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 Roman baptistery |
Piazza San Giovanni Florence 50129 Italy +39 55 230 2885 |
Although the Baptistery's precise origins remain unclear, its foundations are known to date back to Roman times. The central doors are stunning works of art, depicting scenes from the Old and New Testament and they have been called The Gates of Paradise. Lorenzo Ghiberti who worked on them from 1403 to 1424 designed these ornate doors. Inside, the octagonal structure is richly decorated with Roman columns and gilded column heads. The floor's marble inlay features Islamic-style patterns and the apse is decorated with 13th-century mosaics. Coppo di Marcovaldo and Cimabue were among those involved in the cupola's decorative mosaic work. Admission: EUR 3. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Nick Richards  |
 Photo: Shannon Savage |
 Photo: aewolf |
 Photo: Moira Richey |
 Photo: Bill Tyne |
 Photo: Benjamin E. Wood |
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 Great works by Pontormo |
Via Senese, 206-208r Florence Italy +39 55 204 9217 |
Both architecturally and artistically unique, this monastery commissioned in 1342 by Niccolò Acciaioli, viceroy of the Kingdom of Naples, was originally home to Carthusian monks. Today Cistercian monks (who have lived here since 1958) give visitors a guided tour of the complex's treasures. The tour winds its way through the monastery, taking in the Chiostrino dei Monaci e il Capitolo, a cloister featuring Albertinelli's 1506 work The Crucifixion. Other architectural works, completed in different periods, make up the Certosa complex. Free admission. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Kate Larsen |
 Photo: bebechan |
 Photo: bebechan |
 Photo: bebechan |
 Photo: Johanna Hopfner |
 Photo: myosotis_65 |
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Path Along the River |
Piazzale degli Uffizi Florence 50122 Italy +39 055 238 8651 http://www.polomuseale.firenze... |
When Cosimo de'Medici, Grand Duke of Florence, addressed his commute to work in Palazzo della Signoria (Palazzo Vecchio) from his home one mile away in the Palazzo Pitti, he worried about the dangerous, dark trek he had to endure. Because the Medici already had assassination attempts, his architect, Giorgio Vasari, designed the elevated skyway so he could travel back and forth without being seen. The corridor became known as the Vasari Corridor and is now a gallery of self-portraits from Renaissance era to present day. Access is only available for groups of 15 or more and booking is a must. Admission: EUR 28.50. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 World-Renowned Art Collection |
Piazzale degli Uffizi, 6 Florence, Firenze 50122 Italy +39 (0)55 238 8651 http://www.polomuseale.firenze... |
The Medici family reserved rooms for their prestigious collection during use of the gallery as magistrate's court in the 1700s. Made up of 40 rooms, the gallery contains works by Leonardo, Michelangelo, Raphael, Caravaggio and Botticelli's Birth of Venus and Primavera. Note the collection of Flemish, French, Dutch and German masters. The corridors, ceilings with splendid frescoes, are lined with Roman and 16th-century sculptures. By reservation, the Vasari Corridor above the Ponte Vecchio offers a link between Pitti Palace and Palazzo Vecchio. The Galleria houses 700 paintings including well-known self-portraits. Admission: EUR 6.50 or EUR 10 when there are special exhibits. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Chris Wee |
 Photo: Stephen Lewis |
 Photo: B Ling |
 Photo: Francesco Remolo |
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 Photo: Veronique Debord |
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 Photo: D. Witting da Prato |
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 Photo: John Gillanders |
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Paintings, Sculptures and Michelangelo's David |
Via Ricasoli, 60 Florence 50122 Italy +39 55 238 8609 http://www.polomuseale.firenze... |
The Accademia Gallery is perhaps best-known for Michelangelo's David, removed after four centuries from Piazza Signoria, now exhibited in a specially constructed hall. Other works by Michelangelo include some of his Slave series and his sculpture of San Matteo. Also featured is an impressive collection of paintings from the 13th to 16th Centuries. Among the gallery's most important works: a Sienese school Crucifix from the 13th Century, 24 panels by Taddeo Gaddi representing scenes from the life of Christ and St Francis and Giovanni da Milano's Pietà. Admission: EUR 6. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: VanMinnen |
