Florence Travel Guide

A veritable treasure chest of Renaissance art and architecture, Florence is a city with a cultural wealth and romantic ambience that few visitors fail to be completely captivated by. The city holds an intimate relationship with the famous and highly revered Italian artist, Michelangelo; with many of his works on display at key locations.

A tour of the city’s Renaissance sights has to begin with the piazza del Duomo, a square that features some of the finest examples of religious architecture from this period. Within the square, the city’s magnificent cathedral, Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore, takes precedence with features such as the Baptistery and Campanile, equally worthy of aesthetic appreciation. Art lovers will meanwhile find Michelangelo’s works on display at the Accademia and the Biblioteca Laurenzia as well as the impressive Uffizi Gallery.

When you’ve reached saturation point with the city’s cultural attractions, then it’s time to head across the 14th century bridge of Ponte Vecchio towards via Calzaiuoli, where you can enjoy a spot of shopping before sitting down for a cup of strong Italian coffee or a relaxing glass of wine at one of the cafés in the area.

Highlights

Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore: located in the piazza del Duomo, this is the city’s most striking Renaissance building with its magnificent dome which was the work of designer Brunelleschi.

Battistero: considered one of the city’s oldest and most venerated buildings, the Baptistery located in piazza del Duomo is believed to have come into being sometime between the 4th and 7th centuries.

Museo dell’Opera del Duomo: exhibits artworks and artifacts recovered from various locations within the Duomo.

Museo Zoologico La Specola: stuffed and preserved animals make up the larger part of this museum’s collection. A series of life-size wax models of the human form are on display to provide anatomical information.

Museo Archeologico: a most impressive collection of archaeological artifacts includes objects from ancient Egypt and Rome as well as those from the Etruscan era.

Palazzo Vecchio: built between 1299 and 1302, the city’s town hall building was designed by Arnolfo di Cambio and was once an important Florentine government building.