Lynn Schirmer

In 2006, Su took what was her first trip to Europe. This seemed surprising for an Art History Instructor, that she had not yet managed to see the great works of Western Art in person. I read the short journal she kept of her trip. She chose to visit 3 cities, all in Italy, Venice, Florence and Rome.

She wrote in her journal that of the 3 cities Florence “Felt like home.” So I brought her here. My plan was to let her go in the Arno River, but on a short trip into the hills yesterday, I knew I had found the right place.

Fiesole is a small hill town about 20 minutes north of Florence. It is known for its Etruscan and Roman ruins. Apparently it was so well fortified it took Rome a long time to conquer it.

I took a bus to get there on what I could see from the forecast would probably be my last sunny day in Florence. I wandered about the town, and finally starving went in search of a restaurant. There was a monastery high upon the opposing hill from the city square and so I climbed the embankment hoping it was open. It wasn’t, but the view was breathtaking, better than any other I’d found from the small town. You could see all of Florence laid out as if at your feet, the dome of the Duomo sticking out, but not too much at this distance.

I knew immediately this was the place to let the rest of her go, and so I did. Pictures below.

Approach to the overlook

Hill

Here I let her go. The gentle wind took her into blossoming Iris plants and beautiful silver-leafed shrubbery I don’t know the name of, and trees which bear pine nuts, all overlooking the city of Florence, with a Queen’s eye view.