The Night of Crossed Destinies

North Cyprus Turtle Project invites you to experience a marvel of nature. You can observe sea turtles laying eggs in the silence and darkness of the midnight beach… An opportunity of a lifetime …

I already knew, on our way to Alagadi, that it would be a poetic night. A full moon, the stillness of the mountains beyond the beach, and the gentle breeze carrying the salty breath of the Mediterranean… We drive to Alagadi, known alternatively by locals as the Turtle Beach. It has been estimated that as few as 300-400 green turtles and 2,000 loggerheads nest throughout the Mediterranean each year. For both species, but in particular the Green Turtle, Northern Cyprus is clearly an extremely important nesting site. Alagadi is considered to be the fifth major nesting site in the Mediterranean for Loggerhead and Green turtles.
We take the turn right and follow signposts to ‘Turtle Project’. The information office, situated some distance from the beach, is known as the Goatshed. This is our meeting point before we set out to observe the nesting of sea turtles tonight. North Cyprus Turtle Project, known as the Marine Turtle Research Group, was initiated in 1992 by Kuzey Kibris Kaplumbagalari Koruma Dernegi (Society for the Protection of Turtles in Northern Cyprus, KKKKD/SPOT), which invited staff and students from Glasgow University to conduct a survey of the nesting beaches in Northern Cyprus. This took the form of an undergraduate expedition lasting three months. Since 1992 over 200 students and staff from British universities have taken part in the annual monitoring and conservation of marine turtles in Northern Cyprus. Work is carried out at the request of and in conjunction with members of the local Society for the Protection of Turtles and the local Department of Environmental Protection.
Around 21:00, we start our long walk from the goatshed to the beach under the guidance of the students who are involved in the Turtle Project. It is a night when destinies cross: the full moon above, the guests that accompany our walk and the mother turtle who is now swimming somewhere in the sea towards some point on the beach to lay her eggs. It is as if we are marching to meet our fate for tonight, somehow taking us to this silent corner of nature. I think of people in the city, killing time in front of their tellies. I am filled with the enthusiasm and delight of being here, and I cannot help but picture in my mind the mother turtle now somewhere in the sea, heading to our shore.

A Patch of Dark on the Sand
21:30… We lay our belongings at a point on the sand. One of the students says a female turtle is approaching. She crawls out of the sea, pausing frequently as if carefully scoping out her spot. We should stop at a distance so as not to alarm her. Maybe she will decide to stay over, and we can then approach her. Sometimes it happens that a turtle crawls out of the sea but for some unknown reason decides not to nest. This is called a "false crawl": it can happen naturally, be caused by artificial lighting or by the presence of people on the beach. All we can do for now is to wait until the students tell us the time is right to approach her.
Normally the students survey the beach every five minutes to check if some turtle comes nesting, and to inspect the nests that are close to hatching. Tonight we do not hear of any other turtles. There is only the one close to us. We learn that when the moon is full turtles are less liable to come to the shore for nesting and besides they usually tend to come much later in the night. This night it seems we are in luck. Whilst waiting we approach Robin Snape, the 25 year old project leader, to obtain some information about the marine turtles that visit Alagadi and the Turtle Project.

Turtles Visiting Alagadi and the Turtle Project
Robin tells us that two types of sea turtles come to lay their eggs at Alagadi: Loggerheads, which are publicly known as Caretta Caretta; and Green turtles. Green turtles, which grow bigger than the Loggerheads, come in large numbers, says Robin, especially this year. They are more specific about their nesting places than the Loggerheads. The Turtle Project volunteers and staff survey the beaches both day and night. They have two groups, working in shifts. Although their main headquarters is in Alagadi, they also have teams in Güzelyurt and Karpaz. Robin says the living conditions and opportunities differ from one base to another, so they regularly change places to be fair to all. For instance, the three students living in Karpaz are staying in a fire station with the firemen. This may be limiting to their social life. At the same time, Robin does not forget to mention the kind people who so generously offered them friendly places in which to stay.
Robin receives a message from the students who have been observing the mother turtle from close by, and now we know it is time…. it is time to meet our little girl who was swimming to the shore as we were walking to the beach.

