Settings for ‘Hope Restored in Florence’

The beautiful city of Florence is the inspiration and setting for my second novel. I regularly look through my library of pictures taken during my stays in 2016 and 2018. I hope to whet your appetite by showing you many of the locations where the plot of the novel plays out.

The beauty of Florence can be appreciated from the panoramic views from Piazzale Michaelangelo

The beauty of Florence can be appreciated from the panoramic views from Piazzale Michaelangelo

The 1966 flood of the Arno is described early in the book

The 1966 flood of the Arno is described early in the book

The marriage between Grand Duke Cosimo de Medici and Eleanora of Toledo forms the historical core of the noble. Here they are portrayed by Agnolo Bronzino, court artist

The marriage between Grand Duke Cosimo de Medici and Eleanora of Toledo forms the historical core of the noble. Here they are portrayed by Agnolo Bronzino, court artist

Lucrezia witnesses the restoration of Vasari’s ‘Christ Carrying the Cross’ in the basilica of Santa Croce. It was witnessing this work in situ, where I stood watching for an hour, that inspired me to include art restoration in the plot

Lucrezia witnesses the restoration of Vasari’s ‘Christ Carrying the Cross’ in the basilica of Santa Croce. It was witnessing this work in situ, where I stood watching for an hour, that inspired me to include art restoration in the plot

Piazza Santo Spirito and the Palazzo Guidagni, where Lucrezia has her apartment

Piazza Santo Spirito and the Palazzo Guidagni, where Lucrezia has her apartment

Eleanora and Cosimo were wed in San Lorenzo; here are the nave, high altar and the tomb of Piero and Giovanni de Medici

Eleanora and Cosimo were wed in San Lorenzo; here are the nave, high altar and the tomb of Piero and Giovanni de Medici

Gio takes Lucrezia in to Santa Felicita to see the ‘Deposition’ by Jacopo Pontormo. When I saw this work it had been renovated just days before and the colours were breathtaking. I think it is one of the most beautiful paintings I have ever seen

Giulia takes Lucrezia and the group on a tour to the Palazzo Vecchio. Before they enter, outside they see the equestrian monument to Cosimo, Cellini’s bronze ‘Perseus with the Head of Medusa’ and the Uffizi, with its sculpture of Cosimo

Giulia takes Lucrezia and the group on a tour to the Palazzo Vecchio. Before they enter, outside they see the equestrian monument to Cosimo, Cellini’s bronze ‘Perseus with the Head of Medusa’ and the Uffizi, with its sculpture of Cosimo

In the Palazzo, they visit the Salon dei Cinquecento and the apartments of Eleanora, where they marvel at Bronzino’s art in the chapel

In the Palazzo, they visit the Salon dei Cinquecento and the apartments of Eleanora, where they marvel at Bronzino’s art in the chapel

On a walk through the city centre, Guilia shows Lucrezia the Medici palace, the magnificent East doors of the baptistery – described by Michaelangelo as the ‘gates of paradise’ – and Orsanmichele, with its miraculous tabernacle and external sculpture gallery. Lucrezia marvels at the genius of Verrochio’s ‘Christ and St Thomas’

On a walk through the city centre, Guilia shows Lucrezia the Medici palace, the magnificent East doors of the baptistery – described by Michaelangelo as the ‘gates of paradise’ – and Orsanmichele, with its miraculous tabernacle and external sculpture gallery. Lucrezia marvels at the genius of Verrochio’s ‘Christ and St Thomas’

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