 Photo: Fredrik Lööf |
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 Former Royal Garden |
Piazza Pitti, 1 Florence 50125 Italy +39 55 265 1838 http://www.polomuseale.firenze... |
Inside this garden lies the Buontalenti grotto (1583-1593). Decorated with Mannerist-style scenes from Greek and Roman mythology, the grotto includes copies of Michelangelo's famous Slave series, the originals of which were transferred to the Galleria dell'Accademia. In the 17th Century, the garden was extended as far as the Porta Romana, adding the Vasca d'Isola (pond) at the centre with a fountain and a statue of Neptune. In the late 18th century, Zanobi del Rosso built the Kaffehaus pavilion. Admission: EUR 6 and includes entry to the Museo delle Porcellane, Galleria del Costume, Museo degli Argenti and the Museo e Galleria Mozzi Bardini. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Christian |
 Photo: Tony Ruscoe |
 Photo: Tony Ruscoe |
 Photo: Ricardo Aratani |
 Photo: Michael Merideth |
 Photo: Darren F. DeMonsi |
 Photo: Andrew (Haiying) Lao |
 Photo: Sjoerd van Oosten |
 Photo: Berlinoschka |
 Photo: Luca Porcu |
 Photo: Laura Klaassen |
 Photo: Mu-Yun TSENG |
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 Photo: Francesco D. |
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 Photo: Alessio Mariottini |
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 Photo: Cindy Tomczyk |
 Photo: Enrico Maioli |
 Photo: Little Flower 1989 |
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Fantastic view over the city |
Piazzale Michelangelo Florence 50100 Italy |
Renowned for its panoramic views of Florence and the Arno valley, this terrace is a popular spot with locals and tourists. Created as part of major restructuring of the city walls, Giuseppe Poggi's sumptuous terrace is typically 19th century. In 1871, Poggi designed a monument base dedicated to Michelangelo. The monument itself was to be composed of copies of Michelangelo's works, including David and the Medici chapel sculptures from San Lorenzo. When the terrace was finished, Poggi designed the hillside building, now a restaurant, as a museum for Michelangelo's works. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Lorenzo Lazzeri |
 Photo: J. C. Cuesta |
 Photo: Elisabeth Rinaldi |
 Photo: Elisabeth Rinaldi |
 Photo: Raphael Borja |
 Photo: Molly Pierson |
 Photo: Babet. |
 Photo: Ben Kattenburg |
 Photo: Giorgio Castellini |
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Florentine icon |
Ponte Vecchio Florence 50125 Italy |
Best known of all Florence's treasures, this glorious bridge was the only one of six spared by the retreating Germans on 4 August 1944. Over the centuries flooding unfortunately took its toll; few traces of the 10th-century bridge remain. Today's bridge, built in 1345, was filled with butcher's shops which would routinely discard the carcasses into the Arno causing quite a stench. Grand Duke Fernandino I issued an edict to replace the butchers with goldsmiths to eradicate the smell and gentrify royalty's route to Palazzo Pitti, reached via the Vasari Corridor that passes over the bridge. Also, do not padlock anything to the statue of Benvenuto Cellini, often practiced by lovers who padlock a lock to the gate of the statue and toss the key into the river - otherwise face a fine of EUR 50! Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Medici family church |
Piazza San Lorenzo Florence 50123 Italy +39 55 21 6634 |
Encompassing the Biblioteca Laurenziana (the Laurentian Library - one of the most prestigious libraries in Italy) and the Cappelle Medicee, this basilica is a testimony to the political power and patronage of the Medici family. Its origins date back to 393 when St. Ambrose consecrated it in memory of the martyrdom of St. Lawrence. Adorned with fabulous artwork, including the marble Altar of the Sacrament carved by Desiderio da Settignano, the basilica features major artists of the period, including Donatello, Verrocchio, Filippo Lippi and Brunelleschi. This church contains the tombs of many members of the Medici family as well as that of one of their favorite artists, Donatello. Admission: EUR 4. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Maurizio Biagiotti |
 Photo: Lyric Kinard |
 Photo: Lauro Snidaro |
 Photo: Mark Leicester |
 Photo: Jali Becker |
