Amy is hosting our Lens-Artists Photo Challenge this week and she has chosen a marvelous theme –“Under the Sun,” inspired by the book Under the Tuscan Sun by Frances Mayes. As many of you know, Tuscany is one of my favorite places, so this week, I’ll feature 4 beautiful cities in province of Tuscany–Florence, Arezzo, Lucca, and Siena–at different times of the day.
The day of the sun is like the day of a king. It is a promenade in the morning, a sitting on the throne at noon, a pageant in the evening.~Wallace Stevens
Morning in Florence
The sun in Florence casts a golden glow on the city, warming the bricks, wood, and stones. Here you can see a shuttered window in the neighborhood of Santa Croce, outside the historic center.
Siena at Noon
Siena’s Piazza del Campo is a magnificent bowl-shaped meeting place in the center of the city. Here, visitors and students chat with friends, eat at the cafes and visit the famous medieval landmarks Torre del Mangia and the Duomo. The red brick paving is set in radiating lines, fanning out from the Palazzo Publico like spokes in a wheel.
Florence in the Afternoon
In the afternoon, the Giardino delle Rose in Florence is filled with locals, students, and some tourists who relax on the grass and admire the flowers. As you can see, the sunlight slanting down from the west, casts deep shadows.
Florence in the Late Afternoon
The shadows lengthen throughout the afternoon and into the early evening. This park borders the Arno River which splits the city into two sections. When I took this shot, we were walking on the Oltrano (the other side of the Arno), opposite the historic center. This was one of my favorite walks. The light in the morning and evening was wonderful.
Sunset Conversation. Florence, Italy
Here’s another example of the golden light–striking a mail slot in a building in Florence’s historic center.
Arezzo in the Late Afternoon
Arezzo is often overlooked by tourists, but as you can see, it has many fine example of traditional Tuscan architecture. This doorway, framed with potted plants, is especially beautiful.
Lucca in the Late Afternoon
I’ll end my post with this shot of Lucca, a wealthy and historic city also in Tuscany. The ancient fortified walls are still standing. Visitors can climb the stairs to the top of the walls and walk along a pedestrian path around the city. At one point we spotted a mansion that was so beautiful we had to climb down and take a closer look. The Palazzo Pfanner has been converted into a museum with a public garden and even a small hotel.
I hope you enjoyed this visit to Tuscany with its outstanding natural beauty and beautiful golden light. No wonder why so many creative artists have found inspiration there. It is one of those magical places where nature, architecture and people create a harmonious whole.
As I end this post, I’ll leave you with Frances Mayes description of dawn in her book Bella Tuscany:
Dawn is the sweetest time on earth. In the last moments of dark, the bird chorale begins. One of us wakes the other. Listen, they’re starting to sing now. So many, a rising cloud of birdsong, a lift, an ushering-in. Then the sky—no rosy finger of dawn but a suffusion of rose out of indigo, the quietest light on the hills and the rushing songs of the birds still rising over the absolute world unto itself. ~Frances Mayes
A special thanks again to Xenia for hosting last week’s “Sanctuary” theme, which inspired marvelous posts. They gave us a wonderful breath of serenity and joy. Our sincere thanks to all of you who participated in the challenge.
Please join us this week for Amy’s LAPC #109–Under the Sun. Remember to link to Amy’s post here, and use the Lens-Artists tag so we can find your post easily. Next week, it’s Tina’s turn to host challenge #110, so be sure to visit her site, Travels and Trifles.
I’ll end my post with the hope that you all stay well, stay safe and keep creating!
Categories: Lens-Artists Photo Challenge, Photography
Wonderful post Patti – how great that you were able to showcase some wonderful Tuscan sun during a week when the challenge was modeled on it! One can imagine being there from perusing your images. I especially loved your closing image and have a hard time imagining the wealth of the original owner to have had such a glorious spot!
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Thank you, Tina. I dug through my archives for this one! Palazzo Pfanner is gorgeous. I’d love to spend a few days there at the hotel. Couples were reading on the lawn and they looked so content! It’s a beautiful spot. A bit of paradise!
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Ah, lovely! And I recall trying to find atheism Palazzo Pfanner with no success…..
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It’s a gorgeous palazzo, Sue. I hope you get to see it. It’s lovely.
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😊
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I absolutely adored your post Patti but then no one can capture the different shades of Tuscany like you do . Reminded me of all things I loved out there. My only regret , I don’t remember seeing that Posta in Florence. Sigh!
