The capital city of Italy’s Tuscany region, Florence is internationally esteemed for its high concentration of Renaissance art and architecture. Because it served as a wealthy and important center for medieval trade and commerce, the city gave birth to the Italian Renaissance movement. Florence is also credited with propagating many artists, inventors, writers, scientists and explorers as well as inventing opera and the florin currency, which lifted Europe from the Dark Ages.
Simulating one enormous outdoor art museum, the city of Florence attracts millions of tourists every year. Walking is the best way to see the major sites in the city center. Some of the best places to walk include the Ponte Vecchio, a beautiful bridge spanning the Arno River and featuring a number of high-end jewelry shops. An overview of the top tourist attractions in Florence.
dreamstime/© Horst LieberCovered with an ornate loggia supported by open arches, the Mercato Nuovo is one of the most unusual marketplaces in Florence. While souvenirs like straw hats are sold here, it’s the history and legends connected with Mercato Nuovo that most attract visitors. In the center of the loggia is the “stone of shame,” a place where debtors were once punished with bare-bottom spankings. A colorful Italian expression for winding up broke may have originated from this practice. On the southern side of the loggia is the Fontana del Porcellino, a fountain that features a bronze boar statue. Rubbing the snout of the “Piglet” is said to bring good fortune.
dreamstime/© VvoevalePerched high atop a hill, the oldest church in Florence offers panoramic views of one of Italy’s most scenic cities. Behinds its charming green-and-white façade is a treasure trove of beautiful art. Medieval frescoes, mosaics and inlaid-marble floors adorn the chapels of the Romanesque structure. The Renaissance era is well represented too. With its carved pilasters, medallion ceilings, marble statuary and colorful frescoes, the Cappella del Cardinale del Portogallo showcases the diversity of the era. San Minato is most enchanting in the early evening when Benedictine monks celebrate mass with Gregorian chanting.
dreamstime/© Dragan JovanovicOne of the oldest sections of Florence, the Piazza della Repubblica sits on the site of the city’s Roman forum. The Colonna dell’Abbondanza, a monument built in 1431, marks the exact center of the ancient settlement. Densely inhabited during the Medieval Era, the square was completely renovated during the 1800s. A triumphal arch on the west side of the plaza commemorates its transformation. Today, the plaza is best known for its elegant Neoclassical structures, luxury shops and outdoor eateries, including the famous Giubbe Rosse café, a notable meeting place for artists and writers.
dreamstime/© Natalia VolkovaRenaissance art and architecture are on full display at this ceremonial building adjacent to a corner of the Piazza della Signoria. Supported by columns topped with Corinthian capitals, wide arches invite visitors to view the sculptures under the bay of this open-air gallery. Benvenuto Cellini’s bronze statue of Perseus holding the head of Medusa is a star attraction. Carved from a single block of white marble, the “Rape of the Sabine Women” by Giambologna is awe-inspiring as well. Considered a masterpiece of composition and movement, the dramatic sculpture was constructed to be viewed from all sides.
dreamstime/© Dark3y3sNo visit to Florence is complete without paying homage to the city’s most famous inhabitants, many of whom are buried within the church nicknamed the Temple of the Italian Glories. The world’s largest Franciscan church, Santa Croce is the final resting place for luminaries like Michelangelo, Rossini, Galileo and Dante. The cathedral’s 16 chapels also feature breath-taking works of art, including frescoes by Giotto painted at the height of his talent. The realism of his “Death of St. Francis” helped lay the foundation for the Renaissance Era. Located in the cathedral’s first cloister, the Pazzi Chapel is a must-see as well. Built after a design by Filippo Brunelleschi, it’s regarded as a masterpiece of Renaissance architecture.
wikipedia/Stefan BauerThe Palazzo Pitti is a large 15th century palace situated on the quieter south bank of the Arno river The palace was long the residence of Florence’s rulers until 1919, when it was handed over to the Italian state, which transformed the palace into a museum complex. In spite of its metamorphosis from royal residence to a state-owned public building, the palazzo, sitting on its elevated site overlooking Florence, still retains the air and atmosphere of a private collection in a grand house.
flickr/Erik Daniel DrostThe Piazzale Michelangelo is a large, partly pedestrianized square located across the Arno River from the center of Florence. From the square visitors have a magnificent view over the city. The spacious square was laid out in 1860 by Giuseppe Poggi, a local architect who is also known for his creation of boulevards around the center of Florence.
flickr/NrbelexLocated behind the Palazzo Pitti, the Boboli Gardens were created by the Medici family in the 16th century. The beautiful and varied Italianesque garden is home to a large number of statues and fountains. The gardens have passed through several stages of enlargement and restructuring work. They were enlarged in the 17th century to their present extent and have come to form an outdoor museum of garden sculpture that includes Roman antiquities as well as later works.