Our Lady Turtle is Nesting
Sea turtles are generally slow and awkward on land, and nesting is exhausting work. The female turtle flings away loose sand with her flippers. She constructs a body pit by digging with her flippers and rotating her body. After the body pit is complete she digs an egg cavity, using her cupped rear flippers as shovels. The egg cavity is shaped roughly like a teardrop and is usually tilted slightly. When the turtle has finished digging the egg chamber she begins to lay her eggs. The average size of a clutch ranges from about 80 to 120 eggs. However, only a few of them produce healthy hatchlings. Nesting sea turtles appear to shed tears, but the turtle is just excreting the salt that accumulates in her body. Many people believe that while laying her eggs a sea turtle goes into a trance from which she cannot be disturbed. This is not entirely true. A sea turtle is least likely to abandon nesting when she is laying her eggs, but some turtles will abort the process if they are harassed or feel they are in danger. For this reason, it is important that sea turtles are never disturbed during nesting. As our lady, a Green Turtle, starts laying her eggs students measure her and keep her records. Her shell is 87cm, which is quite big for a Green Turtle. I ask Robin her age. He says it is not possible to tell exactly, but the project records have her tagged previously on this beach about 10 years ago. Then we calculate: given the fact that turtles reach adulthood at 30, and she was tagged some ten years ago, she might be around 40 years old. However it is quite possible that she used to come here before she was tagged. Therefore, according to Robin, she might well be 50 or even up to 80 years old.
Once all the eggs are in the chamber the mother turtle uses her rear flippers to push sand over the top of the egg cavity. Gradually, she packs the sand down over the top and then begins using her front flippers to refill the body pit and disguise the nest. The students mark the egg chamber by placing some sticks around it because, as she throws sand in all directions, it is hard to locate the nest afterwards. When she has moved about 2-3 metres from the nest the students start digging to identify the exact location of the egg chamber. Once they locate it, they place a cage around the nest to protect it from dangers. The last thing we want, says Graham Mumby, the project coordinator, is someone to drive a parasol directly into a nest so we place these cages over them. Another danger comes from predators. As the hatchlings start to come out they spread a particular smell, which is scented by dogs wandering around. Attracted by the smell the dogs will dig the ground to reach the hatchlings and eat them. For this reason a net is also placed over the nest.

Significant Work for Natural Survival
23:30… Our lady turtle looks exhausted now. Whilst watching her one feels very sensitive about the threats that endanger the turtles’ existence. I have always felt attracted to their elegant nature; the hard work of their motherhood, their mysterious selectivity of beaches, their lovely babies… but here, watching her laying eggs and undertaking this exhausting job with her big and aged body, is an extraordinary feeling. After throwing sand for a couple of minutes using her flippers, she stops to rest briefly. Then, taking a deep breath, she starts moving her flippers again…
According to information from Robin a turtle nests almost five times a season, leaving approximately a hundred eggs in each nest. Out of five hundred eggs around 350 will hatch, but only one in a thousand hatchlings will survive to adulthood and be able to carry on the cycle of life. Therefore, Robin stresses, if a turtle gets hurt or killed it puts at risk their very existence. Threats are not limited to the low rate of reaching adulthood, unfortunately. Sea turtles also face a myriad of dangers: industrial fishing, coastal development, and global climate change pose the greatest challenges to their continued survival. Due to these threats, many sea turtle species are now listed as endangered. Given all these facts you truly appreciate all the hard work done by the students, volunteers, and staff here at the Turtle Project to help save the lives of these turtles …

Back to the Sea
Our lady Green Turtle is now happy with the concealment of her nest. She slowly crawls her way back into the sea. Exhausted, she will rest in the waters to regain her strength before nesting again later in the season, finally beginning the migration back to her feeding ground. She meets the dark waters washed by blue moonlight, slowly disappearing, giving her bodily weight to the sea.
For us, the visitors, she came out of nowhere and she has returned to a mysterious corner of the deep. Somehow the paths of our destinies crossed tonight… my eyes wander the long beach as far as I can see under the dim moonlight. I see tens of nests marked by cages around them. I try imagining how wonderful it would feel to be able to experience this extraordinary event every night. In the dark, on the beach, you secretly become a part of nature – the realm of marvels.