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Hi, Sheetal. I was thinking of you as I worked on this post!! I’m delighted you enjoyed it. There are always more things to discover in Florence, aren’t there? While we were there, I read that there used to be little windows where people could buy a glass of wine. I wasn’t successful finding any of them, but I’ll look again!
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Ok ! This has to be telepathy because I was just reading about these medieval plague era ‘wine windows’ revived in Florence. A bar ‘Osteria della Brache’ put it up on its Instagram page. I am so excited about your trip and can’t wait to read of your adventures in Florence . Maybe the Florentine Boar magic will work for me.
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Wow! We are thinking along the same lines! I hope you can go back, too. …But tell me what the Florentine boar magic is! I haven’t heard of that.
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I am sure you’ve seen it but probably didn’t pay attention. It’s a small bronze fountain of a boar at the market place selling bags etc . You put a coin in its snout and let it fall in the grate below. Also rub its snout making a wish to come back. Needless to say, it is popular and a whole lot of fun too.
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Hi, Sheetal. Funny. I have no memory of it, but now that I know about it, I will definitely look for it! Thanks for the idea.
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Door and mail slot are classic
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Thank you, Paulie! You made me smile! I always appreciate that. I hope you’re well, too.
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It’s great to have breakfast in Tuscany, even only via my computer! Thanks for showing us your beautiful images Patti. I loved the mail slot!
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Thank you so much, Anne. The light there is truly magical. I’m delighted you enjoyed it.
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Wonderful collection of Tuscany under the sun, Patti. beautiful images! You have brought back many happy memories. Thank you for sharing.
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Hi, Dina. It’s wonderful to hear from you! I’m delighted you enjoyed them and I hope you get the chance to go back there, too!
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Oh, how this makes me want to go to Italy. Thank you for the lovely gallery.
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So, I make a good salesperson for Italy?😀. Thanks so much, Anba.
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Haha. Yes, you do. 🙂
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You captured natural beauty and beautiful golden light of Tuscan. I’m delight to take this special tour with you, Patti. I love Siena at Noon and Florence Arno walk especially. Ah… Lucca. 🙂
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Hi, Amy. Yes, you’re right. Ah…Lucca. Ah…Toscana. It’s so beautiful there. I’m delighted you enjoyed this one. Many thanks for your kind words.
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I liked your photo of the sunset conversation. It looks like it could go on a greeting card.
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I like that idea, Siobhan! Many thanks. It was one of those golden sunsets. I appreciate your thoughts, too. I hope all’s well.
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A wonderful selection of images ‘Under the Tuscan Sun’ I had that book once upon a time, but I gave a lot away to Oxfam when we last moved. I especially love the Arezzo photo. Tuscany is one area of Italy I would love to visit, preferably in a quiet time and Lucca could be a good place to stay.
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Hi, Jude. Thank you! It’s hard to hold onto a lot of books. I’ve given away quite a few and tried to keep just the ones I absolute need. I’m down to 1 bookcase, which is pretty good for me! I hope you do get to Tuscany. It’s well worth a visit. The small towns are wonderful, which their own personalities.
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Wonderful Patti, stay safe and well!!!
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Hi, Paulo. You, too. Many thanks for stopping by!
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Ah what a delightful theme! Lovely pics you have here 💕
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Hi, Snow. Why, thank you so much! I’m delighted you like them.😀
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Absolutely beautiful Tuscan captures and so fitting for the theme. Thanks for introducing me to Arezzo. You can tell I haven’t traveled this region at all, but now I want to go and see this pretty town.
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Hi, Rusha. Wonderful! There are dozens of small towns. You’ll have fun exploring them. I hope you can go soon! Thanks so much too for your kind words. (Big smile.😀)
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We did get to visit the Lake Como area — absolutely gorgeous. Would love to have lots of time in Italy!
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What a terrible post Patti. So many photos that show life in a place I love and miss so much. I wonder if I shall ever be able to return. One day perhaps we could have aperitivo in a plaza. So love this post 😀😀
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Hi, Brian. I know… it was sweet torture to look through my archives.😢. Hoping we can both go back and have an apertivo in a caffe in Firenze. I have one in mind already!
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I have resisted looking through my overseas photos. I am glad you have a favourite caffe in mind 😀👍
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Tuscany! Florence! Many happy memories of visits there when our children were children. The Tuscan sun. Thanks Patti!
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Hi, Anne. I’m so glad it brought back happy memories. I did for me, too. It’s a special place. I love the light, people, and way of life there.
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Love your images of this area!
