Florence - "The Cradle of Italian Renaissance"

The City of Florence from atop a hill

We visited the world famous Galleria dell Accademia (Academy Gallery) which hosts the Statue of David and other works of Michelangelo on he inside and graffiti (which was a common sight all over Italy) on the outside.

Photographs are not allowed inside, which I was told after I already took one.  Here it is, and it is believed to be only known picture of the inside of the Gallery.

But thats ok, because there are reproductions of most of the statues outside in the Plaza.

And others as well, like this one depicting the a classic scene from the movie "Clash of the Titians"

"I can't figure out why everyone is always staring at me"

"Oh yea...It's because I'm naked"

This is the Church of Santa Croce, the burial place of Michelangelo, Galileo and Machiavelli.

The tomb of Galileo.

The tomb of Michelangelo (undergoing renovation)

The tomb of Machiavelli ("Keep your friends close, but keep your enemies closer")