Piazza della Signoria, an Open-air Art Gallery in Florence

This square, in front of Palazzo Vecchio, for centuries the heart of Florentine political and social life, contains real masterpieces like the stupendous fountain of Neptune by Ammannati, with the God of the Sea surrounded by nymphs,  in honour of  Tuscan naval victories. Not to be missed the reproduction of  Michelangelo's David which situated in front of  Palazzo Vecchio, symbolises  victory over tyranny. The original was in the square until 1873 and is now kept in the Accademia di Belle Arti (Via Ricasoli 66).

The skyline of Florence, the 94 metres tower of the Palazzo Vecchio

The Palazzo Vecchio or Palazzo della Signoria, austere and elegant, was commissioned as the headquarters for the Priory of the Arts. The earliest part dates back to 1299 and includes an old tower known as "Torre della Vacca"  which, according to Vasari, was the work of  Arnolfo di Cambio. It was enlarged many times over the years.

The Uffizi Gallery: more than 2000 masterpieces at the imposing Palazzo degli Uffizi in Florence, one of the most important Art Museum in the world

The building which hosts the Uffizi Gallery is one of the master pieces of XVI century architecture. Projected in 1560 by Giorgio Vasari, court architect and painter, by request of the Duce Cosimo I de Medici, this vast and scenographic building, created in only five years, is connected to Palazzo Vecchio via the famous Vasariano corridor, and with Palazzo Pitti, home of the Royal Palace.

Ponte Vecchio, the oldest and most famous bridge in Florence

It was built in 1345 and rests on two robust pillars with prow-shaped buttresses. It was designed by Taddeo Gaddi, Giotto’s pupil. Its shops, which extend at the back to overhang the river, supported by brackets known as “sporti”, were once occupied by blacksmiths, butchers and tanners (who used the Arno river for their waste!!!). In 1593 they were sent away by the Duke Ferdinand I because of the noise and the stench and their place was taken by jewellers and goldsmiths who paid much higher rents.

The Baptistery of St. John in Florence, the octagonal building where Dante Alighieri was christened

The Baptistery, with its famous bronze doors probably dates back to the  IV century, it’s one of the oldest buildings in Florence. Mosaics from the XIII century depicting the Last Judgement decorate the ceiling of this octagonal building, where illustrious florentines like Dante Alighieri were christened. The doors are made by Andrea Pisano and Lorenzo Ghiberti.

The Duomo, Santa Maria in Fiore, the cupola most famous of Florence

Standing in the heart of the city, in all the splendour of their adornment the Duomo, that is Santa Maria in Fiore, which with its cupola of red flat tiles, has become the most famous  symbol of Florence.
It's the fourth biggest cathedral in Europe (after St. Peter’s in Rome, St. Paul’s in London and the Duomo in Milan) and it's still today the tallest building in the city.

What to see in Florence

Santa Maria Novella

The Dominican church stands on the site of a 10th century oratory.
The existing building was begun in 1246 by the Dominican friars Sisto and Ristoro, but it was only in 1360 when the work of  friar Jacopo Talenti of Nipozzano, were completed.

The famous facade begun in 1300, was resumed in 1456-70 by Leon Battista Alberti on commission of the merchant and banker Giovanni Rucellai.

For this Renaissance masterpiece, Alberti drew on the elements present in the ancient Romanesque Florentine churches, like the two- coloured marble covering and the arcaded recesses. A genial innovation was the two lateral connections which enclose large inlaid discs.

Santa Maria Novella hosts numerous architectural styles in perfect harmony.


Santa Croce

The Franciscan basilica of Santa Croce, traditionally attributed to Arnolfo di Cambio, was begun towards the end of the XIII century, but only consecrated in 1443. It is one of the most beautiful Gothic churches in Italy, even though the facade, in Carrara marble with squares of green marble, was only covered in 1863 presumably to a design by Simone del Pollaiolo known as  “il Cronaca”(1457-1508).

The Gothic interior is in the shape of an Egyptian cross divided into three aisles by octagonal pillars sustaining grandiose pointed arches.

Don’t miss The Cappella de’ Pazzi, designed by Brunelleschi, where there are the Luca della Robbia’s Apostles medallions in terracotta  inserted in the white plasterwork  and  the  frescoes by Giotto showing the life of St. Francis in the Cappella Bardi.


San Miniato Al Monte

Above piazzale Michelangelo, slightly removed from the city centre, is the cathedral of San Miniato al Monte which with its monumental cemetery (where the tombs of  Senator Spadolini and most of Florence’s illustrious citizens can be found) looks out over the whole of Florence.

After the baptistery, it is one of the greatest testimonies of Florentine Romanesque architecture.

Already in existence at the time of Charlemagne, it was rebuilt by the bishop Hildebrand after 1018 and completed in the ornamental parts only at the beginning of the XIII century.

The facade, begun in the XII century and completed at the beginning of the XIII , has the typical Florentine decoration in green and white marble from Prato in geometric divisions.

In 1594 the convent of San Miniato was incorporated.

Beyond the building is the Fortezza, built in a few months under the guidance of  Michelangelo and permanently constructed in 1553 by Francesco da Sangallo.

Florence, the symbol of the Renaissance and the Medici's city

Dante, Petrarch and Macchiavelli contributed abundantly to Florence’s literary heritage, while artists like Botticelli, Michelangelo and Donatello made Florence one of the world’s most famous art city. The XV century characterised Italy, the period when art and culture flourished. Florence was founded in 59 B. C. by the Romans. In the VI century it was conquered by the Lombards.