FLORENCE ITALY
by Ritika Nandkeolyar
The birthplace of Renaissance art and architecture,
Florence contains many striking buildings, churches
and galleries. Visitors often return to this city
several times to explore its many treasures. Listed below
are our picks for the best Florence attractions and activities.
The Uffizi Gallery
The Uffizi palace houses the one of the world’s most
important collections of Renaissance art including
several masterpieces by Botticelli, Michelangelo and
Titian. There are also works by da Vinci and
Caravaggio. This gallery can be considered one of the
oldest museums in the world and was first opened to
the public in the late 16th century by the Medici
family. The museum is extremely popular with visitors,
particularly in the summer, so, avoid long lines by
buying timed-entry tickets in advance.
www.uffizi.firenze.it
Galleria dell'Accademia
The most famous work at the museum is Michelangelo’s
500 year-old David. David was moved into the gallery
into 1873 from the Piazza della Siagnora. You might
find the trip a bit disappointing since the statue is
surrounded by a large Plexiglas shield. The gallery
also has other works by Michelangelo and paintings. As
with the Uffizi, you should buy tickets in advance to
avoid lines.
http://www.firenzemusei.it/accademia/
Bargello Museum
Although less popular than the Uffizi and Accademia,
this museum contains 30,000 pieces of art including
the most comprehensive collection of medieval and
Renaissance sculpture in Italy. Most famous works
include Donatello’s David, Michelangelo’s Bacchus,
Brutus and Madonna & Child.
http://www.polomuseale.firenze.it/musei/bargello/default.asp
Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore (Duomo)
Florence’s cathedral dominates the city’s skyline. It
is the fourth-largest cathedral in the world and took
nearly 150 years to build. The cupola, built starting
in 1420, was designed by Brunelleschi, who developed
entirely new building methods since traditional
methods of dome construction could not create a cover
for an area so large and high. Brunelleschi’s methods
were used to build many of Europe’s later domes
including that of St. Peter’s in the Vatican City. The
other notable feature of the duomo is the pink, white
and green marble facade. The nearby baptistery is
famous for its bronze doors known as “the Gates of
Paradise.”
http://www.duomofirenze.it/
Ponte Vecchio
This old bridge dates to 1345 and has housed goldsmith
and jeweler shops ever since the late 16th century.
Although probably not the best place for bargains, the
bridge is a popular place for window-shopping. You can
also get views of Florence’s city center by strolling
along the south bank of the Arno.
Palazzo Pitti (Pitti Palace) and Boboli Gardens
This palace, located on the south bank of the Arno,
was originally built by Brunelleschi for the Pitti
family and then acquired by the Medicis. Inside the
building are several museums which showcase the Medici
family’s art collection, state rooms and costumes.
However, for many people the true highlight of this
palace is the magnificent Boboli Gardens. These
gardens are designed in the formal Renaissance style
and include pools, fountains, grottos, a Belvedere and
geometric landscaping.
www.palazzopitti.it/
Piazza della Signoria
The Piazza is Florence’s most splendid public square
and heart of city politics since the 13th century.
Political speeches would be delivered in front of the
Vecchio Palace and public would then vote by lining up
in the square. A plaque marks the spot where in 1497,
Savonarola convinced his followers to throw their
worldly goods into the famous bonfire of the vanities.
The square is lined with replicas of famous sculptures
including David and historic buildings. There are
several places to get coffee or gelato.
Church of Santa Croce
This church is famous of both its art collection and
being the resting place of many famous Florentines.
Tombs include those of Michelangelo, Macchiavelli,
Galileo and Bardi. Various chapels feature works of
art by Giotto and della Robbia, and the cloisters were
designed by Brunelleschi.
Church of San Lorenzo and the Medici Chapels
Originally founded in the 4th century, San Lorenzo is
the city’s second most important church. In the early
15th century, it became the official church of the
Medici family and was rebuilt by Brunelleschi.
Although the facade is sparse and unfinished, the
interior is decorated in geometric tiles that showcase
the strong architectural lines. Michelangelo designed
the Medici Chapel, used by the family as a mausoleum
and to impress guests at important functions.
Piazzale Michelangelo
This wide square, located on the south bank of the
Arno east of the center of Florence, provides a
spectacular view of the city and the surrounding Arno
Valley. The square, built in 1869, contains
reproductions of Michelangelo’s Day, Night, Dawn, Dusk
and David. On the hill behind the terrace is the
Church of San Miniato al Monte. You can reach the
Piazza by walking (about an 1 hour roundtrip) or bus.
by Ritika Nandkeolyar
The birthplace of Renaissance art and architecture,
Florence contains many striking buildings, churches
and galleries. Visitors often return to this city
several times to explore its many treasures. Listed below
are our picks for the best Florence attractions and activities.
