About Florence
To the north of central Italy is the city of Florence (Firenze in Italian). It is the capital of the “Città Metropolitana di Firenze,” meaning the "Metropolitan City of Florence." If you're planning to travel to Florence and enjoy this beautiful city in the Tuscany region, you've come to the right place. Florence, the capital of the Tuscany region, is an ideal destination for tourism. If you're planning to visit this city, we invite you to familiarize yourself with this complete guide to Tourism in Florence.
Piazza del Duomo
La Piazza del Duomo is the most well-known and famous tourist spot in Florence. It is considered the historical and religious center of the city. While there, you will come across other key tourist sites, which are:
Museo dell'Opera del Duomo
In the Piazza del Duomo, you will find the Museo dell'Opera del Duomo. Here, you can see pieces and sculptures that once adorned the surrounding buildings.
To protect these works of art from the damage caused by being left outdoors, copies were made to replace them, and the originals are kept and displayed in this museum.
You will also see tools that were used in the creation of the various structures of the square, as well as scale models of the Florence Cathedral.
The building that houses the Museo dell'Opera del Duomo is a palace in Florence that, in its time, served as a workshop for great artists. Some of the prominent names include Donatello, Brunelleschi, and Michelangelo. The latter created the famous sculpture of David there.
Catedral de Santa María del Fiore
The Florence Cathedral, Santa Maria del Fiore, is one of the largest and most beautiful Catholic churches. Its facade, made of white and green marble, along with the 45-meter diameter dome, gives the structure an imposing presence. This cathedral, in a way, shapes the skyline of Florence.
The construction of this cathedral, designed by Arnolfo di Cambio, spanned from 1296 to 1368. Its dimensions are 160 meters in length, 43 meters in width, and the dome reaches about 100 meters in height.
These dimensions make it one of the largest Catholic structures and buildings. An interesting detail about this cathedral is that in the 20th century, it was discovered that near its entrance, there is a descent to a crypt that houses the tomb of Brunelleschi.
Giotto's Campanile
The Giotto's Campanile is an unmatched bell tower located at the aforementioned cathedral. It was created by Giotto and Pisano in the 14th century. The proportions, design, and colors of this bell tower make it one of the best and most beautiful, not only in Florence but throughout Italy.
The tower is decorated in the colors of the cathedral, creating an excellent combination. Upon entering the tower, you will see the decoration of over fifty bas-reliefs, and at the top, you will find images of saints. By climbing the 414 steps of the tower, which reach about 84 meters in height, you will enjoy a breathtaking view of the city of Florence without a particularly difficult climb.
Construction began in 1334 with the plans of Giotto, who gave the tower its name. However, his death prevented him from completing the work. Due to this unfortunate event, A. Pisano finished the creation of this magnificent bell tower in 1359. For more information on visiting the Giotto's Campanile.
Battistero di San Giovanni
The Baptistery of San Giovanni, being the oldest building in Florence, is a key tourist attraction. It is located right in front of the Florence Cathedral, and its marble cladding in white and green tones matches the other buildings of the Piazza del Duomo.
Upon entering the Baptistery of San Giovanni, you will be amazed by the Byzantine mosaic on the ceiling, as well as the tomb of John XXIII. Additionally, the entrance portal known as the "Gates of Paradise" is the most significant. This was crafted by Lorenzo Ghiberti between 1426 and 1452. It features ten bronze panels with reliefs depicting stories from the Old Testament. These panels are replicas of the ones Ghiberti created, as the originals are kept in the Cathedral Museum.
Despite being a tourist attraction, entry to the Baptistery of San Giovanni depends on the level of interest of the visitor, as it can also be admired from the outside.
Museo dell'Opera del Duomo
In the Piazza del Duomo, you will find the Museo dell’Opera del Duomo. Here, you will see pieces and sculptures that once adorned the adjacent buildings.
To protect these works of art from the deterioration caused by being left outdoors, copies were made to replace them, and the originals are kept and displayed in this museum.
You will also see tools that were used in the creation of the various structures in the square, as well as scale models of the Florence Cathedral.
The building housing the Museo dell’Opera del Duomo is a Florentine palace that once served as a workshop for great artists. Some of the notable names associated with it include Donatello, Brunelleschi, and Michelangelo. The latter created the famous sculpture of David there.
Piazza della Signoria
Piazza della Signoria is a must-visit in Florence, as it is the most visited area in the city. It houses the civil power of the Florentine population and is located close to the Arno River and the Piazza del Duomo.
