I enjoy navigating the city in the summer because of the ever-changing scenery. The sun casts its light and brings new things into focus. From Ponte Santa Trinita, I watched the renaioli (sand digger boats) travel up and down the Arno. While walking down Via delle Terme, I caught sight of the Statue della Giustizia with the sun bursting behind it. I strolled through Giardino Bardini and admired how Mother Nature was flourishing. After visiting the Basilica di Santo Spirito, I enjoyed a quiet moment in the cloister’s lush garden that encircled a fountain.
Ponte Santa Trinita — July 20, 2025
Since the beginning of the year, I have walked to Piazza Santo Spirito every Sunday. What started as an interest in the mercatini became a ritual for me. Every week, I enter the Basilica, admire the chapels, sit for a moment, and sometimes visit the Crocifisso by Michelangelo and stroll through the cortile (courtyard).
After the 11:30 a.m. church bells rang today, I popped outside and headed west down the Lungarno. I looked up at the signs to see its name change three times before reaching Ponte Santa Trinita.
The stretch of the road after the Ponte Vecchio felt even more expansive than ever before with its new sidewalk along the brick wall and the street still officially closed to motorized vehicles. Pedestrians ambled along the road, basking in the warm air that was both invigorating and relaxing. The sun glowed behind the clouds and peeked out every once in a while to remind us that its rays are still strong.
During the summer months, Florence feels more relaxing on Sunday mornings. The pace is slower, and the mood is lighter.
With billowy clouds gliding across the light blue sky, I paused at the beginning of Ponte Santa Trinita. I had wanted to take a picture of Estate (the Summer statue on the bridge’s northwest corner), but a small group had gathered below it.
As I approached the middle of the bridge, I was delighted to see a few renaioli (sand digger boats) carrying passengers on the Arno. Because of the construction work, access to the river was limited.
I placed my hands on the bridge’s barrier to watch the renaioli pass beneath the Ponte Vecchio. My shoulders relaxed as I reveled in the soft colors and calm waters.
When the noon bells sounded, I continued on to Piazza Santo Spirito. I glanced at the river one last time after passing Inverno (the statue representing Winter) on Ponte Santa Trinita.
Via delle Terme — July 26, 2025
Instead of walking down Borgo Sant’Apostoli with its quaint shops and discreet restaurants, I opted for Via delle Terme. The one-way street was rather quiet with only a handful of pedestrians. I passed restaurants and a shoe repair shop before arriving alongside a bustling parking lot.
As I made my way toward Via Tornabuoni, I lifted my head to peer at the hazy sky. The sunbeams were glowing instead of piercing through the clouds.
When, I caught sight of Piazza Santa Trinita, my eyes were drawn to the Statua della Giustizia (Column of Justice). The sun peered above the statue’s shoulder and cast a long shadow that almost reached my feet.
Standing nestled between tall stone buildings, I pulled out my iPhone and snapped this moment. The sultry air was imbued with the city’s odors. I inhaled deeply when a slight breeze skimmed my skin like a whisper.
When a small group was approaching me from behind, I continued my stroll forward. My eyes focused on the statue until I was standing beneath it.
Giardino Bardini —August 2, 2025
A cool breeze grazed my face as I crossed the Ponte alle Grazie. While I stood under the pergola in the Giardino Bardini, it returned. The wisteria’s green leaves fluttered in the air as its pods, shaped like long teardrops, swayed. Tiny white butterflies danced around the hydrangeas while a lone pigeon soared overhead.
The sound of the bustling construction sites didn’t deter me from reveling in the garden’s tranquility. I scanned the view below the cloudless sky. From the Basilica di San Lorenzo to the Torre della Zecca. Each time my eyes swept the landscape, other details, like garden terraces and loggias, caught my attention.
At noon, the church bells chimed. I basked in the unique melodies coming from the different churches, like the Duomo and Santa Croce, while cicadas were singing in the background.
Afterwards, I perused the olive grove. The yellowish grass contrasted with the silvery green leaves on the long branches that were hiding clusters of tiny olives.
I walked down the pergola and then turned the corner to continue along the gravel path below the fruit orchard. I kept my eyes on the panorama, but glanced at the rose bushes and sniffed the open blossoms.
Before stepping into the villa, I took a deep breath to savor the garden’s warm and rich scent. By the time I reached the sidewalk, the garden had become a distant memory. The air was still between the stone buildings on Via dei Bardi. I turned the corner and headed toward the Arno where I could feel the gentle wind once again.
Basilica di Santo Spirito —August 10, 2025
After making my rounds in the Basilica di Santo Spirito, I entered the sagrestia ottagonale (octagonal sacristy) and took a seat. With my head tilted up, I gazed at Michelangelo’s Crocifisso (Crucifix). A small group circled the sagrestia to study the reliquie (relics) on the altars.
I headed outside to the chiostro (cloister) to visit the garden. The branches of two ginkgo trees were covered with fan-like leaves. The air was warm and stagnant in the square courtyard.
Alone, I visited the different rooms to view the frescoes until I reached the entrance to the garden. Bright yellow lemons hung from the trees, obscured by their broad leaves. The fountain had so many water lilies that the water wasn’t visible.
Once I stepped back onto the terracotta tiles, I sat down on a wooden bench. The wall behind me was covered with marble lapidi (memorial plaques). The trickling water in the fountain coaxed me to relax my body and breathe. A few visitors wandered around the loggia as I admired the pale purple flowers and verdant bushes in the courtyard.
With only ten minutes left before Santo Spirito closed, I returned inside to sit down and bask in the vastness of the church.
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