Baby Caretta Carettas Surprise Us
As we were packing for our return journey, we approached a nest protected by a ring cage and a pyramid cage. Whilst trying to take a photo of this cage in the dark, holding our torches, we suddenly discovered a little baby turtle! And then another one! We yelled at the students “there are baby turtles here!” They came at once to record the hatching nest. The babies, they told us, are Caretta Caretta turtles. They, the students tell us, are identified by being totally black and, to our amazement, they told us that they might excavate the nest the next day! Nothing will hold us back from coming here and seeing baby Caretta Carettas coming out of their nest!

*published in Caretta Magazine, Aug 2008
** see "Caretta Caretta Babies Come Out!" - sequel to this article

Caretta Caretta Babies Come Out!

While watching a huge Green Turtle laying eggs, we discovered two baby Loggerheads in a near nest! Today, we are going back to Alagadi to join the public excavation of the nest! Somewhere in the sand, those babies are waiting to be discovered and released to the sea….

When some sea turtles are just coming to lay their eggs, the first nests begin to open and baby sea turtles make their way to the sea. Following our surprising discovery of two Loggerhead babies on the beach last night, today we are informed that there will be a public excavation at 17:00. You are also invited!
During their regular nightwatches, the students in the Turtle Project, check the nests which are older than 40 days. This indicates that the nest could hatch any time. Therefore, these nests get different treatment to protect any early babies from being eaten or destroyed. They place a pyramid cage to protect any predators stealing into the nest, and a ring cage around it so that if any babies come out of the nest, they stay within this ring until the students find them. We had approached this kind of nest last night as we were about to leave the beach after having watched a 87-cm Green Turtle lay her eggs; and we had discovered two baby Loggerhead sea turtles, which are commonly known as Caretta Caretta.

Excavating the Nest
As hatchlings usually emerge from their nest at night when temperatures are cooler, upon such discovery, the following day the Turtle Project places notices at crowded places in the city to invite people to join public excavation. The people already on the beach willingly approach to witness the birth of the hatchlings. So, it is always very crowded. To prevent any chaos, and to secure their smooth working without any harm to the babies, first the students tape off the area around the nest and a small area near the sea, where they will let the babies perform their legendary walk to the sea.
Excavating hatched sea turtle nests, or ones that have failed to hatch, provides crucial information for understanding turtle hatching successes and failures. Students try to understand the reasons for unsuccessful or high mortality-rate turtle nests. At the end of the season with all the data the volunteers and workers write the final report on the sea turtle nesting season.

Babies Show Up
The students slowly dig the sand using their hands and fingers. This process should be done carefully not to cause any damage to the babies. We start finding them close to the surface. At first, one shows himself. Then, a second, and a third one! They are all covered in sand! You can see a dark spot at the place of their eyes! The students measure them, and weigh them to keep a record. Then they all go into a bucket. Soon, Graham (Graham Mumby, the project coordinator) finds a pip, just coming out of its shell. One of the students takes it around to make everyone see it. It is so hard to believe these little creatures grow so big and heavy. They are Loggerhead babies, which means they will grow nearly to 110 cm. They look so fragile and tiny! They are lucky because they are not left alone to their fate. Many dangers await them on the pathway to their adulthood from the very first moment of their lives.
Once they get out of the nest, the hatchlings orient themselves to the brightest horizon and then dash toward the sea. If they don't make it to the sea quickly, many hatchlings will die of dehydration in the sun or be caught by predators like birds and crabs. Once in the water, there are still many obstacles for hatchlings. Sharks, big fish and circling birds all eat baby turtles, and they die after accidentally eating tar balls and plastic garbage. The obstacles are so numerous for baby turtles that only about one in 1,000 survives to adulthood.

