#1145. Caramella d’occhio Italiano, capitolo due (Italian eye candy, part two)

After looking at Tuscany along a vertical track in part one, let’s go along a (mostly) horizontal line for part two, this set of pictures having been shot across spring and summer.

From a technical point of view, there will be fewer pictures taken with my 9mm, more space being given this time to the other two manual lenses currently mounted on my Sony A7 in my “standard” bag, a 21mm and a 35mm both from Voigtländer.

First, Pisa.

In my first Tuscan post published in January, https://www.dearsusan.net/2021/01/09/photographing-italian-magic-pandemic-florence/. I could not but share the shots of the tower.

But that does not do full justice to this city. Shoud you visit, there is much much more to it than the admittedly spectacular leaning building.

 

As a for example, this is Piazza degli Cavalieri which includes the Scuola Superiore, founded in 1810 by Napoleon as a “branch” of Ecole Normale Supérieure in Paris.

On the same square, one can see another interesting building, Palazzo dell’Orologio with its special underpass.

 

Driving east, we will make a second stop in Lucca after the one mentioned in my original post.

To reassure those of you who might think it never rains in Tuscany, yes it does.

Lucca, especially, is reffered to as the “pisciatoio della Toscana”.

I’ll let your imagination work to find out the full meaning of this one ;-).

 

The narrow streets are full of small shops with interesting storefronts.

Here is an example which I particularly like.

If it were not for the newspaper clippings to the right, it might have been taken much earlier.

 

Should you decide to drive just a little bit south, you will end up in the Chianti region where you cannot but visit wine cellars.

One particular cellar, Castello di Ama, combines works of art of famous artists like Daniel Buren which makes it all the more interesting.

 

The area radiates with spectacular landscapes which are often much greener than in the northern part of Tuscany,.

 

One should be aware that while distances may appear short, the time to get from A to B is often longer than anticipated as the roads, swervy and going up and down most of the time, do not allow you to drive fast.

Even if you are a local ;-).

This is especially true at night when you might encounter many a fox or some wild boars which have now become more protected.

Beware of those animals. One should avoid them; they can create substantial damage, and, if too close an encounter were to occur, you are advised to stay in your car until suitable hep arrives as they can be quite savage, especially if wounded.

They represent a substantial risk to property owners as they move around in groups and basically destroy everything along their path.

So one should drive at reasonable pace with eyes peeled. Not always easy after a good bottle of Chianti Riserva…

Back up from Chianti, a small stop in San Miniato is suggested. This little village is absolutely full of charm.

 

As a final stop, you will of course have to go through Florence.

Ponte Vecchio in broad daylight is just as beautiful as at night time.

 

Piazza della Signoria as well.

 

Narrow streets abound in Florence just the same.

 

Night strolls are also very enjoyable to snap some good shots. In the spring, people were still advised to stay home as much as possible. It shows – and helped ‘togs.

 

Going back to the Uffizzi, with my 9mm lens this time, provided me with a new opportunity to take a different view from this incredible place.

 

There is nothing more majestic than a city traversed by a wide river, the Arno plays that part admirably for Florence.

 

Ciao ! A presto !