The ancient Florentia, with its 2000 years of history, is much more than a city to be visited.
Florence is an emotion, a remembrance, a vision that takes roots in our imagination.
It is a city of perfect beauty and definitely near to the complete balance of perfection. Florence, the city of the lily, is a harmonious combination of Palaces, Arcades and Towers, stretching over the valley crossed by the river Arno and dominated by the hills of Fiesole.
Church of Santa Maria del Fiore
The architectural project of the Florence Duomo is by Arnolfo Di Cambio while the dome that made it the symbol of Tuscany is by Brunelleschi. The inside is enriched by a XVI century marble floor, various sculptures and frescoes by Paolo Uccello, Andrea Del Castagno, Giorgio Vasari and Federico Zuccai (author of the Universal Judgment representation on the Dome). The current cathedral was built on the plan of the previous “Santa Reparata” cathedral, whose archeological remains are still visible in the area below the Duomo.
Opening/Closing Time: From Monday to Friday from 10.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m., Saturday from 10.00 a.m. to 4.45 p.m., Sunday and religious holidays from 01.30 p.m. to 4.45 p.m.
Where: Piazza del Duomo; Bus 1. 6, 7, 11, 14 , 17, 22, 23.
Information: Telephone 055.294514.
Free admission.
Baptistry
It is an octagonal shaped Romanesque building rising next to the Duomo and dating back to the XI century. Of outstanding beauty is the eastern door by L. Ghiberti that Michelangelo described as “from Paradise”, depicting episodes from the Old Testament. The inside cupola is covered by Bizantine style mosaics from 1200 by Venetian and Fiorentine artists, among whom Cimabue.
Opening/Closing Time: from 9.30 a.m. to 12.30 and from 2.30 p.m. to 17.30 p.m..
Where: Piazza del Duomo; Bus 1. 6, 7, 11, 14 , 17, 22, 23.
Ticket only entrance.
Giotto’s Bell Tower
Santa Maria del Fiore’s bell tower is an ingenious invention by Giotto, designed more as an ornamental rather than functional monument.
The three top levels of the bell tower are by Francesco Talenti, which replaced in an innovative way the classic cusp of the Gothic bell towers with a breathtaking terrace dominating the entire Florentine landscape.
Opening/Closing Time: from 9.00 a.m. to 4.20 p.m. in winter; from 9.00 a.m. to 6.50 p.m. in summer.
Where: Piazza del Duomo; Bus 1. 6, 7, 11, 14 , 17, 22, 23.
Information: Telephone 055.2302885.
Ticket only entrance.
Palazzo Vecchio
Built by Arnolfo di Cambio in 1300, Palazzo Vecchio is a Medieval architectural masterpiece and one of the symbols of Florence.
Inside the Salone dei Cinquecento, visitors can admire numerous pictorial decorations by Vasari and the “I geni della vittoria” (the victory geniuses) by Michelangelo, while the Studio Francesco I houses the works by Giambologna and Ammannati.
The court, renovated by Michelozzo in 1470, is embellished by stuccoes, frescoes and by a XVI century fountain.
In addition, visitors can enjoy the monumental Quarters of Leone X and Eleonora di Toledo still preserving many decorations from the XV and XVI centuries.
Opening/Closing Time: from 9.00 a.m. to 7.00 p.m.; weekdays from 8.00 a.m. to 01.00 p.m.; closed on Saturday.
Where: Piazza della Signoria; Bus 1, 6, 7, 11, 14 , 17, 22, 23.
Information: Telephone 055.2768325.
Admission to the Monumental Quarters: ticket only entrance.
The Uffizi Gallery
Extending on an area of over 8000 sq.m., the Uffizi houses one of the most important artistic collections including artistic sculptures, table and paintings both by Italian and foreign schools, ranging from the XIII to the XVIII century, among which special attention should undoubtedly be given to La venere ( Venus) by Botticelli.
The Building was started by Giorgio Vasari and completed by Buontalenti. It was Cosimo I De’ Medici’s idea for the public offices seat (from which it took its name Uffizi).
Opening/Closing Time: from 8.15 a.m. to 6.50 p.m., closed on Monday.
Where: Piazzale degli Uffizi; Bus # 23.