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Hi, Nora. Many thanks😀. I’m delighted you like them!
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Wonderful shots of Tuscany! Thanks for sharing, Patti 🙂
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Thank you so much, Len. I’m delighted you enjoyed them.😀
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Beautiful, beautiful photos and words. I like the Abrezzo afternoon. That brickwork is not an artifice, I suspect. It earned that look!
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Arezzo.
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Absolutely, John. Those weathered stones have stood the test of time and highlight its passage through the ages. I love the layers of history there, the mingling of the past and the present. I’m delighted you like the images too. As you can see, I’m inspired by Tuscany!! I’m sure, being a lover of history, you are, too.
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Beautiful images Patti with the warm Tuscan sunlight behind you! I especially love the Giardino delle Rose and the view beyond. Hope you are keeping safe and well too 💖
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Hi, Xenia. It’s a magical garden, not visited by many tourists. (Shh…shh… Don’t tell them!). We enjoyed your theme last week. Great responses.
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Thank you kindly dear Patti, there were so many lovely responses and Abrie’s video/film premiere was priceless! 😀 Lovely to hear the garden is mainly for local people to enjoy and here’s hoping it will stay that way. Wishing you a happy week ahead and thank you again for inviting me to guest-host last week, it was a lovely experience 💖 xxx
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You’re very welcome, Xenia. It was great that you could take part and share the experience with us.
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I love Tuscany too, though I’ve not been there for too long. The flowers in half pots against the gorgeous stone and brick wall charmed and fascinated me. You see the passing of time as you look around the frame.
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I love that observation, Sue. The passage of time. It’s true! That’s one of the things I love about Tuscany…the mingling of the past and present. Thanks so much for your thoughts!
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Beautiful images, Patti, especially that doorway. My wife and I planned our first trip to Italy that was to happen in April. Of course, that never happened. I’ll have to be happy with images on the Internet. We are going to try again in 2021, but we’ll see whether or not that happens.
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Oh, I’m so sorry, John, that the virus interrupted your plans. But your trip will happen, I’m sure of it. Not as soon as you’d like, but it will happen. We’re in the same boat in terms of canceling trips. We’re hoping to “re-do” 2020 as soon as it’s safe. It’s still unclear when that will be🤔
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Indeed. We have a couple of cruises planned in 2021, hope they can happen. Thanks.
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Just wonderful, Patti! And perfectly modelled for the challenge. Tuscany is the loveliest of lovely. Colours, doors and windows – ah, such beauty and perfection.
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I like that A-C…”the loveliest of lovely!” It is almost perfect. A visual paradise! I’m hoping you’re enjoying your corner of the world. I know you’re outside enjoying the beauty of the season.
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Yes, I’m outside, Patti – usually. I don’t know about you, but we have had a tremendous heat wave, so the last week now has been an indoors week. Hope it is better where you are!
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It has been hot, but I don’t mind. The winters here are long and cold.😊
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😀
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Wonderful photos. Glad you worked in both Lucca and Arezzo. They are not big and great, but they are nice and charming. That wonderful door from Arezzo was exactly the kind of thing you remember these places by.
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Hi, IJ. Thank you! I wanted to include some of the less traveled places. As you say, they have their charm, too! Florence is getting so overcrowded, the locals are complaining. It’s such a mixed blessing–tourist dollars are needed but their way of life is disappearing. Thanks as always for your thoughtful comments.
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Fantastic images of sun drenched Tuscany; definately on my list of places to visit 😃
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Hi, Jez. I hope you get the chance to visit it. It’s so beautiful you think you’re dreaming it all!
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Thank you for taking me on this visit to Tuscany! Beautiful images!
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Hi, Beth. I’m delighted you came along with me!
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A beautiful selection of images for the challenge, Patti. And i like the way you’ve shown different times of the day. Nice work!
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Thank you so much, Sue! I’m delighted you like them. I’ll check your site next. I hope you’re able to join us!
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Hey, Florence looks okay under the sun! Yeah, I know I’m underselling that by a fair mile. And that only reminds me there are many parts of Italy I’ve not yet been.
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Patti, I really enjoyed your tour of Tuscan. Sadly we only spent a day there, mostly at a vineyard, and that was certainly not enough time. Arezzo in the Late Afternoon is so lovely, the colors, architecture, nature and age, all blend together so beautifully. It’s a hard picture to forget, my favorite!
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Oh, too bad, Sylvia. I hope you can spend more time there on another trip. Thanks so much too for your kind words about the images. I am really inspired by the beauty there!
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Great work .
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