Top 20 Attractions in Florence

Florence is the embodiment of the spirit of the Renaissance, a city-architectural masterpiece and the birthplace of great creators who forever imprinted their names in the memory of mankind. Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, Niccolò Donatello, Dante Alighieri, Benvenuto Cellini - all these brilliant masters lived and created their immortal masterpieces in Florence.

The city is surrounded by magnificent landscapes of Tuscany, the best works of art are exhibited in Florentine museums, and opera singers perform in medieval squares. Florence inspires and enchants - no tourist remains indifferent to its beauties. Florence is called the "city of flowers", which bloomed its beautiful petals among the picturesque plains and hills of Italy.

What to see and where to go in Florence?

The most interesting and beautiful places for walking. Photos and a short description.

Santa Maria del Fiore

Luxurious and graceful cathedral, a real architectural marvel that has adorned Florence for several centuries. The construction of the temple lasted several centuries under the guidance of such famous architects as Giotto di Bondone, Francesco Talenti, Giovanni di Lappo Ghini and others. The vaults of the cathedral are decorated with frescoes of the 15th century, the incredible beauty of the facade is decorated with marble bas-reliefs, the red dome of the cathedral seems to hover over the city.

Baptistery of San Giovanni

Octagonal marble building of the XI-XII century, intended for baptism. Representatives of the powerful Medici family and the great Dante accepted the Christian faith here. The building is decorated with bas-reliefs, which Byzantine masters worked on. The eastern gate of the baptistery attracts the most attention of tourists, where scenes from the Bible are depicted on gilded panels.

Belfry of Giotto

The bell tower is part of the architectural complex of the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore. This is an outstanding example of Italian architectural art, created with the participation of the master Giotto di Bondone. His name is immortalized in the name of the campanile. The tower reaches a height of 84 meters, on the upper tier there is an observation deck, from where the panorama of Florence opens up to the tourist's gaze. More than 400 steps lead to the platform.

Basilica of Santa Croce

Basilica of the XIII century, a classic monument of Italian Gothic. It is assumed that the architect Arnolfo di Cambio began work on the construction of the temple. According to legend, on the site of the basilica there was a chapel built by St. Francis of Assisi. The interior is decorated with works of art of the XIV-XV centuries. There are works by Giotto, Benedetto de Maiano, Donatello, Giovanni da Milano, Bernardo Rossellino. The basilica belongs to the Franciscan Order.

Basilica of San Lorenzo

An architectural monument of the 15th century, built in the style of the early Renaissance. The temple contains the tombs of representatives of the Medici family. During the heyday of this influential Florentine family, the Basilica of San Lorenzo was the parish church of the Medici. Near the main altar is the tomb of the founder of the dynasty, Cosimo the Elder. At the basilica there is a monastery and the Laurentian library.

Basilica of Santa Maria Novella

The main Dominican church of Florence, an architectural monument of the XIII-XIV centuries. Previously, this place was a Romanesque chapel, which was placed at the disposal of the monks of the Dominican Order. The basilica is decorated with an openwork facade, a bit reminiscent of a painting on a decorative box. The interior space is decorated with Greek frescoes and marble bas-reliefs. In the basilica, the action of the "Decameron" by D. Boccaccio begins.

Monastery and Church of San Marco

The monastery, which in the XIV century passed to the Dominican order from the Congregation of the Sylvesterians of St. Benedict at the behest of the ruler of Tuscany (the Benedictines did not manage the economy well enough). It is believed that the monastery arose in the XII century. In the second half of the 19th century, the National Museum of San Marco was created in the monastery. The collections of this museum contain priceless exhibits of the creators of the Renaissance.

Academy of Fine Arts

The very first European Academy of Painting, founded in 1561 with the participation and full support of Duke Cosimo I of Medici. Agnolo Bronzino, Giorgio Vasari and Bartolomeo Ammanati stood at the origins of the academy. An art gallery is open at the institution, where outstanding works of art are exhibited. Among them is the famous "David" by Michelangelo. This five-meter statue is one of the symbols of the Renaissance.

Bargello Museum

The museum, which is located in a historic building of the XIII century. The building is a real medieval castle. In past centuries, a prison, a barracks, a judge's residence, and a city magistrate were located here. The collection of the Bargello Museum is considered one of the most important in all of Italy. The works of B. Cellini, Michelangelo, Giambologna and other famous masters are kept here.

