Florence is viewed by many as one of the cultural and art centers of the globe. Once you set foot in the city, you will be taken down memory lane. Indulge yourself in the Renaissance as you stand between beautifully preserved, architecturally breathtaking, historical buildings as well as perfect art with every turn you make.
What You Should Do in Florence
The Duomo
Cattedrale de Santa Maria del Fiore popularly referred to as, “The Duomo,” is a place you should not miss. It’s the skyline of the city. The building started as a Gothic Duomo in 1296 and was consecrated in the year 1436. Inside the Brunelleschi’s Dome, you will come across some of the most attractive pieces of art you could ever think of. It’s well worth the stairs you’re going to climb to stroll around the dome’s inner walls to view the paintings up close and to have a fantastic view of the city on the outside. If you are doing a walking tour of Florence, this is a must.
Places to Visit in Florence, Italy Photo Gallery
Uffizi Gallery
Galleria degli Uffizi is home to some of the world’s most preserved Renaissance art collections. It is advisable that you purchase reservation tickets before visiting the place to avoid the long queue. In this museum, you will come across pieces of art from Giotto, Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael, and Botticelli.
Accademia Gallery
The Accademia Gallery is home to Michelangelo’s David, which is arguably one of the most popular sculptures in the world. One of the exhibits you will never tire to see is the museum’s collection of musical instruments. It would be a good idea if you obtained a reservation for the museum.
Boboli Garden
Just across the Arno River, you will come across the Giardino di Boboli, an attractive and sprawling English-style garden that is just located on a hillside behind Pitt Palace. This is a perfect place to stop over and enjoy Florence’s greener side.
Palazzo Pitti
Pitti Palace, also known as Palazzo Pitti is the most massive palazzo in Florence and was once a property of the Medici family. The palace has eight different galleries which you can visit. The castle is enormous, and you could wear out quickly so be prepared.
Piazza Della Signoria
Popularly known as the political and historical center of Florence, Piazza Della Signoria is just a few minutes from River Arno and right next to Uffizi Gallery. Here, you will come across statues including a replica of the famous Statue of David and the Fountain of Neptune.
Santa Croce Basilica
Protected by the massive statue of the famous Dante, this extraordinary sight sits with its perfect facade right in the front of a vintage piazza. This Basilica was initially constructed with the ordinary citizens in mind since it is only a short distance from the grand Duomo.
The Basilica houses tombs of famous people like Gentile, Machiavelli, Galileo, Rossini, Michelangelo, and Dante’s empty tomb. It is for the many graves that Santa Croce is also known by the locals as the Temple of Italian Glories.
The city keeps Dante’s tomb empty with the hopes that one day it will be filled with his decomposed remains since they are currently preserved in the town of Ravenna, where he died after being exiled from the city of Florence.
Piazzale Michelangelo
If you’re in Florence, you must have a view of the sun setting over the city from the Piazzale Michelangelo. This is arguably the most admired view overlooking the city of Florence, and it has been reproduced on numerous photographs and postcards. You’ll also come across a bronze replica of David which is thought to be protecting the city.
The Ponte Vecchio
Ponte Vecchio was the first bridge built across Arno River, and it is the only bridge left from the city’s medieval days. Packed with shops selling silver and gold jewelry, you will have a perfect view of the city along Arno River.
The bridge is a true landmark of this city. During the night, it could be romantic to play the role of a local musician singing at the center of Ponte Vecchio as you stare at the city lighting up the river.
The Bargello
Located in the city of Florence, this is the national sculpture museum. This castle-like building came into existence between 1255 – 1350 as the original house of government. The Bargello has some of the best collection of Renaissance sculpture in Florence and has some of the best collections in Italy. What you should not miss here is a massive room with Donatello’s masterpieces.
