy—crown a hill across the Arno River from Florence's historic center. During the siege of Florence in 1530, when united forces under Pope Clement VII (who started life as Giulio de' Medici) and Emperor Charles V of Spain fought Florence's Republican government, Michelangelo helped design fortifications for the church and monastery, including a screen of mattresses to protect the belltower.

Read more about Florence in "Stalking Michelangelo," in Traveler's July/August 2006 issue.

Photograph by Sisse Brimberg & Cotton Coulson

Into every life a little rain must fall: "We had some bad weather on our shoot in Florence, but that didn't stop visitors from creating this colorful parade of umbrellas as they filed past the duomo," says Coulson. The cathedral is crafted with colored Tuscan marble—white from Carrara, red from the Maremma, and green from Prato. It is dedicated to Holy Mary of the Flower, the Madonna of Florence, but may be best known for its dome designed by Michelangelo rival Brunelleschi, and the bronze "Gates of Paradise" doors created by Lorenzo Ghiberti (now on display in the cathedral's museum).

Read more about Florence in "Stalking Michelangelo," in Traveler's July/August 2006 issue.

Photograph by Sisse Brimberg & Cotton Coulson

Michelangelo's masterpiece, "David," looms larger than life in Florence's Galleria dell'Accademia. Sculpted in 1504 from a huge block of marble that had been rejected by Leonardo da Vinci, among others, this physically imposing "David" was given prominent placement in front of the city hall, the Palazzo Vecchio, as a symbol of Florence's independence as a city-state. In 1873 the statue was removed from that spot—today occupied by a "David" copy—to preserve it from environmental damage. It now stands in a purpose-built niche in the Galleria dell'Accademia, where it is viewed by more than a million visitors yearly.

Read more about Florence in "Stalking Michelangelo," in Traveler's July/August 2006 issue.

Photograph by Sisse Brimberg & Cotton Coulson

Any surface provides a canvas in Florence, perhaps not surprising in this city that sparked the Renaissance. "This street artist was copying a portrait onto the pavement of Via Por Santa Maria, a space designated by the city for street art, to bring creativity back into the historical center," says Brimberg. Other popular Florentine venues for street art, from painting to music to mime: Piazza del Duomo and Piazza de' Pitti.

Read more about Florence in "Stalking Michelangelo," in Traveler's July/August 2006 issue.

Photograph by Sisse Brimberg & Cotton Coulson

Hamming it up, a vendor plays to an audience at the Perini delicatessen in the San Lorenzo Market. "The famous Perini delicatessen specializes in Parma ham, wild boar salami, truffle puree, and other specialties," observes Brimberg. "The shop, a family business for three generations, is owned and run by the Perini brothers, who often show up behind the counter. Their products have appeared in a Williams-Sonoma cookbook of Florentine recipes and are sold all over the world."

Read more about Florence in "Stalking Michelangelo," in Traveler's July/August 2006 issue.

Photograph by Sisse Brimberg & Cotton Coulson

Love locks: "Young lovers in Florence seal their affection by placing a lock inscribed with their names on this fence, which surrounds a statue of the legendary goldsmith Benvenuto Cellini," says Brimberg. "They then throw the key into the Arno River, a gesture that is supposed to assure them eternal love." The bust of Cellini, a 16th-century goldsmith who was considered one of the greatest of all time, stands on the Ponte Vecchio, which is lined with gold and jewelry shops.

Read more about Florence in "Stalking Michelangelo," in Traveler's July/August 2006 issue.

Photograph by Sisse Brimberg & Cotton Coulson

Ponte Vecchio moment: "Tourists always seem to gather in the afternoons along the Arno River by the Ponte Vecchio, to take pictures (and sneak in an embrace) with the bridge as backdrop," notes Coulson. "The couple embracing here traveled from Milan for a romantic weekend."

Read more about Florence in "Stalking Michelangelo," in Traveler's July/August 2006 issue.