A Geographical Description of All the Countries in the Known World, Part 1 · Subpart 166
The City of Florence described.
Florence is the Capitol City of Tuscany, situated at the bottom of very high hills, and environed on all sides with the same, except on the West side, before which lies a plain Country. This City is divided into two by the River Arno, over which are built four Bridges of stone; upon one of the two chief is the Goldsmiths street: upon the other, which is a very stately structure, stand the four quarters of the year in Marble: Opposite unto which, stands a vast Columne with a Statue of Justice in Porphyrie at the top: Hard by is the Palace of Strossie, admirable for the immensity of its Fabrick; on the left hand whereof is the Merchants Vault supported with many fair Pillars, and before it a brazen Boar jetting forth water: Before that is the great place, in the middest whereof is the great Duke Cosmus on horseback in brass, near unto which is a Fountain, the like to which Italy affords not. Round about the Laver is the Family of Neptune in brasse, with his Colosse of Marble in the middest, born up by four horses. In this same Piazza is a Porch arched and adorned with some Statues, amongst which that of Judith in brass, with the rape of the Sabines, three persons in several postures cut all out of one stone. Just against it is the Palazzo Vechio, at the entrance whereof stand two Colossi, the one of David, the other of Hercules trampling on Caous, excellent pieces. Within is a Court set about with pillars of Corinthian work. Above is a very spacious Hall with divers Statues. Near to it is the richest of Treasures, the great Dukes Gallery, in the uppermost part whereof are contained as many wonders as things: some to bee admired for the preciousness, and Art; others for their rarity, and antiquity: On each side of the Gallery stand above fourescore Statues: One, an Idoll brought from the Temple of Apollo in Delphos: Another of Scipio Africanus holding up his gown under his Arm: Then two curious triumphant Pillars: Over the Statues hang rare pictures, the most famous Scholars on the one side, and Souldiers on the other.
At the right hand of this Gallery are several Stanza's full of curiosities, wherewith the spectators are astonished, both in regard of the richnesse, and rarity thereof. In the first Room is an Altar totally compacted of Jewels, and precious stones: The value inestimable. In the next is a Table with Flowers, and Birds in their natural colours of precious stones, with a Cabinet worth two hundred thousand Crowns, covered with Agates, Emerauds, Amethists, &c. Within it is the History of Christs Passion, with the twelve Apostles all in Amber. In the third is a Cabinet with Calcedonie Pillars, filled with ancient Medals of gold. Round about this Room are an infinite number of Natural, and Artificial curiosities: As the Emperours head cut on a Turquoise bigger than a Walnut, with thousands more. Next is the Armory; wherein are the habits, and diverse sorts of Arms of several ages, and people. There is likewise a Loadstone that bears up fourscore pounds weight of Iron. In the last Cabinet are curious turned works of Ivory, A Pillar of Oriental Alabaster, &c. In another Room are twelve great Cupboards of silver Plate of all sorts, and another of all pure massie gold: A Saddle all embroydered with Pearls, and Diamonds; besides many other things of great worth.
From hence is a private passage to the Dukes Court on the other side of the River: The front of which edifice is very Majestick, towards the Basis of Dorick work, in the middest of Ionick, and the uppermost story of Corinthian. In the Court is a Grotto with Statues, and a Fountain over it; and a Loadstone of a most prodigious greatnesse.
The Gardens belonging to it, for their largenesse have the face of a Forrest, for their variety, of a Paradise. Here are Cypresse Groves, their Walks with Statues: Here a Sea of Fountains; these Swans, Ostriches, and other delighting Creatures.
The Cathedral Church is of a vast bulk, and exquisite workmanship, made of Red, White, and black Marble. The Cupola is so high, that the brass Globe at the top will hold sixteen persons: No lesse excellent is the Steeple, composed of the same stone and materials with the Church, but with more Art, and Ornaments.
The Chappel of St. Laurence seems more than terrestrial: Its wholly overlaid with fine polished stones, neither is there any colour upon Earth, but it's there in stones naturally. Near to this is a famous Library, filled with great variety of Manuscripts. In brief, the houses of Florence are generally built high, the streets are paved with great stones, even and large, and adorned with many excellent Fountains, and other publick Ornaments.
The chiefest Cities of Italy are thus usually distinguished: Rome the Un-holy; Venice the Rich; Naples the Gentle; Florence the Fair; Genoa the Proud; Millan the Great; Bolonia the Fat; Padua the Learned; and Verona the Ancient. Idem.