Florence for Italy is an attraction itself. Among the hundreds of epithets, which are given to the city, perhaps the most popular is the "capital of the Renaissance". In Italy people know how to keep the monuments and Florence is a very good example. To keep means not to interfere. Urban environment, which has been formed over the centuries, today is not diluted by high-tech industry. In the heart of Florence no one would dream of building a skyscraper or a multi-storey shopping mall. Only the Cathedral is allowed to stand here.
Cathedral in Florence
The cathedral, the Duomo, Basilica Santa Maria del Fiore - it's all about the main sight of Florence. The cathedral was being built for 6 centuries. And, you know, we can say that 6 centuries were not spent in vain. Every detail of the cathedral - from murals to the bell – is a piece of art of the class, above which is only the eternal radiance of pure beauty. To date, the Cathedral in Florence is a whole architectural complex. Apart from the cathedral there are also included:
- Giotto's bell tower with one of the best views in Italy
- Baptistery with the famous bronze gates, called by Michelangelo "Gates of the Paradise"
- Opera del Duomo Museum located just behind the cathedral, where today people are able to see works by Michelangelo, Donatello and Ghiberti.
Uffizi Gallery, Piazzale degli Uffizi, 6 Phone: 39055238 8651
Renaissance as it is – it is the Uffizi Gallery. Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Botticelli and Fra Angelico are the names that are now synonymous with the very concept of "art." Their works form the basis of the exposure of one of the most famous museums in the world and one of the main attractions of Florence. You should devote the whole day to visit the Uffizi Gallery. After all, even a quick view of all of its rooms will take at least three hours. It is also worth noting that in the Uffizi gallery tickets should be booked in advance, especially in summer.
Academy Gallery, Via Ricasoli, 60; Phone: 39 055-238-8609
Academy Gallery is a place, which is famous thanks to a single sculpture. This is the "David" by Michelangelo. Many believe that the perfection of the sculpture overshadows the rest of the exhibits. Nevertheless, in the Academy Gallery you can find lots of interesting items, including the Michelangelo’s unfinished work "Slaves" and the “Madonna del Mare” painting, the authorship of which is not fully established: either by Botticelli or Filippino Lippi.
Ponte Vecchio Bridge
Ponte Vecchio, the famous “bridge with houses”, which is also considered as one of the main attractions of Florence, has spread from one to the other side of the river Arno. This bridge was several times destroyed and rebuilt. Here, the best jewelers of Florence had their shops. It is considered that the beauty of the bridge did not allow the Nazis to blow it up, who were retreating from Italy in 1944. Ponte Vecchio was the only bridge in Florence that survived after the Second World War.
San Lorenzo Market
The center of shopping in Florence is the market of San Lorenzo. The area around the church of San Lorenzo enjoys the fame of the main place to buy souvenirs in Florence. Also known as "leather fair", the market of San Larentso offers various belts, bags, leather pants, whips and trinkets. Leather jacket at a price of 100-150 euros can be bought here at the market of San Lorenzo.
Piazza della Seniora
Piazza della Seniora is the central square of Florence, which everyone usually love in Italy: pigeons, medieval palaces, picturesque fountains. On the Piazza della Seniora is located the main sculpture gallery of the city - Loggia de 'Lanzi. The area is also decorated by the Palazzo Vecchio (13 century), which still houses the city administration. Another symbol of Florence is the Fountain of Neptune. Opposite the fountain in the Piazza dela Senhora you can see the place where was hanged and then burned the priest Savanarola. Savanarole was belonged to the idea of "bonfires of vanity", in which both carriers sin burned luxury items, books and works of art. According to the legend, several of the paintings were destroyed by Botticelli.
To the other most important tourist attractions in Florence attaches the Pitti Palace - the former residence of the Medici clan, the church of Santa Croce, which had the tombs of Michelangelo, Rossini, and Machiavelli, as well as tens and hundreds of unique, perhaps less flashy but no less interesting mansions, palaces, museums and squares.
