Ending 1969 (and 2021), a photo from Florence, Tuscany

Photographer's Note

Most of you will recognize the red brick dome of the Cathedral of Florence, Basilica di Santa Maria del Flore, and the adjacent bell tower. Both are regarded as among the greatest works of the early Italian Renaissance, the dome from 1436 being designed by Filippo Brunelleschi and the tower (1334–1359) by Giotto di Bondone.

I like the red brick roofs of ordinary buildings just as much as the view of the iconic masterpieces of architecture.

But from where did I take the photo? That remains a mystery to me. I have looked at the map, trying to estimate the angle and distance, but haven't found any obvious explanation.

Those of you who know Florence will probably suggest the Piazzale Michelangelo, a well known place on a hill across the river from central Florence. But I have no memory of being there, and in any case I don't think I could have taken such a "close" view with the simple camera I had. The church of Santa Croce seems to be in the right direction, but is the tower behind it open to the public? More likely I climbed the tower of the Palazzo Vecchio, but the angle seems completely wrong.

Why hadn't I learned the importance of a diary???

If anyone knows the answer, please let me know. Meanwhile I invite you to enjoy this rather grainy photo which was scanned from an Agfacolor CT18 slide taken in the summer of 1969.

I will add two photos in the WS. With these I end my short summary of a long journey to Italy 52 years ago. After Florence I spent a couple of days in Ravenna, enjoying its fantastic mosaics but taking uninteresting photos, and another few days in Venice, where I seem to have taken no photos at all!

By the way: Happy New Year!

Fis2, PaulVDV, ikeharel, pierrefonds, jhm, adramad, mcmtanyel, COSTANTINO, jean113, aliabazari, macjake, Royaldevon has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

pajaran (115831) 2021-12-31 0:45

Pozdrav.

Lep pogled, interesantan i dobar tekst ...
Lepi krovovi i deo grada, dobro pokazano sa lepim bojama, kontrastom i perspektivom.
Dobar rad sa lepim fotografijama u radionici.
Lepe fotografije i secanje.

Zelim vam lep dan, sve najbolje za docek nove godine.
Paja

Fis2 (170693) 2021-12-31 0:49

Witaj Gert!
A very interesting view, the roofs, the dome and the tower are impressive!
I like POV, colors and light.
Nice photo from your archive.
Well done.

Happy New Year 2022 for You and your family!
Krzysztof

PaulVDV (62880) 2021-12-31 0:49

Hello Gert,
I don't think it is possible to take such a photo from Piazzale Michelangelo. Strange that this viewpoint didn't have that fame in 1969 or that you decided not to go there.
So you only realized the importance of a diary later on. But on your next travels, you have been very meticulous.
Perhaps you took the photo from in your hotel ...
Anyway, it has an interesting foreground.
It was a very strange journey then: so many days in Rome and Florence. Very good in itself of course.
But at the end a few days in Venice where you didn't take a single picture. If you kept a journal at the time, it might read 'Stunned by the beauty of the city. Therefore impossible to take pictures'.
In the photo of the Santa Maria Novella it indeed seems as if the city is being redeveloped.
The other picture in the WS shows your already existing interest in human presence in your photos.
Best wishes for a healthy and prosperous new year!
Paul

ikeharel (113291) 2021-12-31 0:53

Red roof-tops of Firenze, an old photo but the scenery did not change much since, Gert.
Warm afternoon light gave special texture to the outcome.
Cheers and a happy 2022 new year, with best helth and everything you wish, my friend.
Ike

Silvio1953 (221525) 2021-12-31 1:31

Ciao Gert, fascinating view of Florence from 52 years ago, wonderful colors, splendid light and excellent clarity, great quality for a scanvery well done, my friend, Happy New Year, ciao Silvio

Gerrit (62042) 2021-12-31 3:57

Hello Grt,
Interesting view over Florence with all those TV-antenna's that are showing the time in which the photo was taken,
Thanks and regards,
Gerrit

pierrefonds (114395) 2021-12-31 5:47

Hi Gert,

The point of view is showing the details of the buildings and of the dome and tower of the Santa Maria del Forle cathedral in Florence. It is clear and precise. The light is bitrnging out the colors. Have a nice day.

Pierre

jhm (211736) 2021-12-31 9:15

Hello Gert,

I've almost always the same question, how would this same image are now.
For you and your family a healthy 2022.
Also yet much nice pictures.
Very well done, TFS.

