Florence

Piazzale Michelangelo is located in the hilly area of the city, south of Florence, just outside the historic center. From this large square, which is located about 50 meters above Florence, you can have a panoramic view over the whole of Florence, from Forte Belvedere on the left to the Basilica of Santa Croce passing through the Arno river and bridges. The Duomo and Palazzo Vecchio also stand out distinctly.

The Piazzale can be accessed by car along Viale Michelangelo or climbing the monumental stairways called Rampe del Poggi from Piazza Poggi in the San Niccolò district.

Behind the square, you will find another staircase, which leads to the Abbey of San Miniato al Monte, a beautiful 11th century Romanesque church that dominates the city.

Not far from Piazzale Michelangelo, in the direction of Porta Romana, is the Forte di Belvedere, a large Renaissance fortress, accompanied by a majestic garden, the Boboli Gardens, which reaches up to the aforementioned gate. Access to the garden can also be done from Palazzo Pitti and is considered an open-air museum for its variety of Renaissance sculptures and fountains.

Also from the Forte di Belvedere it will be possible to admire a vast panorama of Florence.

Palazzo Pitti is a large Renaissance palace in the historic center. After being the main residence of the Grand Duchy of Tuscany and the palace for the short period of Florence, the capital of Italy, this palace is currently an important museum complex and one of the access points to the Boboli Gardens.

The Ponte Vecchio is a characteristic bridge that crosses the Arno river, full of shops and shops. The peculiarity of this bridge lies precisely in the residential use and not only for crossing the river, so much so that, in certain sections, it may not give the impression of actually crossing a bridge. To be able to see it from the outside, we recommend looking at it from Ponte Santa Trinita or from the adjacent Lungarno streets.

The Piazza della Signoria is the most important square in Florence, in which Palazzo Vecchio stands out with its tower, seat of the Municipality of Florence. In addition to Palazzo Vecchio, the square is full of other historic buildings, the symbol of a great medieval and Renaissance city, once the capital of the Grand Duchy of Tuscany and, for a short time, the capital of Italy.

The square is not only full of buildings: here it will be possible to admire statues of international fame right in front of Palazzo Vecchio. Many of these are replicas, to avoid deterioration or damage. In order to see the original works, it is necessary to visit the museums of the city.

The Duomo of Florence, also known as the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, is the main church in Florence, known for the famous and huge Brunelleschi's dome. As completion of the work there is Giotto's Bell Tower, also built in the middle of the Renaissance period.

A few steps away, in front of the facade, is the Baptistery of San Giovanni, octagonal in shape and built in the Middle Ages, about two centuries earlier. Its size is comparable to that of the dome of the Cathedral.

The interior of both basilicas is also rich in art and history.

A few hundred meters from the main railway station of Florence, it is possible to admire the Basilica of Santa Maria Novella, which overlooks a large square. This large church housed the Dominican order in the city.

Two other important basilicas in the city are the Basilica of Santa Croce and the Basilica of Santo Spirito. Always located in the historic center, these important basilicas are a landmark in the city. In the past they housed the Franciscan order and the Augustinian order respectively.

The Uffizi Gallery, not far from Ponte Vecchio and Piazza della Signoria, and the Accademia Gallery, in Via Ricasoli, are important city museums of international fame, as are the works of famous Renaissance artists that it exhibits. While the Uffizi Gallery is best known for its Renaissance paintings, such as "The Birth of Venus" by Botticelli, the Accademia Gallery is best known for its statues, such as Michelangelo's"David".

The Bargello National Museum is located in the Palazzo del Bargello, a beautiful medieval palace that houses equally illustrious sculptures.