Philly Old City, Center City, Society Hill and Penn's Landing

So here we are in Philly, I have to say that I have been reading all sorts of bad things about this city, I was that scared that yesterday afternoon I felt kind of paralyzed, unbelievable...

I understand now that it is all prejudices and preconceptions, exactly like it is for where I come from, everybody is talking bad about Naples, but at the end of the day, it is not that different from Milan or another big city, on the contrary both Philadelphia and Naples are amazingly lively, colorful and energetic!!! I really loved it!

First stop of the day JFK plaza, where the famous LOVE statue stands

From there we are walking towards the Old City, passing by Chinatown, St. George's United Methodist Church (USA oldest Methodist church), Fireman's Hall Museum and Christ Church (The Nation's Church) where revolutionary like Benjamin Franklin and George Washington used to go

Here below is a picture in front of Betsy Ross House, who is said to have sewn the very first American flag!

While in this picture below you can see Benjamin Franklin final resting place, it is the Headstone below in the Christ Church burial ground

After that we have passed by the US Mint, (the oldest in USA, where most of the coins, used by Americans, are made), the National Constitution Center (it explains the American constitution in an interactive way), the Free Quaker Meeting House (where the expelled members from the main Quaker community would meet in order to discuss an armed American revolution)

Benjamin Franklin House, the National Museum of American Jewish History and the Independence Visitor Center

And here we are at the Liberty Bell and the Independence Hall (which you can visit for free, it only takes 30 mins)

After that we have seen the Declaration House (where Thomas Jefferson drafted the declaration of Independence) and the First Bank of the United States

Time for lunch at the City Tavern, which Washington used as his headquarters (the actual one has been completely reconstructed in 1975)

 After lunch we are going to walk around Penn's Landing and Society Hill. From Welcome Square, dedicated to the city's founder, William Penn, we can move towards the Penn's Landing and the Irish Memorial, the Philadelphia Vietnam Veterans Memorial and New Market and Head House Square

 South Society Hill there is South Street, very colorful and lively

To go back to the hotel we crossed Washington Square and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, but first we have walked in Mother Bethel Church, which stands on the oldest land continuously owneby African Americans

 Finally we are in Rittenhouse square, from which we have tried to photograph the Liberty Place

Wow as first day in Philly, we have seen a lot! Tomorrow will be Museum District!!!