Florence Italy is the center of the Renaissance and is the capital of the Tuscany region. Florence abounds with beautiful churches and museums. There is so much to see and do in this marvelous city. Here are just a few of them.
This short article can in no way contain all of the exciting things that you can do in this marvelous city. Allow a minimum of two days and even then, you will miss things.
- The Duomo
- Ponte Vecchio
- Galleria degli Uffizi
- Galleria dell’ Academia
- Santa Croce
- The Baptistery
- Piazza della Signoria and Palazzo Vecchio
- Campanile Bell Tower
- The Pitti Palace and Boboli Gardens.
The Duomo is THE church of Florence. Work began on it in the 13th century but was built on the remains of a 7th century church. The highlight of the church is the beautiful frescoes by Georgio Vaserari. The wonderful mosaics on the floor are breathtaking.
Ponte Vecchio (Old Bridge) is a “must see” place in Florence. It was built in 1345 and is the only medieval bridge still standing across the Arno River as the Allies destroyed all the other bridges in WWII. Today it is lined with luxurious jewelry shops and is a lovely place to spend a couple hours.
The Galleria degli Uffizi houses the most popular series of Renaissance art. Artists include Michelangelo, Giotto, Botticelli, Leonardo da Vinci, Perugino, and Raphael.
The Galleria dell’ Academia is famous for Michelangelo’s “David’ sculpture, probably the most famous sculpture in the world. The museum is filled with many of Michelangelo’s famous works. There is a fascinating array of musical instruments.
The Santa Croce Church is the largest Franciscan church in Italy. It is popular because it houses the tombs of Michelangelo and Dante. The interior is magnificent with its stained glass windows and frescoes.
The Baptistery of John the Baptist dates from the 11th century and is one of the oldest buildings in Florence. Probably the highlight of the Baptistery is the three bronze doors (original ones are in the museum).
The Piazza della Signoria is the largest square in Florence and is the home of the Palazzo Vecchio, containing several private rooms and apartments. The Piazza contains many famous sculptures, including a copy of Michelangelo’s “David.” The square is surrounded by shops and restaurants.
The Campanile Bell Tower is located in the Duomo. Four hundred and fourteen steps lead to the most spectacular view of Florence if you are up to it.
The Pitti Palace and Boboli Gardens house some of the most beautiful works of art in Florence. The gardens are beautiful and provide the opportunity to relax among the beauty and fragrance of the beautiful flowers and shrubs.
Joe T. White