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 Photo: Jenny Giboney |
 Photo: Jawahar Swaminathan |
 Photo: Tim Ould |
 Photo: Sacha Quester-Séméon |
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Romanesque church on the Florentine hills |
Via Monte alle Croci, 34 Florence 50125 Italy +39 55 234 2768 |
San Miniato is one of the most striking examples of Florentine Romanesque architecture, characterized by its bicoloured (white and green) marble façade. The altar, pulpit and transept recess feature fine marble décor, while the floor, in keeping with the Romanesque style, is decorated with symbolic ornamental motifs. Halfway along the nave on the left is another chapel, the Cappella del Cardinale Portogallo, which was designed by one of Brunelleschi's pupils, its architectural and decorative style resembles one of Brunelleschi's first creations, the Sagrestia Vecchia (Old Sacristy), which can be seen in San Lorenzo church. Admission: Free. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Miles Berry |
 Photo: Melissa Demos |
 Photo: katie mcgowan |
 Photo: Adam R Gimpert |
 Photo: Miles Berry |
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 Photo: Melissa Demos |
 Photo: Harold |
 Photo: José Luis Blázquez |
 Photo: Laura George |
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 Photo: Celia Marsh |
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 Photo: Lisa Muccigrosso |
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 Photo: Andrea Righi |
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 Photo: Marta Ghiomelli |
 Photo: Arleen Torgersen |
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Franciscan basilica |
Piazza Santa Croce Florence 50122 Italy |
The construction of the Basilica of Santa Croce began in 1294. Giotto's frescoes in the chapels at the head of the transept are considered to be some of the finest examples of 14th century painting, while the 19th-century architect Niccolò Matas is responsible for the church's distinctive green and white marble façade. The church contains the tombs of the intellectual, artistic and religious figures from Italy's past, including Michelangelo, Machiavelli, Gioacchino Rossini, Galileo and Ugo Foscolo. Although exiled from Florence and buried in Ravenna, Dante, father of the Italian language, is honored with a cenotaph. Admission: EUR 5. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: bootsintheoven |
 Photo: Kars Alfrink |
 Photo: Robert Emery Smith |
 Photo: Kars Alfrink |
 Photo: Dan Reynolds |
 Photo: Joseph Younis |
 Photo: Martin Belam |
 Photo: Riccardo Bonuccelli |
 Photo: Dan Reynolds |
 Photo: kyle garst |
 Photo: Greg Avila |
 Photo: Donna Aceves |
 Photo: Jason Chong |
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The Renowned "Duomo" of Florence |
Piazza del Duomo Florence 50122 Italy +39 055294514 |
As the city's skyline symbol, the legendary Duomo is famous above all for its dome: Filippo Brunelleschi's Renaissance masterpiece, completed in 1436, created a double dome shell so that the dome is entirely self-supporting. It still stands as the largest masonry dome in the world, containing over 4,000,000 bricks! Climb to the top (all 463 steps) to get an unforgettable panoramic view of the city which has changed little in the past 500 years. Construction started in 1296 on the site of the Roman basilica of Santa Reparata of which there are still visible remains with a design by the great Florentine architect, Arnolfo di Cambio. The existing neo-Gothic façade was added in the 19th century by Emilio De Fabris. Covering a massive 3,600 square meters, the frescoes inside the dome depict the Last Judgement, painted by Giorgio Vasari and Federico Zuccari. For those interested the two frescoes on the left-hand wall of the nave are dedicated to two of the most famous mercenaries in Florentine history who are buried in the cathedral: Giovanni Acuto (the Italianized name of the Englishman Sir John Hawkwood) by Paolo Uccello and the other Niccolò da Tolentino by the great Andrea del Castagno. If you can stand the throngs of people and get a good spot early, come on Easter Sunday for the Scioppo del carro (Explosion of the Cart) where a oxen-drawn cart stuffed with fireworks comes from Prato to the center of the city and ignited. Admission to Church: Free; Admission to climb the cupola: EUR 6. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Ken Conley (kwc.org) |
 Photo: Todd Martin |
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