The occasional glimpses of cloisters and verdure among the red are very pleasant.

One of the objects cut off by the cathedral dome is the English cemetery, but the modern Jewish temple stands out as noticeably almost as any of the ancient buildings.

The Pitti looks like nothing but a barracks and the Porta Ferdinando has prominence which it gets from no other point.

The roof of the Mercato Centrale is the ugliest thing in the view.

While I was there the midday gun from the Boboli fortress was fired, instantly having its punctual double effect of sending all the pigeons up in a grey cloud of simulated alarm and starting every bell in the city.
Those wishing to make either the campanile or Duomo ascents must remember to do it early.