Power of Nature
During the excavation, the Turtle Project team discovers 72 eggs; 16 of them alive. Sixteen Caretta Caretta babies are now ready to go into the sea… The students take them in their hands and leave them at some distance on the beach to let us see how they crawl towards the water. Everybody watches them amazed! Years later, if any of them could survive, she will come back to lay her eggs here, on this beach. At the very place her life started, she will give life to other turtles… If preserved effectively, Alagadi will continue to raise a myriad of turtles in her womb.

*published in Caretta Magazine, Aug 2008
** This article is a prequel to "The Night of Crossed Destinies"

City of one thousand lights: Birmingham

As our plane descends, our sight is enchanted by the enormous green fields that encircle the city of Birmingham. Situated in the West-Midlands region of England, Birmingham lies at such a position that it almost holds the centre of what is known as the ‘historic heart of England’, where traces of many a medieval town still remain. This quality offers the city a different kind of importance, for the thrill it offers with its gorgeous shopping centres is doubled with the journey it offers into the depths of Britain’s history.
Birmingham is considered to be the second largest city of England. It has a big airport and an efficient railway web, which makes it quite easy to get around. As we leave the airport, we take the first train to the city centre. We are planning to have a quick look at the city, to breathe its unique air. The following day will see a high-rhythm tour of the city. I would like to remind you that there are three big railway stations at the city centre. This may give you an idea about the tourist flow and size of the city.
Unjust promotional campaignBirmingham is mainly famous for being an industrial city. The city's reputation was strengthened as a powerhouse of the Industrial Revolution in Britain. The city was referred to as "the workshop of the world" or the "city of a thousand trades". Today, nothing so old or historic is observable at the city centre. For today's Birmingham is chiefly a product of the 18th, 19th, and 20th centuries, as its real growth began with the Industrial Revolution.
Mainly Birmingham is marked with being the centre of bubbling nightlife and scintillating shopping. However, this seems to me a monocular way of promoting the city as there is so much in Birmingham both historically and artistically. Not to mention the 17th and 18th century houses scattered around the city; museums in Birmingham boast an elite selection of paintings ranging from those of Rubens, Dante Gabriel Rossetti, Monet, Renoir, Degas, and René Magritte. Housing also a science museum, botanical gardens and jewellery quarter; Birmingham is home to two famous football clubs: Aston Villa and Birmingham City. The famous City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, a prominent orchestra worldwide-acknowledged for their memorable performances, offers you an unforgettable soirée of classical music in the gorgeous Symphony Hall. You may get a chance to watch one of the amazing performances of Birmingham Royal Ballet. In brief, Birmingham has something to offer for every taste.
Victoria Square: the heart of the cityWe head for the Victoria Square, which is one of the most vibrant places in the city centre. Crowned with the Victorian-style architecture of Birmingham City Council on one side and Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery on the other, the square is adorned with Dhruva Mistry's sculpture, 'The River'. Everyone is very relaxed in this square, either sunbathing, having a break, taking a drink, or watching spontaneous dance and music shows held in the open space. Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery boasts having the largest collection of Pre-Raphealite art in the world. Do not overlook this experience!
One of the most beautiful buildings in the city centre, Birmingham Cathedral is very close to Victoria Square. I do not want to turn back to the hotel without seeing the four famous Pre-Raphaelite stained-glass windows by Sir Edward Burne-Jones.
Another thing to do before going to the hotel is of course stopping by a pub and drink beer. A tiring day of a long flight can only be celebrated with a lazy ending. Leaving the Victoria Square behind, we head for Brindley Place, a popular waterfront location combining restaurants, bars, cafés and shops. This is the right place for many people who wish to have good food in a pleasant atmosphere. We stop here and sip our drinks taking delight from the enchanting sight of the canal.
Historic heritage of BirminghamAs there is a lot to see in Birmingham, we leave our hotel early in the morning and head for an exceptional experience: Blakesley Hall. This is a 17th century house, still preserving its Tudor style. Delightfully restored, this handsome timber-framed Yeoman farmer’s house is one of the last surviving examples of its kind in Birmingham. Conveniently decorated to reflect the life-style of its time, the house opens a gate into the world of the Tudors. The wood flooring, oak-tree furnishings, painted wall hangings, and specially-designed settings in the rooms promise an unforgettable journey into the past. What is more, Blakesley Hall is set in landscaped grounds with a beautiful herb garden, which supply the owners with various herbs for pharmaceutical purposes, and an orchard.
Another experience of the Tudors is Selly Manor which is home to a stunning collection of furniture dating from 1500 to 1750.