Dante Alighieri House Museum

Donte Alighieri is a famous poet, politician, creator of the immortal "Divine Comedy" and one of the founders of the Italian language. The ancient stone house of a genius in one of the oldest Florentine quarters has been turned into a museum named after him. The exposition tells about the life of Dante and his creative path. The museum has many paintings depicting Florence in the 14th century.

Palazzo Vecchio

The palace of the late XIII - early XIV centuries, which houses the city municipality. The rulers of the Republic of Florence and the Duchy of Tuscany have sat here for centuries. The building is crowned with a tower 94 meters high, named after the master Arnolfo di Cambio. The Palazzo has survived to this day in its original form. The rich interior decoration is the merit of the court architect of the Medici family, master D. Vasari.

Palazzo Pitti

The palace, built for the Pitti family in the 15th century in the gloomy Quattroceto architectural style (one of the trends of the Early Renaissance). It currently houses one of the best museums in Florence. Rather, on the territory of the Palazzo Pitti there are several different expositions: the Palatina Gallery, the Silver Museum, the Costume Gallery, the Porcelain Museum, the Museum of Modern Art.

Palazzo Medici Riccardi

For many centuries the palace was the main residence of the Medici - the ruling family of Florence. The dynasty came from the banker Cosimo the Elder, who achieved such a high position thanks to his money and influence. In the middle of the 15th century, a magnificent palazzo was built for the newly-made ruler. In the 17th century, the building was sold to the Riccardi family, who worked on its expansion and renovation in the Renaissance style.

Piazza Michelangelo

Florentine Square, from where the best panorama of the city opens. Because of this, it is always crowded and noisy. The square was created in the XIX century during a large-scale reconstruction of Florence. The name was given in honor of the unsurpassed creator Michelangelo. In 1873, a copy of the sculpture "David" by Michelangelo and four more copies of the creations of this famous Renaissance sculptor were installed on the square.

Signoria Square

The historic center and one of the most beautiful squares in all of Italy. The area is a harmonious architectural ensemble, which includes the Palazzo Vecchio, the Fountain of Neptune, the Loggia of Lanzi and several sculptural groups. Even in ancient times, there was a crossroads of important roads, there was a Roman amphitheater and ancient villas. But these buildings have not survived to this day.

Uffizi Gallery

One of the most famous art museums in the world. It is difficult to overestimate the cultural value of the Gallery for all Mankind - the masterpieces of Botticelli, Giotto, Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael, Caravaggio are kept here. Under Cosimo I of the Medici dynasty, the Uffizi housed administrative buildings, but over time, an impressive collection of works of art accumulated inside. In the 18th century, it was decided to open a public museum on the territory.

Vasari Corridor

Covered archway across the Arno River that connects Palazzo Pitti and Palazzo Vecchio. It was built by the will of Francesco I de' Medici. Through this corridor, the ruler could quickly cross the river without having to go outside. The passage is decorated with paintings by Titian, da Vinci, Giotto and several hundred more works by masters of the 16th-17th centuries. Today, a walk through the Vasari is possible only for a fee.

Ponte Vecchio Bridge

Crossing over the Arno River, which was built in the days of Ancient Rome. Over the past centuries, the bridge has been repeatedly destroyed, washed away and rebuilt. In the 15th century, the Florentine meat market worked here, because of which a bad smell spread throughout the surroundings. Now on Ponte Vecchio, the place of butcher shops has been taken by expensive jewelry boutiques for tourists. The bridge itself is part of the Vasari Corridor.

Cashine Park

In the 16th century, the hunting grounds of the Medici family were located on the site of the park. At the beginning of the 19th century, the territory was opened to the public, and later the park was sold to the city authorities. Since then, Cascine has become a popular holiday destination for Florentines. It is equipped with bicycle and pedestrian paths, signs, picnic areas and other infrastructure. Entrance is free for everyone.

Boboli Gardens

Landscape park complex, lavishly decorated with fountains, gazebos and flower beds. The gardens were founded in the 15th century at the request of the wife of Cosimo I de Medici, Duchess Eleanor of Toledo. Over the centuries, the Boboli Gardens have changed owners several times. Each noble family that acquired these territories sought to contribute to the landscape of the park complex.