One of my classes while here in Italy is called Florence and the “Sense of Place.” The goal of this course is to understand the city of Florence from all perspectives and angles. The exploration is aimed to give us insight into the culture, identity, and history of this breath-taking place. During our first class meeting, the two professors generously took us to climb the Duomo, a monumental landmark of the city. After entering the cathedral and going through security, the hike up the stairs began. We maneuvered through tight corridors and spiral, steep staircases. The air was damp and chilly, however after a quarter of the 463 steps to the top you no longer noticed the cold. Standing on the 463rd step, my head poked out into the open air, finally reaching the dome’s platform. Less than a week of being in Florence and we were already viewing it from a completely different perspective than any of us had seen before. Observing the city from the top of the Duomo allowed us to see it in aerial view, and the strenuous climb to the top gave us the means to appreciate it.
Observing Florence from above through the eyes of a tourist was somewhat overwhelming. I had a limited sense of direction (not much different from life anywhere else, I suppose – I am notoriously known for getting lost) and a lack of knowledge on Florentine landmarks. Although the view was astonishing, a resident of Florence would have a completely different experience participating in this activity. For example, when I climb to the top of the state park tower in my hometown, I am able to orient myself amidst my surroundings. For better or worse, a foreigner’s perspective can often be naïve. Not only did I lack geographical knowledge, but I also had not yet made personal connections to what I was viewing. A huge part of what gives a city its character is the attitude and relationship the residents have with it. In our textbook, The People, Place, and Space Reader, Debord’s article quotes Chombart de Lauwe who states, “an urban neighborhood is determined not only by geographical and economic factors, but also by the image that its inhabitants and those of other neighborhoods have of it.” This is an important concept when determining a sense of place.
My personal map of Florence is much different from a Florentine’s. As I slowly make connections with restaurants, shops, and landmarks, my psychological map will grow to become a beautiful masterpiece. At the end of the semester, I want to climb to the top of the Duomo again to see how my perspective has changed. After four months of Florence being my home, I wonder what kind of intimate relationships I will make with the land and the establishments within the city walls. I am excited to see how the connections I make change not only my perspective on Florence, but also on other places I inhabit. I hope to learn to actively engage with and appreciate the qualities that make a city unique.
Here is a link to the Duomo website in case you want to check out the tours! https://www.ilgrandemuseodelduomo.it/
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Sense of Place 
Hi Hannah! I’m also working on building my psychological map of Florence, and find it helps to point out specific street signs, restaurants, or historic monuments in order to retrace my steps later on!
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Hi Hannah! I loved your post because I thought similar thoughts when we were at the top of the Duomo. It sounds bad but I definitely focused on taking photos of what I was seeing than actually critically thinking about the place I was surrounded by, and could not make out a lot of the important places like I would be able to in my hometown. Your idea of climbing the Duomo at the end of the semester and seeing how you change and how your sense of place is different is a really interesting idea and I would love to join you!! (Let’s hope I’m in better shape and don’t almost die like I did the first time)
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Hi Hannah! I am glad to see that you had the idea of climbing to the top of the Duomo at the end of the semester, as I had the same idea! I think it will be an entirely different experience and so satisfying to see how much better we know the city on a geographical and personal level. I look forward to hearing your reflections at the end semeter.
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Ciao Hannah! I too am notorious for getting lost…when I say turn right my friends pretty much know to turn left. I actually felt more oriented with Florence by viewing it from above! Embarrassingly enough, when we were up there, the first building that caught my eye was the Apple Store and from there I was able to pin point my apartment, favorite restaurant, and CET. I think your idea of visiting the Duomo again at the end of the semester is a great idea and might do it too!
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Hi Hannah! I really enjoyed reading your post as I also wrote about climbing the duomo and seeing the city from above! I really like the quote you included from Debord’s article and how you mentioned that you are still forming your relationship with Florence. I think it is a great idea to go back up to the Duomo at the end of the semester and see how your perspective has changed, I think I may do the same! One way that I have been beginning to orient myself here is going on runs or walking around a lot without my phone map. It helps me find new places, as well as form a mental map and recognize where places are (usually in relation to my apartment). Additionally, I feel as though the connections will begin to form as time goes on, especially as we get to know baristas and waiters at familiar cafes or restaurants.
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