The Cathedral

The pointed dome of the Cathedral is without doubt one of the most impressive monuments of Florence and is known worldwide for its red tile, by Brunelleschi and its Gothic facade, made of pink marble, white and green. Everyone knows this church as the “Cathedral of Florence” but the real name is the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore in size and is the fourth cathedral in the world. The Cathedral is identified as the symbol of the city of Florence: its construction, which began in 1296, lasted 140 years, those parts of the facade of the cathedral are decorated with stained glass windows by Lorenzo Ghiberti and painted by Paolo Uccello and Andrea del Castagno.

The Baptistery and the Campanile

Beside the cathedral is the Baptistery, dedicated to St. John the Baptist and the place where many famous Florentines were baptized, including Dante. Next door is the Giotto’s Bell Tower, in his elegant 84.7 meters tall. From the top (414 steps) you can have a beautiful view of the city of Florence. The construction of the bell tower was begun in 1334 Giotto did not ever see the end because he died three years later. And ‘open every day from 8.30 to 19.30 and closed during some holidays.

Dante’s House

The building known as the Casa di Dante, is located in Via Santa Margherita, at number 1, just a few steps from Piazza del Duomo, is not the true birthplace of the poet, so much so that the building is construction of the early twentieth century, but it houses a museum dedicated to the work, to life and society of Dante.

Loggia della Signoria

In its own piazza, the Loggia della Signoria (built in the fourteenth century) is a gallery of statues, like that of Perseus holding the head of Medusa, or what is the Rape of the Sabine Women (a work of Giambologna).

Palazzo Vecchio

The Palazzo Vecchio in Piazza della Signoria, with the Cathedral, has become one of the symbols of Florence, with its 94 meters high tower of Arnolfo.

Basilica of Santa Maria Novella

The Basilica of Santa Maria Novella in the homonymous square is another example of the prestigious religious architecture in Florence: the church, which is located a short walk from Central Station in the city, dating from the thirteenth century and was built to host the Florentine convent of the Dominicans . Inside you can admire the magnificent painting of Masaccio, “The Trinity”.

Palazzo Strozzi

Strotti Palace is the home of the Renaissance most impressive of all of Florence, built by Filippo Strozzi, a rival of the Medici family. Today it is home to some offices and occasionally hosts art exhibitions.

Palazzo Corsini

Palazzo Corsini is a baroque building located in the Parione 11, on the south bank of the Arno, built by the family.

Basilica of San Lorenzo

The beautiful Renaissance church of San Lorenzo owes its origins to 1419, through the work of Brunelleschi. The work was suspended and then resumed, were completed – in 1442 – by Antonio Manetti, a student of Brunelleschi. To make it big this church is the nave is separated from the aisles by columns of gray stone, topped by Corinthian capitals.

Old Bridge

The bridge that crosses the Arno River and known as the “Old Bridge” is one of the most famous bridges in the world and beauty will leave you breathless. Always crowded and here we find many street performers.

Uffizi Gallery

The world’s largest museum complex with regard to the collection of Italian and Florentine art. Inside (from 10 to 14 rooms) you can admire the most important works by Botticelli, from the “Birth of Venus” to “Allegory of Spring”. Among his other works are very well known mentions “The Annunciation” by Leonardo da Vinci (room 15), the triptych “Madonna and Child with Saints” by Lorenzetti (room 3), and the “Sacrifice of Isaac” in the halls of Caravaggio. Also admirable rooms 44 and 45: the first dedicated to Rembrandt and the other works “Venetian” and eighteenth-century Canaletto, Guardi and Tiepolo.

Pitti Palace

Pitti Palace has been the home of the Medici family from the sixteenth century and has an enviable collection of paintings. It is a beautiful building, which houses inside an equally beautiful museum, which boasts a wonderful garden. The Pitti family, rivals of the Medici, buckled on the work of this building to Brunelleschi in the fifteenth century by the time the palace became the residence of the Medici themselves. Inside you will find a number of different museums: there is the Palatine Gallery, with more than a thousand Renaissance works by Raphael, Botticelli, Veronese, Tintoretto and Caravaggio. There is a gallery of modern art, with works by the Macchiaioli). And there are also some thematic museums, such as the Costume Gallery, the most important museum dedicated to Italian fashion, the Porcelain Museum and one of the carriages. Every year there is also the Pitti Immagine fair in the field of high fashion.

Museum of the History of Science

Located in Piazza dei Giudici, this museum displays the tools used to measure time and space. You can see maps of the world and the solar system, astrolabes and watches.

Museo dell’Opera del Duomo

Open daily from 9 am to 19:30 and on public holidays until 14, the Museum dell’Opera del Duomo exhibits the works of art dating from the Duomo, the Baptistery and Giotto’s Campanile.

The genius of Leonardo

Located on Via dei Servi at number 66, Leonardo’s genius is put on display in all-sized models that explain the ideas of Leonardo da Vinci. In Florence there are two museums of this kind, the other is called “Leonardo’s machines” and is located in Via Cavour at number 21.

Archaeological Museum

The archaeological museum in Via della Colonna 38, once again one of the most important archaeological collections in Italy. They are preserved examples of Egyptian art, Etruscan and Roman-greek.

Eating in Florence in Florence Eating well is not a problem. The local cuisine, like the rest of the Italian cuisine is all good and healthy. Each region of Italy, however, has its own peculiarities and Florence has to do with the meat. It’s called “Florence” Florence’s most famous steak is a steak cooked rare on the grill or grill. The size of this steak are enormous, so much so that often a steak feeds more than one person. The price is not cheap, but definitely for lovers of good food is a sin of gluttony that can not be waived.

Also as far as the first is still the meat dish, a typical Florentine specialty is the pappardelle with hare sauce (or fresh pasta topped with a ragout of hare). And again, sausages, cheeses and meats complete meals. In addition to a wide range of restaurants in Florence, there are many taverns out of town to eat well without spending too much. For lovers of food “hit and run” the city offers pizzerias, bars with sandwiches every corner. The only rule to follow, be groped by wine. A glass of Chianti is a must and no one will be disappointed.

Are four main events that take place each year in Florence.

Pitti Immagine

The first is Pitti, the fashion event of the most important in the world (the best known is that of Pitti Uomo that twice a year allows you to watch the parade of the men’s collection of the greatest designers). Other events include: “Pitti W Woman Pre-collection” on the pre-collections fashion women held twice a year, “Pitti Immagine Bimbo” on clothes for children up to 14 years (twice a year), “Pitti Immagine Yarn” specialized knitwear (always two editions a year), “Scents” which contains collections of artistic perfumes and essences for the body and for the house and is held once a year and finally “Taste” in order to show the best of food and wine research (one year each year).

Craft Show

In addition to the events Pitti is to report the Exhibition of the “International Fair of Crafts”, to promote the art of making.

The Festival of Peoples

And again, “The festival of the people”, an international festival of documentary films that focus on the theme of man and civilization.

Florence Biennale

Finally, of great importance is also the Florence Biennale, held every odd-numbered year in the month of December.