Information: Telephone 055.294883; website www.polomuseale.florence.it/uffizi.
Ticket only entrance.
Ponte Vecchio
Ponte Vecchio is one of the symbols of the city and it was the only bridge spared by the Germans (from here its name) in the summer of 1944, when retreating from Florence they lew up all the bridges to prevent the passage by the Allies.
Its structure is characterized by the presence of small houses where once were located the various shops belonging to the wool Craft, later replaced by goldsmith’s shops to embellish the Grand Duke’s passage from Palazzo Vecchio to Palazzo Pitti.
Where: Ponte Vecchio; Bus #23.
Palazzo Pitti
Palazzo Pitti was designed by Brunelleschi in 1440 on Luca Pitti’s request. It was the Medici’s palace, which was by them later enlarged and embellished with precious ornaments.
Vittorio Emanuele chose it as his residence when Florence became the capital of Italy.
It is currently possibile to visit the royal apartments, the Palatine Gallery, the Silverware Museum, The Modern Art Gallery, The Costume Gallery, the China Museum, the Carriage Museum and the Boboli Garden. The White Room instead houses temporary exhibitions.
Where: Piazza Pitti, 1; Bus #36, 37, 11 and electric Bus B.
Information: Telephone 055.2386614, website www.sbas.florence.it/.
Ticket only entrance.
Certosa Museum
A must, Christ’s Passion by Pontormo.
Opening/Closing Time: Summer: 9.00-11.30 a.m. and 3.00-5.30 p.m. Winter: 9.00-11.30 a.m. and 3.00-4.30 p.m.. Closed on weekday Mondays
Free offer entrance
San Marco Museum
The museum is for the most part dedicated to the Dominican friar Giovanni da Fiesole’s works, known as Fra’ Angelico. The San Marco monastery houses most of Fra Angelico’s paintings present on the Florentine territory. A must, the Deposizione di Cristo (The Deposition), the Trittico di S. Pietro Martire (S. Pietro Martire’s triptyc) and the Pala di S. Marco (altar-piece of San Marco).
Opening/Closing Time: Tuesday-Friday, first, third, fifth Monday of the month 8.15 a.m.- 01.50 p.m.; second, fourth Sunday of the month 08.15 a.m.-07.00 p.m.; Saturday 08.15 a.m.-06.50 p.m.
Information 0552388608 http://www.polomuseale.florence.it/sanmarco/
The Academy Gallery
The gallery houses the ancient paintings of the well known Fiorentine Academy of drawing arts. In the mid XIX century, Michelangelo’s masterpieces were moved here, among which the famous David removed from piazza della Signoria for preservation reasons.
Opening/Closing Time: Tuesday-Sunday 08.15 a.m.-06.50 p.m.
Ticket only entrance
Information Tel. 0552388609 http://www.polomuseale.florence.it
Bargello National Museum
The Bargello National Museum is situated in the building that was once the Palazzo del Capitano del Popolo (People Commander’s Building). A must, the precious Michelangelo room where the great artist’s works are exposed among which the Bacco Ebbro (the Drunken Bacchus) and Virgin Mary with Baby and San Giovannino.
Opening/Closing Time: Tuesday-Saturday: 08.15 a.m.-01.50 p.m.; 2nd, 4th Sunday: 08.15 a.m.-01.50 p.m.; 1st, 3rd, 5th Monday: 08.15 a.m.-01.50 p.m.
Information 055 294883
Ticket only entrance
Museum of Natural History
Together with its 8 milion specimens, it is currently the most important Italian naturalistic museum and one of the most relevant international ones.
The museum features six sections situated in one of the most fascinating historical centers of the world and houses finds of extraordinary scientific and naturalistic value: from the XVI century herbaria to the precious XVIII century waxworks, from the fossil elephant skeletons to the collections of multicoloured butterflies, from the great tourmaline crystals to the Aztec finds, from the impressive wooden sculptures to the greatest inflorescences of the world.
When: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Sunday from 09.00 a.m. to 01.00 p.m.