Leaving the enchanting atmosphere of Tudor homes behind, we head for Sarehole Mill, which is rumoured to have provided early inspiration to J.R.R. Tolkien, the author of ‘Lord of the Rings’. A part of the official Tolkien Trail, Sarehole Mill is the only working watermill in Birmingham. The mill we see today was built in the 18th century; however historic evidence shows that there has been a mill on the site since 1542. Sarehole Mill houses various displays of agricultural implements and industrial machinery. Besides, it is located in the exquisite Shire Country Park, which is haven for birds and all kinds of wildlife. If you have the time, a stroll in the park might be relaxing and peaceful.
If you would like to make the most of Birmingham, you need to be on your feet. Fortunately, you can access most places by using the in-city buses.
Our next stop is Soho House. This elegant home once belonged to the industrial pioneer Matthew Boulton, who lived here from 1766 to 1809. This splendid house was the meeting place of Lunar Society – the greatest thinkers and scientists of the age. To much of our dismay, the owner of the house, Boulton, was also an artisan. His works, ranging from silver to ormolu, coins and cut steel are on display at the Soho House. As we walk along the rooms, richly decorated, the house manifests itself like a work of art.
There is the advantage of seeing a high-fashioned Jacobean house in Birmingham; and if you have never seen one before, you must head for Aston Hall. This house dates back to 1618 and boasts of unimaginably beautiful plasterwork, ceilings and exquisite friezes, a magnificent carved oak staircase and a spectacular Long Gallery. The textiles, furniture and paintings are a distinct pleasure to look at.
As the sun sets out to wane, we prepare our minds for a romantic evening and head for the canal to take a boat tour along. Just beside the Brindley Place, there are many boats moored waiting to take passengers on a sweet cruise along the canal. I think it is the best thing to do in order to relax after a tiring day, before hitting the shops.
As our boat sails on accompanied by ducks by the canal, we are charmed by the reflection of cloudy skies on the water.
Unlimited shoppingThere is no limit to shopping in Birmingham. The main street where the shops are located and people flock all day long is New Street. You may find expensive and chic shops side-by-side with the moderate ones. This means shopping for everyone! If you are not yet a shopaholic on your way to Birmingham, you will become one!
Besides moderate shopping centres such as Pallasades and Mailbox, Birmingham has one of the biggest shopping centres in Europe: Bullring. Built at a cost of over £500 million, Bullring brings over 26 football pitches worth of shops, boutiques and restaurants into the centre of town. Situated just at the opposite of the medieval church of St. Martin, Bullring creates a unique effect with its striking contemporary architecture.
Rubens, locomotives and precious gemsAnother day in Birmingham must be devoted to museums. Fascinating with its rich collection ranging from Rubens, Gainsborough, Turner and Rossetti to Monet, Renoir, Degas, Van Gogh, Picasso, and Magritte; the Barber Institute of Fine Arts should not be overlooked. Besides key paintings, the institute also offers a regular programme of exhibitions and concerts.
A must-visit museum is Think-tank science museum in Birmingham, renowned as an industrial city. This is a truly modern museum where visitors can investigate everything from locomotives and space travel to intestines and robots. I highly recommend you to take a tour of the night sky in the amazing digital planetarium. It is a matchless experience.
Seductive with the name for the ladies, the Jewellery Quarter is a unique area, which dates back to 250 years. Home to 400 jewellery businesses, the quarter has been described by English Heritage as a unique historic environment in England which has few, if any, parallels in Europe. Visitors should not miss a visit to the Museum of the Jewellery Quarter, based in an old jewellery factory. You can take a guided tour and learn about the history of the gems and the craft of jewellery making. Do not be afraid to shop in the Jewellery Quarter. One cannot help it anyway while surrounded by exclusive and elegant examples of handcrafted jewellery! Unexpectedly, the prices are competitive and affordable for an everlasting souvenir that will mark your Birmingham trip.
England is blessed with miles long green fields, which is a feast to the eyes and the soul. Birmingham is no exception. However, one must not leave without visiting the huge Botanical Garden & Glasshouse and Birmingham Nature Centre. Housing finest collection of plants in the Midlands, Botanical Garden is fifteen acres wide. The four glasshouses situated within contain a wide array of exotic and economic flora. On the other hand, Birmingham Nature Centre is home to over 130 species of animals, including the amazing red pandas, meerkats, guinea pigs, owls, snakes and lizards. Great fun for children is at hand in this environment.
Sweet world of CadburyAnother children attraction is without doubt the Cadbury World. Here you can enjoy the taste of Cadbury’s chocolate and discover its history and origins. Packed with chocolate, information and fun, an unmatchable experience awaits young and adult alike in the world of Cadbury.
As we step in the magical world of Cadbury, we are taken to Aztec Forests where the story of chocolate begins in the 600 AD. Travelling back through the centuries to the time of the Mayan Indians and the Aztecs, we walk through their forests and witness how cocoa became central to their way of life. We discover who was responsible for bringing the secret of chocolate to Europe. Then we meet Mr. John Cadbury who initiated the Cadbury today. He and his sons tell us about the story of how their family business developed. Next step is more and maybe the most thrilling one: How Cadbury chocolate is made. It is impossible not to be enchanted as we see the appetizing liquid chocolate pouring slowly. A peerless experience and a must for visitors of Birmingham...

