Florence Tourism & Travel Guide - Places to see in Florence

Florence Tour & Travel Guide - Places to See in Florence

Duomo

Or the Basilica del Santa Maria del Fiore or the Basilica of Saint Mary of the Flower. Just “Duomo” is easier. The Duomo along with the Campanile and the Baptistery is considered the heart of Florence and has been designated as a World Heritage site. Often called the inside-out cathedral, the Duomo boasts a magnificent exterior (not so uncommon in Italy with its wealth of stunning cathedrals) but a bare austere interior (definitely uncommon). With marble from Sienna, Lavenza, Carrara among others facing the outer walls, the largest masonry dome in the world even today and a lavishly decorated facade, the exterior of the Duomo is really built to impress. If you’re gawking at the dome - Florence’s most recognisable symbol - from the Piazza, you’ll be in good company as there is now a huge statue of Brunelleschi looking admiringly up at his own creation. In contrast, the insides soar starkly into space – an apt pulpit for Savonarola to preach his doctrine of religious austerity. Although admission to the church is free, visiting the cupola is by ticket only.

The Baptistery

Until the end of the nineteenth century, all Catholic Florentines were baptised in the Battistero di San Giovanni or the Baptistery. More famous alumni include Dante and several of the Medicis. The Baptistery which itself holds the status of a small cathedral is located opposite the Duomo and is one of Florence’s oldest and most venerated buildings. The Doors of the Baptistery are legends in themselves with the oldest being the South Doors cast in the fourteenth century by Andrea Pisano. In a contest held in 1401 (often symbolic as the year of the beginning of the Renaissance), the merchant guild of Florence offered a commission to the winner of designing the northern entrance. Lorenzo Ghiberti, a twenty-two year old local boy won it beating several veterans including Brunelleschi. He was to spend the next twenty one years of his life designing and casting the South Doors with scenes from the New Testament. The result was such that in 1425, he was commissioned to execute the East Doors. They say it is hard to improve on perfection but twenty-seven years later, the doors executed with scenes from the Old Testament in gilded bronze were to elicit universal praise with one spectator likening them to the Gates of Paradise itself. The spectator was called Michelangelo - possibly no greater praise of Ghiberti’s life work can be found. Admission is by ticket and the Baptistery is open only on the mornings on Sundays.

The Campanile or the Bell Tower

Clad in the same three marble colours as the Duomo and part of the same complex, the Campanile soars above the surrounding buildings looking as delicate and airy as a spun-sugar decoration on a cake. Giotto’s architectural skills were not as good as his aesthetics and the tower was saved from imploding by Andrea Pisano. The Campanile was finally finished by Francesco Talenti. Climb up the 448 steps of the Campanile for some of the best views of Florence, Brunelleschi’s Dome and the Baptistery.

Uffizi Galleries

One of the most famous and oldest museums of Western Europe, the Galleria degli Uffizi is a must-see even for the dedicated museum loather. Quite simply, the museum has the finest collection of Renaissance Art in the world and that’s saying a lot given how prolific the period was. The exhibitors read like a Renaissance who’s-who list – Botticelli, Michelangelo, da Vinci, Titian, Raphael, Caravaggio and almost all the fifteen hundred odd paintings hung here are masterpieces. The museum is astonishingly small given the number of paintings on display and sensory overload is common. Long lines (hour long waits are common and five hour waits have been known to have happened) and crowds are common and in peak seasons, the authorities often shut down specific rooms. It is best to see the Uffizi over two or three visits if possible.

Galleria dell’ Accademia

The Academy Galleries can be summed up in one word. David. Michelangelo’s David. The David. Though the museum has other famous works, part of it was built specially to house the giant statue that Michelangelo sculpted at the peak of his artistic powers. There are other very fine works including Michelangelo’s remarkable “Slaves”, works by Botticelli, by Tadeo Gaddi, and a lovely collection of Russian icons. However, there’s no denying that David with his lithe and sinewy marbled body not to mention facial expressions that supposedly change depending from where you’re looking, attracts the maximum number of eyeballs. Waits to see him can stretch into hours and early morning or late evening visits may be faster.

Palazzo Pitti

A massive rambling pile built by Cosimo de Medici for his wife, the Pitti Palace now hosts a remarkable collection of museums that display the treasure trove of art goodies that the Medicis amassed over successive generations. The Galleria Palatina or the Painting Gallery is the most famous with its impressive collection that was owned not just by the Medicis but also succeeding Lorraines. Famous crowd-pullers include Ruben’s Rise of Christ and Caravaggio’s Toothpuller. Other rooms include the Venus Room with Titian’s The Concert and the Jupiter Room with Raphael’s La Velata. The museum also displays the private apartments of the Medicis as well as a separate Silver Museum, the Costume Galleries and the Carriage Museum.

Ponte Vecchio

A much photographed subject (especially around sunset time), Ponte Vecchio, along with the Duomo, is one of Florence’s most recognized symbols. The medieval stone bridge narrowly missed being blown up by the Germans during the War and has also outlived a few floods since then. Flanked by two medieval towers, the Torre dei Mannelli and the Torre degli Ubriachi (Drunks' Tower), the bridge also hosts the Corridoio Vasariano (Vassari’s Corridor) and its accompanying glittering line of goldsmith shops. The bridge opens out in the centre into two large balconies over the river that house a bust of Cellini.

Florence Travel Packages