The capital of the province of Tuscany, Florence is the center of concentration of Renaissance art and architecture, as during the Renaissance, Florence served as a rich and important center of medieval trade and commerce. Florence is one huge open-air museum. It attracts millions of tourists every year.
1. Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore
Cathedral Santa Maria del Fiore or Duomo Cathedral in Florence, the most famous landmark of the capital of Tuscany. The Duomo Cathedral is the end result of many years of work that span more than 7 centuries of history. The main architectural project was designed by Arnolfo di Cambio at the end of the 13th century, the dome, which has become a symbol for the whole of Tuscany, was created by the genius of the Renaissance Filippo Brunelleschi.
In 1293, the Florentine Republic decided to build a magnificent cathedral. The project was directed by Arnolfo di Cambio in 1294, and he solemnly laid the foundation stone on September 8, 1296. It was here that on the morning of April 26, 1478, Giuliano Medici was killed, and his brother Lorenzo the Magnificent managed to escape death at the hands of assassins.
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| Cathedral Santa Maria del Fiore in the top 10 Attractions in Florence |
2. Ponte Vecchio
Ponte Vecchio is one of the oldest and most photographed bridges in Florence. The famous three-arched bridge was built by the Etruscans and then rebuilt in the 14th century.
The footbridge is often teeming with tourists and street musicians, portrait painters, and other street performers, creating a vibrant holiday atmosphere. There is a line of high-quality jewelry stores on the bridge . Many tourists come here for shopping and photography. The nighttime is a stunning view as the lighting from the bridge reflects on the water. To visit all the sights of Florence, be sure to book a city tour.
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| Ponte Vecchio Landmark of Florence |
3. Uffizi Gallery
The Uffizi Gallery, a must-see attraction in Florence. The Uffizi Gallery today, regarded as one of the greatest museums in the art world, the Uffizi Gallery is located at the Piazza della Signoria.
The Uffizi Gallery began to be built under the architect Giorgio Vasari in 1560, for Cosimo I de Medici , to house the offices of the Florentine judges, hence the name Uffizi "offices". The construction was completed in 1581. When the ruling Medici dynasty gave up their power, the palace housed a museum that houses a magnificent collection of treasures of Renaissance art. The Uffizi Gallery, as a museum, was opened to the general public in 1765 and houses thousands of works of art by such masters as Botticelli, Leonardo da Vinci, Titian and Michelangelo
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| Uffizi Gallery, Attractions in Florence |
4. Piazza della Signoria
The origin of the square dates back to the thirteenth century, when the area was owned by the Uberti family, at the time the richest family in Florence. The square has been the center of Florence's political life since the 14th century. It was the scene of great triumphs such as the return of the Medici in 1530, as well as tragic events, here in 1498 after he was condemned by the Inquisition as a heretic, the priest and dictator of Florence Savonarola was burned at the stake.
Near the square are some of Florence's iconic landmarks such as the Palazzo Vecchio, the Uffizi Museum and the Ponte Vecchio. A statue of David, the work of Michelangelo, the fountain of Neptune, Hercules is installed on the square . and also Perseus with the head of Medusa.
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| Piazza della Signoria, Attractions in Florence |
5. Palazzo Vecchio
Palazzo Vecchio, or Old Palace - a massive, Romanesque, the fortress is one of the most impressive urban buildings of Tuscany, overlooking the Piazza della Signoria with its statue of David by Michelangelo , is one of the most famous sights of Florence. Palazzo Vecchio has been the home of the Medici family since 1540.
The center of urban political and cultural life for centuries, Piazza Signorini is surrounded by some of Florence's most iconic and famous buildings. Its main decoration is the Palazzo Vecchio, the seat of the government. This grandiose fortress-palace, which seems to be hewn out of a rock, is crowned with battlements of a gallery and a high tower. Built at the beginning of the XIV century. As an administrative building for the assembly of the highest rulers of Florence, Palazzo Vecchio has changed its name many times. The residence was reconstructed and completed, but
has always remained the most recognizable building in the city. Its current name, meaning "old palace", the building received thanks to the Duke of Tuscany, who moved his residence to the new palace. The numerous rooms of the Palazzo Vecchio were ideal for statesmen. The interior decoration of the rooms reflected the greatness of the Florentine Republic and the wealth of its nobility.
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| Palazzo Vecchio, Attractions in Florence |
6. Basilica di San Lorenzo
The Basilica di San Lorenzo (Church of San Lorenzo) is the oldest in Florence. It was consecrated in 393, but almost nothing of it has survived to this day. The Basilica di San Lorenzo in Florence was rebuilt 2 times, the first time in 1059 and the second time in its current form, thanks to the Medici family , in accordance with the project of Brunelleschi in 1418-1421.
The latest reconstruction that we see today is considered one of the finest buildings of the Renaissance. The church was painted by the most famous Florentine painters of the time, the painting still remains intact, despite several renovations of the 19th century. The old sacristy was designed by Brunelleschi and decorated with frescoes by Donatello. The new sacristy houses the tomb of Lorenzo the Magnificent.
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| Basilica di San Lorenzo, Attractions in Florence |
7. The Boboli Gardens
The Boboli Gardens were created for the Medici family in the 16th century. The beautiful and varied garden is home to many statues and fountains. The garden went through several stages of expansion and reconstruction, enlarged in the 17th century.
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| The Boboli Gardens, Attractions in Florence |
8. Piazzale Michelangelo
Piazzale Michelangelo is one of the best and most famous lookout points for enjoying stunning views of Florence.
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| Piazzale Michelangelo, Attractions in Florence |
9. Palazzo Pitti (Pitti Palace)
The Palazzo Pitti, which was previously the seat of the Grand Dukes of Tuscany and then the King of Italy. It currently houses several important collections of painting and sculpture, artwork, porcelain and a gallery of costumes from a bygone era.
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| Palazzo Pitti, Attractions in Florence |
10. Loggia del Mercato Nuovo (New Market)
Loggia del Mercato Nuovo is a covered market located in the historic center of Florence. The first market appeared on this site in the 11th century, and the loggia was built in the 16th century to protect merchants from bad weather and was named Mercato Nuovo (new market) to distinguish the new market from the destroyed Mercato Vecchio (old market). Inside the loggia, merchants sold luxury items such as silk and gold.
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| Loggia del Mercato Nuovo, Attractions in Florence |