Florence
What to do
Florence is an extraordinary city that over the centuries has managed to keep its charm intact. A center of intense artistic, cultural and political activity, it has left a great imprint on Italian and world history. Walking through the streets of Florence is always fascinating; its history and artistic heritage are unparalleled. Florence is a city that steals the heart, its historic center is an open-air museum full of masterpieces and works of art unique in the world.
CATHEDRAL OF SANTA MARIA DEL FIORE
The impressive Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, the cathedral of Florence, is the symbol of the city. Designed by Arnolfo di Cambio, it is the 5th largest in the world and the 1st largest in Europe. The cathedral is composed of three large naves, and the exterior is opulent yet geometric with typical white, green and red marble slabs, a distinctive architectural feature of Florence. Breathtaking is the sight of Filippo Brunelleschi’s impressive dome is a timeless work of engineering. Frescoed by Giorgio Vasari and Federico Zuccari, the dome enchants with its eternal beauty.
PIAZZA DELLA SIGNORIA
Piazza della Signoria is one of Italy’s most enchanting squares, the site of numerous historical, political and civic events it has always been the hub of Florentine life. It was here that the Medici returned to the city after exile and Girolamo Savonarola had objects deemed sinful burned. The square faces Palazzo Vecchio, the seat of the Florentine government and one of the most distinctive medieval palaces in Italy. In front of its entrance is a copy of Michelangelo’s David and opposite, the Loggia dei Lanzi, an open-air sculptural complex.
GALLERIA DEGLI UFFIZI
The Uffizi Gallery, is a real treasure trove, was designed by Giorgio Vasari and commissioned by the De Medici family. The museum complex also includes the Corridoio Vasariano, Palazzo Pitti and the Giardino di Boboli. It is one of the most visited museums for its collections of sculptures and paintings ranging from the Middle Ages to the modern age. Botticelli, Caravaggio, Correggio, Michelangelo, Leonardo and Piero della Francesca are some of the artists in the collections alongside masterpieces of European painting. Rounding out the collection are the de Medici family’s statutory collections and sculptures from Ancient Rome.