Best regards,
John

adramad (72970) 2021-12-31 9:38

Hi Gert.
These photos of Florence are wonderful, I really like this main one with the foreground of terraces and roofs, while the fireplace forms a curious set with the tower and dome of the cathedral.
Very effective coloring, good brightness and sharpness.
Very well done. I like very much.
I wish you a Happy New Year's Eve and all the best for the New Year 2022.
Luis

jmdias (115100) 2021-12-31 9:41

gert

I liked more the first WS, it is more beautiful and my hotel was near that church. haha. I liked the last WS too, despite the low quality we can see many interesting details and I guess I didn't visited that place. I guess tourism in 1969 had a more authentic aspect than today where many people are travelling only "to say I was there".

take care

jorge

lousat (139220) 2021-12-31 10:22

Hi Gert,three beautiful memories from Florence once again, I'm glad you liked my WS, in fact the photo came from Piazzale Michelangelo. I find the photo of the market very interesting, it reminds me of how we were dressed and what life was like 52 years ago. Excellent perspective also in the main photo, with a very special view of the dome of the Duomo. Classic postcard for Santa Maria Novella. Happy New Year and thanks,Luciano

kasianowak (17676) 2021-12-31 12:56

Hi Gert
I think "your" viewpoint was lower than Piazzale Michelangelo. Photos from there would show the dome much less obscured by the surrounding roofs. And yes, unless you cropped this image a lot, you would need a telephoto lens to zoom in like this.
But it's a nice image anyway! Thanks for the WS photos too. This church is one of my favourite buildings in Florence and I looked at the way people dressed in Italy a year before my birth with great interest.
Once again, happy new year!
Kasia

emka (158092) 2021-12-31 16:18

Hello Gert, I tried to solve this puzzle but I didn't get a result. I looked at the map but I have no idea from where this photo could be taken. I have many photos taken from Piazzale Michelangelo and the view is different, it is not the right angle. I do not know what the high points are available in Florence. I tried to identify this tower, but I can't find it. The building under strange chimneys looks familiar but I can't remember what it is.

Happy New Year

Malgo

mcmtanyel (68447) 2021-12-31 21:26

Hello Gert,
Oh yes, those TV antennae say it's before cable TV times. I miss those times of my youth.
Happy 2022,
MT

ifege (48019) 2021-12-31 22:23

Hi Gert
3 very different interesting photos from Florence.
On my equivalent trip a year or so later I hadn't started keeping a journal either so guesses are often necessary. Decent scans.
cheers
Ian

COSTANTINO (116421) 2021-12-31 23:00

Hello my dearest friend Gert
have a pleasant new Sunday
at the beginning of a new
difficult year 2022...
we accept the invitation
to enjoy this rather
grainy photo which was scanned
great work from you my dear friend
with the best result and the
end of a long journey to italy
52 years ago...
you are a very lucky man indeed
regards
costantino

dedee (3049) 2022-01-01 5:08

Hi Gert
The colours are lovely. I doubt much has changed in the intervening years.
We have so many photos with just a generic title so never sure of exact location.
Happy New Year
David

jean113 (27847) 2022-01-03 8:15

Hello Gert, the sight of Brunelleschi's Dome, and we have to be in Florence. I loved how it dominated the skyline from many points of view.
I can't help you with your location here, but I do like the point of view looking across the many rooftops.
Quite an abundance of TV aerials too; today it just might be satellite dishes.
You have added two interesting w/s shots.
Kind regards, Jean.

aliabazari (22127) 2022-01-05 2:34

Hello Gert
Beautiful view of this church. Good text. Well done. Thanks for sharing

GyurMaster (24818) 2022-01-05 11:58

Dear Gert,

I like the lights and the colours of this photo, the result is very cosy. Also, the roof balcony is very inviting. A ot of people living in big cities would envy such balconies.

Best Wishes, including a Happy New Year!
Gy.

macjake (98438) 2022-01-12 14:13

Hi Gert
very cool to see the lawns in the Santa Maria shot, I was there a few years ago, so ya...very interesting. 100000% know this photo was NOT taken from the famous 'on the hill' location, its not as obstructed as this. my guess would be it was taken from a window or balcony from the place you were staying at or from a restaurant balcony? its very good because we don't see this, its your own view, your own shot - even if you can't remember.
cheers
Craig

Royaldevon (85896) 2022-01-14 5:56

Hello Gert,

By observing this very well scanned photograph, I get the feeling that this is what Florence was like for ordinary citizens, rather than tourists. Of course, the Duomo stands out, as it does from many parts of the city, but your photograph records the ordinary places with red-tiled roofs and tall chimneys. There is a great mixture of buildings, so interesting to study.
Your w/s show a garden in the making and the busy nature of open markets!

My warm regards,
Bev :-)