The Uffizi Gallery
The Uffizi palace houses the one of the world’s most
important collections of Renaissance art including
several masterpieces by Botticelli, Michelangelo and
Titian. There are also works by da Vinci and
Caravaggio. This gallery can be considered one of the
oldest museums in the world and was first opened to
the public in the late 16th century by the Medici
family. The museum is extremely popular with visitors,
particularly in the summer, so, avoid long lines by
buying timed-entry tickets in advance.
www.uffizi.firenze.it
Galleria dell'Accademia
The most famous work at the museum is Michelangelo’s
500 year-old David. David was moved into the gallery
into 1873 from the Piazza della Siagnora. You might
find the trip a bit disappointing since the statue is
surrounded by a large Plexiglas shield. The gallery
also has other works by Michelangelo and paintings. As
with the Uffizi, you should buy tickets in advance to
avoid lines.
http://www.firenzemusei.it/accademia/
Bargello Museum
Although less popular than the Uffizi and Accademia,
this museum contains 30,000 pieces of art including
the most comprehensive collection of medieval and
Renaissance sculpture in Italy. Most famous works
include Donatello’s David, Michelangelo’s Bacchus,
Brutus and Madonna & Child.
http://www.polomuseale.firenze.it/musei/bargello/default.asp
Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore (Duomo)
Florence’s cathedral dominates the city’s skyline. It
is the fourth-largest cathedral in the world and took
nearly 150 years to build. The cupola, built starting
in 1420, was designed by Brunelleschi, who developed
entirely new building methods since traditional
methods of dome construction could not create a cover
for an area so large and high. Brunelleschi’s methods
were used to build many of Europe’s later domes
including that of St. Peter’s in the Vatican City. The
other notable feature of the duomo is the pink, white
and green marble facade. The nearby baptistery is
famous for its bronze doors known as “the Gates of
Paradise.”
http://www.duomofirenze.it/
Ponte Vecchio
This old bridge dates to 1345 and has housed goldsmith
and jeweler shops ever since the late 16th century.
Although probably not the best place for bargains, the
bridge is a popular place for window-shopping. You can
also get views of Florence’s city center by strolling
along the south bank of the Arno.
Palazzo Pitti (Pitti Palace) and Boboli Gardens
This palace, located on the south bank of the Arno,
was originally built by Brunelleschi for the Pitti
family and then acquired by the Medicis. Inside the
building are several museums which showcase the Medici
family’s art collection, state rooms and costumes.
However, for many people the true highlight of this
palace is the magnificent Boboli Gardens. These
gardens are designed in the formal Renaissance style
and include pools, fountains, grottos, a Belvedere and
geometric landscaping.
www.palazzopitti.it/
Piazza della Signoria
The Piazza is Florence’s most splendid public square
and heart of city politics since the 13th century.
Political speeches would be delivered in front of the
Vecchio Palace and public would then vote by lining up
in the square. A plaque marks the spot where in 1497,
Savonarola convinced his followers to throw their
worldly goods into the famous bonfire of the vanities.
The square is lined with replicas of famous sculptures
including David and historic buildings. There are
several places to get coffee or gelato.
Church of Santa Croce
This church is famous of both its art collection and
being the resting place of many famous Florentines.
Tombs include those of Michelangelo, Macchiavelli,
Galileo and Bardi. Various chapels feature works of
art by Giotto and della Robbia, and the cloisters were
designed by Brunelleschi.
Church of San Lorenzo and the Medici Chapels
Originally founded in the 4th century, San Lorenzo is
the city’s second most important church. In the early
15th century, it became the official church of the
Medici family and was rebuilt by Brunelleschi.
Although the facade is sparse and unfinished, the
interior is decorated in geometric tiles that showcase
the strong architectural lines. Michelangelo designed
the Medici Chapel, used by the family as a mausoleum
and to impress guests at important functions.
Piazzale Michelangelo
This wide square, located on the south bank of the
Arno east of the center of Florence, provides a
spectacular view of the city and the surrounding Arno
Valley. The square, built in 1869, contains
reproductions of Michelangelo’s Day, Night, Dawn, Dusk
and David. On the hill behind the terrace is the
Church of San Miniato al Monte. You can reach the
Piazza by walking (about an 1 hour roundtrip) or bus.
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FAMILY TRAVEL FUN
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