City where the Renaissance never ends

As our plane approaches Florence, the city is visible from above for a brief instant. Displaying the city structure common to the Middle Ages, the city seems like a star from above. There is a grand square at the city centre where all roads end, and a majestic cathedral rises amongst scarlet roofs...
In fact it has been some time since I returned from Florence. Ever since it touched my life with its magic wand, I cannot take it off my mind. If you ever breathe in Florence, ever got lost in its streets with the sounds of cello, watched city-folk all night long sitting on the stairs of Santa Maria del Fiore, took a walk on Ponte Vecchio accompanied by a wave of wine fragrances, it means your life has already changed.
The odour of this city will never leave you alone... And nothing is going to be like it was before.

The capital city of Renaissance
When I landed in Peretola Airport, the sun was not yet down. I already marked the house I was going to stay on the map: it was in Piazza Beccaria, the east end of the historical city of Florence. Taking a cab, I enter the streets of the city.
This is Florence - narrow streets, centennial buildings, a secret of art piece in every corner. I am not attracted at all by the modern city around the old city with wide streets and grand buildings.
While the night is falling on the crimson tile roofs of the city, a glare floods inside the taxi cab: Santa Maria del Fiore. This monumental Duomo’s magnificence is breathtaking when flushed with lights at night.
Divided by Arno River, Florence is the capital city of Renaissance. Raised many a renowned artist in its bosom such as Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Botticelli and Dante, Florence is a privileged city dominated by the spirit of art.
As we arrive at Piazza Beccaria, I enter the 200 year old building, an old mansion divided into flats for modern use. I am going up to the top floor using the newly-added elevator inside a net. My flat is a small one opening onto a cute flowery courtyard, in which noisy Italian clamour echoes in the day time. Looking from the window at the lights of the city, I dream I will embrace Florence in the morning. Only a few hours later, I say to myself, to calm my excitement.

