Florence, Italy City Guide
For over 20 years, Pamela Lanier's Florence, Italy Travel Guide has been your connection to Florence's tourism community with invaluable details on local attractions, restaurants, shopping, museums, history, outdoor recreation and more.
Museums, Galleries & Cathedrals
 The museums of Florence beckon visitors to take pleasure in the magnitude of art and culture that has surrounded this astonishing city for centuries. Make the Uffizi Gallery (Galleria degli Uffizi) in central Florence your first stop in experiencing the artistry this wonderful city has to offer. The gallery houses a collection of Gothic Renaissance art that will take your breath away. The works of the great masters such as Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo and Caravaggio are on exhibit as well as paintings from Spain, Holland and Germany. The gallery is one of the most visited in Florence making it a good idea to purchase tickets before you actually arrive. Located in Central Florence as well is the superb collection of Renaissance art at the 15th century Medici Riccardi Palace (Palazzo Medici-Riccardi). Just east of the Uffizi is the museum of the History of Science ( Museo di Storia della Scienza) housing Galileo's early telescopes and experiments on display along with his middle finger.
The Duomo District is where visitors find many of Florence's historical landmarks. The Duomo Cathedral (Santa Maria del Fiori) is perhaps the most famous Gothic cathedral in the city. Inside the dome is the painting the "Last Judgment" by Vasari & Zuccari and upon completion in 1463, this Renaissance dome was the largest in the world. Right next to the Dome is the Giotto Tower where visitors enjoy climbing up the winding staircase to the top, just for that breathtaking view of the city. Nearby is the Duomo Museum (Museo dell'Opera del Duomo) where Michelangelo's "Pieta" and Donatello's "La Maddalena" are on exhibit. Another interesting site to visit is the tombs of the affluent Medici family at the Medici chapels (Capelle Medicee); Michelangelo designed the interior of the chapel. To view some of the magnificent sculptures by Dontello and Michelangelo, visit the Bargello Sculpture Museum (Museo Nazionale di Bargello). East of the Duomo is Michelangelo's tomb in the Basilica di Santa Croce (Franciscan church). The three statues on top of the tomb symbolize painting, sculpture and architecture.
Florence's most stunning squares are northeast of the Duomo in the San Marco district. As visitors stroll along the streets of the squares, they are sure to be delighted by the ambiance and the history surrounding the lovely area. Starting with the Accademia Gallery (Galleria dell'Accademia) established in 1563 as the worlds first art school. Today, Michelangelo's world famous sculpture of "David" is on display at the gallery. To view the Renaissance paintings of Fra Angelico, visit the San Marco Museum (Museo di San Marco located in a historical 14th Century Monastery.
|
