The 3 day Italy trip - Firenze, Piazza della Signoria (cont.) - the Neptune fountain; the Mercato Nuovo and the Piazza de la Reppublica - The 18th of September 2015

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We walked around the L-shaped square named after the Palazzo Vecchio, which  still seems to maintain the  reputation of the past as being the political hub of the city.

Judith and the Holofernes (1460) created by Donatello depicts the assassination of the Assyrian General.

The Equestrian Monument of Cosimo I (1594)

 

 

 

 

 

The Mannerist fountain of Neptune (1575) by Ammannati depicting the Roman Sea God surrounded by water nymphs and the mythical chained figures of Scylla and Charybdis commemorates the Tuscan naval victories.

We then walked onto the Mercato Nuovo area with its 16th century "loggia" initially intended for the sale of silk and luxury goods. Its corner niches displayed famous Florentines (Giovanni Villany in the picture underneath).

 

The fact that is is oftern referred to as the Loggia del Porcelino has to do with the fountain of the wild boar, a copy in bronze after the marble statued made by Pietro Tacca in the 16th century. Popular tradition has it that placing a coin in the mouth of and rubbing its nose will bring good fortune, should the offering fall into the tiny grate underneath.There was quite a huge crowd awaiting to do so and thus obtain fortune and gratification.

We made our way to the Piazza della Reppublica with its triumphal arch before heading back to  the Duomo area.

 

 

 

(To be continued)