Florence Adventures

Florence, the English translation for our “Firenze,” is a beautiful place whose name conveys the idea of this flourishing city of art, which was the cradle of the Renaissance, the cultural movement that spread throughout Europe in the 14th century.

Here are the top things I’m interested in doing while I’m there:

Duomo - Cathedral of Santa Maria dei Fiore

This is Florence’s most known landmark. The gothic duomo began in 1296, made holy in 1436, and holds 20,000 people. The building was initiated in the early Italian Renaissance and completed during the high Renaissance period. The exterior is made of green, pink, and white marble. Inside, Brunelleschi's Dome is a masterpiece of construction. Ghiberti designed the set of doors that faces the front of the Duomo in the early 1400s, and a young Michelangelo thought they were so beautiful that they could be the Gates of Paradise. The steep 414-step climb up the 85m-high campanile, designed by Giotto, is accompanied by one of the greatest views of the city.

Baptistery of San Giovanni (Battistero)

During the 11^th century the Christians used the foundation of a Roman building to develop a Baptist church using a Tuscan Romanesque style. The Baptistery was being remodeled to create a Cathedral with the space enough for a large crowd to attend the administration of baptisms. The Cathedral was dedicated to the patron saint, John the Baptist, which Christians celebrated on June the 24^th.  The Baptistery throughout the 11^th – 14^th century was in development with many artists leading its unique construction. The mediaeval building contains tombs of individuals who have died in Florence. Among the tombs Pope John XXIII, who was buried inside the Baptistery of San Giovanni.

Piazza della Signoria

Piazza della Signoria is the origin and history of the Florentine Republic. The Piazza della Signoria also known as the Palazzo Vecchio is the origin of the political capital in the city of Florence. It’s the meeting place of tourists as well the locals for political events. The L square platform was a lack of development around the surrounding buildings during the 13^th century when the guelphs and Ghibellines were in battle for the control of the city.

Pitti Palace

During the Renaissance, Pitti Palace was the resident of the grand dukes of Tuscany as well as the king of Italy; Now the Palace stores important collections of sculptures, paintings, porcelains, and a costume gallery. The Palace provides the Italian Renaissance history through its art that extends to the Boboli Gardens also famous for its agriculture and large fountains.

Uffizi Gallery

The Uffizi Gallery is one of the most famous museums in the world for its artworks and masterpieces displayed from the Renaissance period. In the center of Florence, Italian artists Botticelli, Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, and Raffaelle are in the Uffizi Gallery. The Uffizi Gallery is near the Piazza della Signoria in a narrow building that was the offices of magistrates in the Grand Duch of Tuscany. Grand Duke Cosimo I de’ Medici turned it into a gallery and it was completed by the architect Bernardo Buontalenti in 1581. The long corridors after completion were used to display the Medici family’s art.

Palazzo degli Uffizi

Was built between 1560 and 1580 to house government offices. The Medici family gave the collection to the city in 1743 with the condition that it will never leave Florence. It contains some of Italy’s best-known paintings; including Piero della Francesco’s profile portraits of the Duke and Duchess of Urbino and Sandro Botticelli’s La nascita di Venere (The Birth of Venus). The world-famous collection is displayed in chronological order and spans art history from ancient Greek sculpture to 18th-century Venetian paintings but its main attraction is the Renaissance collection. “Allow enough time to savor the world’s greatest gallery of Renaissance art—and don’t forget to look up at the marvelous frescoed hallway ceilings.”—Louise Fili, author, The Civilized Shopper’s Guide to Florence.

Accademia Gallery

The prince of the Lorraine family that ruled over Tuscany for over a century, the Grand Duke Pietro Leopoldo, united in 1784 all the Florentine drawing schools into one “Academy.” He founded the gallery to exhibit painting to help the studies of the Acadamy’s students. This gallery features giant marble sculptures created by Michelangelo and also features the original statue of David by Michelangelo. The Accademia has less crowded halls and allow visitors to really experience the art symbols and painting techniques.

Church of Santa Maria Novella

The main attractions here are the Crucifix by Giotto, Masaccio's Holy Trinity and the Crucifix by Brunelleschi.

Mercato Centrale

Offers a wide selection of typical local food and drinks. Here, you have the unique opportunity to taste the best that Tuscany has to offer.

The Basilica of San Miniato al Monte

The basilica in Florence, resides on top of one of the highest points in Central Italy. Its Romanesque structures are known to be superior in Tuscany and one of the most viewed churches in Italy. The Basilica name comes from a Christian martyr St. Minias who was known to be a merchant, or Armenian prince who left his home to begin a pilgrimage to Rome. He stayed in Florence and lived as a hermit.

Ponte Vecchio

Ancient photogenic bridge, first built in Roman times, and then rebuilt in the middle Ages. It crosses the Arno River and makes for an evocative stroll.

Piazzale Michelangelo

Piazzale is a famous center square with a wide view of Florence, Italy, and is a tourist destination in the Oltramo district of the city. The Piazzale was created to be a monument dedicated to Michelangelo’s famous artwork. Sculptures from both Michelangelo and artists from the Renaissance were used to design the Piazzele.  His many chapel sculptures are displayed during the 19^th century became a part of the present day restaurant tourists come to. The famous artwork, Italian food, and view of the city attract all visitors.

Il Gelato Vivoli

One of the best well known gelato shops in Florence. It is said to be the oldest gelato shop in the city, founded in 1929.

Museo del Bargello

Set during the 13^th century, it was placed with many Renaissance sculptures and Michelangelo artworks. The Museo del Bargello resides as the National museum of Florence. The palace was first the headquarters for the city; the palace later in the sixteenth century became the Bargello, which is the head of the police. During the 18^th century the Museo was used as a prison. In the mid-19^th century, the sculptures, and minor Gothic decorative arts were displayed and were used as the National Museum.