Situated at the center of the city’s main market district, the Basilica di San Lorenzo is one of the oldest churches of Florence and was the burial place of all the principal members of the Medici family. The church, originally designed by Filippo Brunelleschi in the 15th century, is an early example of ecclesiastical Renaissance architecture. The façade of this church was never completed, giving it a striking, rustic appearance. Inside the church is pure Renaissance neo-classical splendor.
flickr/Cristian ViarisioThe Galleria dell’Accademia or “Gallery of the Academy” is certainly the most famous for its sculptures by the great Renaissance artist, Michelangelo. His Prisoners (or Slaves), his St. Matthew and, above all, the outstanding statue of David are what draw most of the hundreds of thousands of visitors the museum welcomes every year. Other works on display are Florentine paintings from the 15th and 16th centuries, including works by Sandro Botticelli and from the High Renaissance such as Giambologna’s original plaster for the Rape of the Sabine Women.
flickr/aleph78One of Florence’s most significant buildings is the Palazzo Vecchio, a grand palace overlooking the Piazza della Signoria. Built in the 12th century, the Palazzo Vecchio housed the powerful Medici family as well as Florence’s supreme governing body for six centuries. Since 1872, it has served in part as a museum and as the city town hall. This impressive palace packs a wealth of artifacts and art works that include beautiful frescoes, sculptures, painted ceilings, intricate carvings and tapestries that all depict historic and Biblical events.
Serving over the centuries as an important center for politics and the site of several historic episodes, the Piazza della Signoria is a beautiful square centered among some of the top attractions in Florence. It is here that tourists can visit remarkable places like the Palazzo Vecchio, the Uffizi Museum, the Palazzo Uguccioni, the Loggia de Lanzi and the nearby Ponte Vecchio bridge. This town square is also a treasure trove of notable sculptures such as a replica of Michelangelo’s Statue of David, the Fountain of Neptune, Hercules and Cacus as well as Perseus with the Head of Medusa.
flickr/cfweeRegarded today as one of the world’s greatest art museums, the Uffizi Gallery is located off the Piazza della Signoria. This former palace was first built in 1560 to house the offices of the city magistrates. After the ruling dynasty of the Medici family relinquished its power, the palace evolved into an art gallery to showcase its stunning collection of Renaissance art treasures. Opened to the public since 1765, the museum offers thousands of art works by masters like Michelangelo, Botticelli, Leonardo da Vinci and Titian.
Spanning the Arno River, the Ponte Vecchio is one of Florence’s oldest and most photographed bridges. Noted for its three segmented arches, the bridge was first built by the Etruscans and later rebuilt in the 14th century. The bridge’s most striking feature is the line of high-end jewelry shops flanking along each of its edges. Many visitors come here to shop and take photographs. Night time presents stunning views when the lighting from the bridge is reflected upon the water.
Dominating the panoramic view of Florence is the Santa Maria del Fiore, the domed cathedral that is often called the Duomo. Known today as the world’s largest masonry dome, this majestic cathedral features 600 years worth of stunning architecture and art works. From its beautiful Gothic facade of red, green and white marble to its elaborate interior of stained-glass windows, mosaics, frescoes and bronze statues, the Duomo complex also includes the impressive structures of the Baptistery and Giotto’s bell tower. A climb to the top will reward tourists with incredible views of Florence and outlying valley.
Great article! I agree, Florence is fantastic. Just imagine all the great artists who lived here.
And yeah, Il Duomo is definitely the #1 attraction. I think you could add Galleria dell’Accademia to the list though – besides from that it’s perfect.
Just realized I haven’t written a comment here, so I just wanted to say thank you for this awesome post. I bookmarked it before we went to Florence for 2 days in July this summer and it proved really helpful.
Thank you so much for an awesome guide!
I agree with Jacob’s comment. I went through the list and couldn’t believe that the Galleria dell’Accademia was absent. I have been to Florence many times and always, ALWAYS take friends to see “THE DAVID” first thing.
@Marily, @Jacob. Whoops! Added the Galleria dell’Accademia to the list.
Great post with all the best things to do in Florence. I have a few pieces of extra advice: Choose Forti di Belvedere insteaf of Piazzale Michelangelo. The view is at least as awesome, and there are almost no tourists. Do take your time to get lost in the old streets of Florence. Actually this might be the true number 1 thing to do in Florence. If you can – time your visit in Florence for one the many festivals in the city. Especially Scoppio del carro – festival of the exploding cart is fantastic. Hope to see you in Florence sometime.
Yeah, it is a great list! I think you pick up the most important places and it is not easy because Florence is just full of things to see! I have one extra place to add and that is Piazza Santa Croce and its church. To me that’s the most authentic square you can find and it has a special charm. Of course it is a touristic attraction but less then others and its light is very special. I love to sit on one of its stone bench and just stare at light changing the colour of the Santa Croce Church facade by the sunset. Here you can find some history too, and it is peculiar.
http://www.fibnb.com/insights/florence/basilica-of-santa-croce-in-florence/
Cammy
Wauw. This is a great post with a lot of valuable information. I haven’t been in Florence, but now I will def. consider it again when going to Italy
What a great guide! We definitely will keep this in mind, for when we are going to Florence. It is such a lovely place.