This was a good day to walk along the Arno towards a fragment of the former defence wall, in the vicinity of the Chiesa San Frediano. The added bonus was the presence of a small market tucked against this ancient wall.
One of the stalls offered fresh flowers and potted plants for the garden. I’d never seen this variety of lemon before, it’s called “The Hand of Buddha.”
It looks quite finger like as the fruit ripens, and the segments separate.
The gate itself, Porta San Frediano, is immense. Those doors are not by any means frivolous.
At the end of the wall nearest to the river, there is a watch tower, and an old faded tabernacle set into the base of the tower.
On my way home, I noticed there was an Israelite cemetery in the vicinity. Sadly, the gates were locked, so that opportunity for another adventure was lost to me, at least for this day.
Hello World 
Yvonne, beautiful pictures! What a gorgeous sky… I am behind in your posts, but looking forward to catching up on your travels this weekend! Happy to see so many wonderful post.
take care, Bridget
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Thank you, Bridget. It seems strange not to be in Venice, but I’ll be there next month.
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That is a very weird lemon. Lovely photos.
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I’ll probably never see another of these in my life!
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Lemons are so cool.
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These ones were the head of the class cool, Minton!
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What extraordinary lemons! If they are also known as citron, I wonder if that’s what is used for the ‘cedro’ ice-cream flavour we see here occasionally and which I found translated as ‘citron’? I’ve never been quite sure what it was.
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Ah yes, should have checked first – it seems it’s a variety of cedro aka citron or citrus medica – http://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Citrus_medica_var._sarcodactylus. Must try the ice-cream the next time I see it, perhaps along with limone to taste the difference!
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Hey, good research, Caroline. I’ll keep my eyes open for cedro gelato, also, solely for the sake of science. We’re so self-sacrificing, aren’t we?
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Your photos are stunning!
The Buddha’s Hand is used when candied, and known as citron in Christmas fruit cakes. I’ve yet to candy one, mainly due to the prohibitive cost when found in my local market. It was a treat to see them here, and to learn that they unfold themselves into ‘fingers.’
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Thank you for your kind comment, and the interesting information about this weird and wonderful citrus fruit. Just out of interest, can you remember how much they cost?
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If memory serves me right, they were either, $5.99 or $6.99, a fruit.
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Phew! I think I’ll plant a few when I get back home.
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Wouldn’t that be fun? I’m always intrigued by food crops that are not native to the U.S.
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I love street markets and the plant called the hand of Buddha is a cool looking lemon plant.
What a wonderful adventure you had and Ty for sharing it through your photos.
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You are very welcome. It was a glorious day on Sunday.
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I love the markets of Europe. Wonderful arch photos and glorious sunshine!
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It was definitely the promise of spring just around the corner. (The next day was grey and cool, but never mind!)
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The lemon tree looks a bit sinister as if it could curl up into an animal or porcupine type fruit that could sting. The gates would be awsome on a MacMansion somewhere in Sydney’s outer suburbs,The envy of the neighborhood.
Yes, it is getting warmer where you are and here in Bowral it was 8c this morning.
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I’d never seen any fruit like that, even in Queensland where we do have some strange things. I see it’s still warm up in the tropics, you, H and M should come and housesit for me when I’m not there. 🙂
I can just imagine someone in Sydney transporting those gates for their mansion!
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Great images and a lemon such I have neither seen nor imagined before.
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They’re really something, aren’t they, Hilary?
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Those lemons are so unusual and the huge doors always amaze me. But the, what they crafted and built without modern technology is always amazing.
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That was around the 1300’s I think. I must go back and look at the hinges, they must be massive
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Yikes, strange fruit! Mostly ornamental?
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The lady selling them said they could be used to make marmalade. They stopped me in my tracks, that’s for sure.
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I have heard of them being used in cooking. Still trying to figure out how you peel it. Sort of like trying to peel ginger root, that’s why I buy mine powdered in a jar.:-)
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I have seen the “Hand of Buddha” in pictures but never in person. I would think that would be hard to peel.
Lovely day and lovely pics as usual.
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It was a ripper day. Today, it was back to grey skies, but not cold.
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Um….did you catch close ups of those crests on the tabernacle! I know….. pushy, pushy.
I have never made it over to those gates….they are wonderful! Thanks again for sharing it almost makes up for the sadness of not getting there this summer!
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Just a minute while I refresh my memory on how to attach photos in the comments!
And then, there’s this one:
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Howzat, Jane!
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Oh you are good….definitely some new things to work on. The first probably Commune of Florence. The next a real curiosity….the door there, the gate maybe(?), the Medici on the right….the left 3 things I can’t work out what do you think they are? The third…the all seeing eye, eye of providence….sometime symbol of “Illuminati”. I’m learning I have to up my knowledge of cross as symbol of a specific group of Christians. Thanks for the treat!!!
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That is a gate and a half. I might order one for the new house.
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Oh, boy, now I really need to see your house, Andrew.
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