Saturday from 09.00 a.m. to 05.00 p.m.
closed on Wednesday
Information: 055 2757462 http://www.specola.unifi.it/
Museum of Santa Croce
Not to be missed, the XIV century dining hall with the famous Crocifisso (the Christ on the Cross) by Cimabue, next to which are a magnificent fresco by Taddeo Gaddi (Albero della Croce – the Cross Three), the golden bronze S. Ludovico by Donatello. Part of the visit route is also the famous Pazzi chapel, one of Brunelleschi’s most original masterpieces.
When: Weekdays 09.30 a.m.-05.30 p.m.; holidays 01.00-05.30 p.m..
Ticket only entrance
Information 0552466105
The Corsini Gallery
It hosts XVI and XVII century masterpieces. Special attention should be given to five allegoric figures by Filippino Lippi, the Crucifixion attributed to Antonello da Messina, together with the Madonna (Virgin Mary) by Botticelli.
Opening/Closing Time: by appointment only
Ticket only entrance
Information 055212880
Museum of Salvatore Ferragamo
An exposition of about 10,000 models shoes documenting Salvatore Ferragamo’s real story and the activity of the fashion firm, from the ‘20s to the current collections.
Monday-Friday 09.00 a.m.-06.00 p.m. Closet in August and during Christmas holidays
Free admission
Information 0553360456 http://www.ferragamo.com
Torrini Museum
The museum houses art examples of the famous Torrini goldsmith house.
Opening/Closing Time:Tuesday and Thursday 03.00 p.m.-05.00 p.m. and by appointment
Free of charge entrance
Information http://www.torrinimuseo.it
Museum of Dante’s House
The museum is an exhibition of the iconographic, graphic and documentary material related to Dante Alighieri’s life in addition to various editions of the Divine Comedy..
Temporarily closed for renovation.
Ticket only entrance
Information 055219416
The Boboli Garden
It is the most important garden in Florence for it is a true and real open air museum, populated by ancient and Renaissance statues, enriched by ornaments, caves and large fountains. The Buontalenti Cave, where visitors can admire the mosaics representing various mythological episodes, is no doubt the most spectacular. Its charming routes bring to life the spirit of the ancient medieval court.
Opening/Closing Time: from November to February from 08.15 a.m. to 04.30 p.m.; in March from 08.15 a.m. to 05.30 p.m.; in April, May, September and October from 08.15 a.m. to 06.30 p.m., in June, July and August from 08.15 a.m. to 07.30 p.m.
Where: Behind Palazzo Pitti; Piazza Pitti, 1; Bus #36, 37, 11 and electric Bus B.
Information: Telephone 055.2651838.
Ticket only entrance.
Parco delle Cascine
Situated on the Arno right shore, the Cascine extend for about 118 hectares, forming the largest public park of Florence. Strolling and relax site.
Piazza della Signoria
It is dominated by the mass of Palazzo Vecchio backgrounded by the three arched of the Loggia della Signoria (also referred to as dei Lanzi because the Lanzichenecchi camped here). It is embellished by sculptures such as the Perseo, one of Benvenuto Cellini’s masterpieces and the Ratto delle Sabine* (the Rape of the Sabines) by Giambologna (1583). Also present copies of masterpieces by Michelangelo and Donatello.
Piazza Santa Croce
Since ancient times the vast square has been destined to meetings and events. Today it is still seat to the famous historical football team.
Via de' Tornabuoni
One of the most glamorous streets of Florence, it is constellated by refined shops and ateliers of the most prestigious fashion firms.
Piazzale Michelangiolo
One of the most famous and patronized squares of Florence. Realized in mid XIX century, it offers a breathtaking view of the city.
Loggia del Porcellino
Loggia del Porcellino is the popular name given to the new Loggia del Mercato (Market Loggia) of Florence. Originally destined to the sale of silk and precious objects, then more recently to the famous straw hats, while today it is mostly dedicated to leather goods and souvenirs. The focal point of the loggia is the Fountain of the Porcellino, that is a XVIII century bronze wild boar by Pietro Tacca, copy of the original version kept at Palazzo Pitti. According to popular tradition, touching its nose brings good luck, that is why it shines for being constantly touched by hands every day. To obtain a good omen, you must put a coin in the boar’s mouth after rubbing its nose: if the coin falls past the grate where the water flows, it will bring good luck.