City tour
In the old city of Florence, it is easy to get around on foot. In any case most of the streets are too narrow for car access. Even the Municipality of Florence has very small buses to cruise around the narrow streets. Streets are so narrow that these buses warn pedestrians with constant signals.
My advice is a comprehensive Florence tour, which relies strictly on foot. Comprehensive yet not exhaustive, this is going to be a tour into the heart of Florence; breathing the mildewy air of the city reminding one of the scent of old books, feasting your eyes on Renaissance-masterpiece buildings, getting into the cityfolk and joining them.
The first point I will visit is Dante’s house, the poet whom I admire. Thus first I have to go through the San Giovanni Square where the city’s cathedral Santa Maria del Fiore Duomo stands. Hardly conceivable that it has been built by human power, this is the fifth greatest cathedral in the world. The Duomo has the fingerprints of the most famous architects and artists. For instance; the great dome was built by the architect genius Brunelleschi; its campanile was erected by a pioneer of Renaissance, Giotto; frescoes were coloured by Leonardo da Vinci’s master Verocchio. Duomo’s exterior bedecked with green and pink marbles peculiar to Toscana. Santa Maria del Fiore means ‘Mary of the Flowers’. Duomo, as might have been expected, was dedicated to Virgin Mary. Over the entrance door there is a statue of Virgin Mary on one side and a statue of Gabriel holding a lily, a symbol for innocence, on the other. Thus, the scene of “the Annunciation”, and of the most significant pieces of Christian iconography... Annunciation is the scene where Gabriel delivers the word of God to Mary, announcing her that the baby she is carrying is the Christ-child. The composition over the entrance of the Duomo places the word of God above the door; hence every-comer is blessed while entering the church.
The plans and drawings about the construction of Duomo, the machinery used, and most of the artworks collected from the interior are exhibited in the museum ‘Museo dell’Opera del Duomo’, situated just behind the Duomo.
The hexagonal structure before Duomo, is the baptistery, built over the traces of a Roman sanctuary. Believed to be the oldest heritage in Florence, the interior of the baptistery is covered with golden granoliths. Dedicated to Saint John the Baptist, the baptistery features three bronze doors, illustrating the life of the saint. These works of art were completed in 21 years by the Ghiberti. Thousands of tourists flock to the baptistery everyday both to see the granoliths and the doors. By the way, the original door panels are exhibited at ‘Museo dell’Opera del Duomo’.

Tracing the Divine Poet
Suddenly I find myself standing in front of Dante’s house, situated at an intersection of narrow streets. With its garden, gate latchers and structure, the house stands just like it was 650 years before. The impact is so strong that it feels like the divine poet would appear at the door and say, ‘prepare my horse’. The small church, just before the house, is the church where the Poet married Gemma Donati. The interior of the church is bedecked with pictures representing scenes from the Poet’s life. Lighting a candle in memory of my beloved Dante I leave the church...
As much as Renaissance, Florence reminds one of the patrons of Renaissance, the Medici Family. Ruling in Florence from the 13th to 17th century, the Medici family are renowned for their patronage in arts. Many eminent artists such as Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, Rafaello, Masaccio, Botticelli were patronized by the Medici Family. You may still feel the spirit of the Medici dominating the city. Structures such as Palazzo Vecchio, Palazzo Pitti, Giardino di Boboli, Palazzo Medici, Uffizi, Ponte Vecchio, Capelle Medicee are heritages of the Medici Family in the city of Florence. Moving into Brunelleschi-design Palazzo Pitti, after taking sojourn for many years in Palazzo Vecchio, the Medici had Boboli Gardens built behind their grandiose palace, equal in beauty to the Gardens of Versailles. Florence City State’s administrative centre, Uffizi today serves as a museum harbouring enchanting works of Italian art. Today a market place for romantic evening walks, Ponte Vecchio was originally constructed for Medici Family members to walk from Uffizi to the Palazzo Pitti, situated on the other side of the river, without mingling with the people.

Michelangelo
Constructed for the burial of Medici Family members Capelle Medicee, is both a splendid mausoleum and a museum with a rich collection of holy relics. Michelangelo’s famous allegories; Night, Day, Dawn and Dusk, are also located in the Medici Chapels.
Michelangelo’s noted sculpture of David is in Florence as well. While a copy of the sculpture stands before Palazzo Vecchio, the original piece is exhibited at Galleria dell’Accademia. Most of the statues from Michelangelo’s ‘Prigioni’ series are also exhibited in Galleria dell’Accademia. ‘Prigioni’ (Prisoners) series feature semi- and raw figures coming out of the marble block. Let the question be discussed whether these pieces are incomplete or Michelangelo consciously left them incomplete, the significant thing is what he thought: Michelangelo believed that each marble block hid a figure. According to him, the sculptor should set this figure free. Prigioni embody the ideas of their creator.
Galleria dell’Accademia features a rich collection of Italian artists. In the small building behind the main building, there is also an instrument museum belonging to Luigi Cherubini Conservatory.