For tourists, this square is a place to find entertainment, enjoy the beautiful view, and mingle with the locals.
The vibrant life of this square, especially on summer nights, will captivate you. Here, you will enjoy works such as the Loggia dei Lanzi, the Fountain of Neptune, the equestrian statue of Cosimo I, the Uguccioni Palace, the Tribunal of Merchandise, the statue of Perseus with Medusa's head, and local artists who turn this square into their stage and put on a great show.
Palazzo Vecchio
The Palazzo Vecchio is considered the defining structure of this square. At the entrance, there are impressive sculptures, including one of the first human couple, Adam and Eve, a copy of Michelangelo's David, and another of Hercules and Cacus by Bandinelli.
Originally called Palazzo dei Priori, it became the Palazzo della Signoria in the 15th century, named after the main body of the Republic of Florence. Then, in 1540, it became the Ducal Palace when Duke Cosimo I de' Medici made it his residence.
Finally, it took the name "Vecchio" after 1565 when Duke Cosimo's court moved to the new Palazzo Pitti. From 1865 to 1871, it was the seat of the Parliament of the Kingdom of Italy, and today it houses the mayor of Florence and several municipal offices.
Loggia della Signoria (Museo)
If you're looking for a place to take a break, sit in the open-air museum called the Loggia dei Lanzi. It’s small but very pleasant, and here you will find sculptures such as Perseus with the head of Medusa.
The Loggia dei Lanzi is important for its architecture, but above all because it houses very beautiful Renaissance works of art, inspired by the classical world and having brought to life a renewed sculptural style thanks to their technique. Today, the Loggia dei Lanzi holds very important works that tourists can admire freely and for free, both day and night. The most important piece is Perseus with the Head of Medusa by Benvenuto Cellini, which he holds in his hand. As the statue's title suggests, the subject is Perseus, triumphantly displaying the decapitated head of the monster, and in his other hand, he holds the sword.
Ponte Vecchio
The Ponte Vecchio has a unique charm, and its reputation has spread everywhere. For this reason, it has become one of the most recognized bridges worldwide. The hanging houses and shops that line it are characteristic features, making it a popular spot for tourists. This stone bridge is the oldest in Europe, dating back to 1345.
If we look for a symbol that represents Florence, much like the Colosseum does for Rome, we find it in the Ponte Vecchio. It is the face of Florence and the image of the city's romanticism.
In the 15th and 16th centuries, the bridge had a foul smell due to the butchers who occupied its hanging houses. This situation changed when Fernando I, upon moving to the Palazzo Pitti, ordered the removal of these businesses because of the odor they produced. From that time onward, the bridge became home to jewelers, artisans, and goldsmiths. During these same years, a corridor was built on the eastern side of the bridge to connect the Palazzo Vecchio and the Palazzo Pitti; it became known as the Vasari Corridor.
A historical fact about the bridge is that it was the only one to survive the German attack during World War II. A curious detail is that love locks are placed on it to symbolize eternal love between couples. There are so many locks placed there that periodically, the ones already in place must be removed to prevent the bridge's structure from being endangered.
The Ponte Vecchio invites you to relax while not being bothered by the constant flow of people. It’s an ideal spot to unwind and watch life go by. Why not enjoy a sunset on the Ponte Vecchio while listening to the street artists who frequent this area of Florence?
FAMOUS CHURCHES AND MONASTRIES
Florence, as a city of Italy that represents the Catholic empire, has impressive churches on its lands. In particular, there are two that stand out among them: Basilica di Santa Croce and Basilica di Santa Maria Novella.
Basilica di Santa Maria Novella
The Church of Santa Maria Novella is not only the seat of the Florentine Dominicans, but also an art gallery filled with beautiful and authentic details and works.
In Romanesque style and dating back to the 13th and 14th centuries, it features a facade completed in 1470 under the design of Alberti. This temple is famous for housing the fresco "The Holy Trinity" by Masaccio. In 1487, Lippi embellished the Strozzi family chapel, rivals of the Medici, with frescoes depicting the life of Saint John the Evangelist, thus capturing the religious and political spirit of 15th-century Florence.
The church gets its name from a term in the Tuscan dialect that means "Orchard of Saint Michael." This is because the Church of Orsanmichele was built on the land that was once the orchard of the San Michele monastery.
Basilica di Santa Croce
The Church of Santa Croce, located in the Plaza of Santa Croce, is world-renowned as the largest Franciscan church. It is an authentic Florentine pantheon, as it houses around three hundred tombs.
The remains of Michelangelo and Galileo are found in this cemetery.