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Florence’s newest attraction for lovers of stairclimbing and heights. The San Niccolò tower has recently been renovated and is now open for visits.
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Inside the gate there is a fresco with the virgin Mary, St John the baptist and St Nicholas, the patrons saints of the city.
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When I visited there was a big peace demonstration. Pace flags all around the old fortification tower. I like.
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San Niccolò has a buddy on the other side of the Arno, Torre della Zecca. Cool looking type.
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Porta San Niccolò is one of the latest of the city gates of Florence, built in 1324, but the only one that still has its original height. All the others were lowered, beheaded, in the 16th century.
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I am sure the view from the tower is great. Overlooking the Arno, Santa Croce, the pink synagogue, and Fiesole up in the hills.
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But since it looks really really high to me, I prefer to climb the hill just behind it instead, up to Piazzale Michelangelo and further up to San Miniato al Monte.
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From up there you have a nice view over what is left of the old city wall, of which Porta San Niccolò once was a part.
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FLORENSICS 