Florence at dusk
The best thing to do in Florerence at sunset is to watch the city from above while supping your wine at Piazzale Michelangelo. Pray do not get it wrong, Piazzale Michelangelo is not a luxury restaurant, looking over the city. Instead, it is a large panoramic square on one of the small hills around the old city. Make sure you do not forget to take a bottle of wine with you, as you set out to climb this gorgeous square.
In order to reach Piazzale Michelangelo, you need to depart from Piazza della Signoria, marked by Palazzo Vecchio, towards Arno. Passing along Ufizzi, you need to cross on Ponte alle Grazie on the left.
It is possible to get up the hill, covered with beautiful flora, both by following the road or using stairs built for pedestrians. This is a cosy square where people potter putter modestly, children rush and skate, colourful vans sell Italian ice cream. As the sun goes down all the monuments of Florence come to the scene. Major part played by Duomo; Palazzo Vecchio, Badia Fiorentina and Santa Croce in the supporting roles.
The sine qua non of a Florence tour is visiting the museums and seeing as many works of Italian art as possible. Besides the national museums like Ufizzi, Galleria dell’Accademia, Palazzo Vecchio, Bargello, Museo dell’Opera del Duomo; churches and palaces boast important works of art no less than museums.
Marking the first scene in the ‘Decameron’ of Boccaccio, the Church of Santa Maria Novella displays unique samples of gothic and early Renaissance art. Santa Croce Church houses Galilee’s and Michelangelo’s tombs. San Miniato al Monte Church, situated on the heights of the city just like Piazzale Michelangelo, showcases Luca della Robbia’s works, ceramic master of the Middle Ages.

Ice cream, music and entertainment alla Italiana
Besides a rich artistic heritage as the city of Renaissance, Florence has a vital social life. You may have the chance to get delighted with amateur street performances at Piazza della Repubblica while you are having your ice cream. Florence is adorned with music at every corner. While wandering along the streets, the melodies of Vivaldi or gypsies accompany your walk, putting butterflies in your stomach.
One of the tourist-ridden places of summer nights is the front side of Uffizi Museum. This rectangle square is mostly stage to concerts, plays or dance performances. If you pass through Ponte Vecchio by chance, you can enjoy the lights of Florence with the melodies of the street singer, who is much like a phenomenon playing his guitar on the bridge for many years now. Or you might get into a crowd in front of Santa Maria del Fiore and enjoy a romantic Italian night under the lights of the Duomo.
Florence is situated in Toscana region, the heart of Italy. Famous for its rich and nutritious flora and fauna, Toscana is the perfect place to taste the Italian cuisine. Piazza della Signoria houses a number of pizza restaurants, with a beautiful view and affordable prices. However, if you think sitting and eating is a waste of time while there is a lot to see; you may find take-away pizza eateries on Via dei Calzaiuoli or Via Roma.
Although the capital of Italian fashion is known as Milano, there are also classy shops in Florence. Generally concentrated around Duomo, shops not only sell stylish garments, but also fascinating house decoration products. Shopaholics, especially for the Italian wonder shoes should spare a special budget.
While walking along on the streets of Florence, I can feel why this city has been the flower of arts for ages. Today a new Renaissance is at hand in the streets of Florence, the beautiful capital of culture, shaped in the hands of artists. Despite its artistic sway, Florence does not have frowning eyebrows and is absolutely not clumsy. Students flocking all over the world to Florence to study arts and design, carry the enthusiasm and dynamism of the Renaissance to present.

Don’t leave without...
• Watching the city above at Piazzale Michelangelo
• Visiting the worlds fifth greatest cathedral Santa Maria del Fiore
• Getting up to the campanile of Giotto
• Tasting Italian style ice cream
• Getting high with guitar melodies at Ponte Vecchio
• Visiting Uffizi, where works of da Vinci, Botticelli, Michelangelo, Caravaggio and many more are exhibited.