Province of Florence Travel Guide

For nearly three hundred years, Florence, the birthplace of the Renaissance, was the economic, political and cultural nerve centre of Europe as it emerged from the Middle Ages. Its days as the world’s most important city may have passed but the incredible beauty and abundant artistic heritage of this vibrant Tuscan capital ensure an enlightening experience for each of its many yearly visitors.Michelangelo, Leonardo, Donatello, Giotto, the Lippis, Masaccio, Botticelli, Pontormo: the list of world-renowned artists who have lived and worked in Florence goes on and on. Their amazing legacy echoes to this day, proudly displayed in the city’s many wonderful cathedrals, galleries and piazzas. A good place to start any Florentine adventure is the impressive central square, Piazza del Duomo, dominated by the towering marble façade of the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore. The incredible, self-supporting dome was the first of its kind, and was designed by Brunelleschi. A trip up the 463 steps to the top of the cathedral is rewarded with an intimate look at Vasari’s mesmeric fresco, which adorns the ceiling of the dome, as well as one of the most stunning panoramic views anywhere in the city.Just a short stroll south of the piazza is the Uffizi Gallery, which houses a formidable collection of Renaissance masterpieces. Book your tickets in advance to beat the queues for this world-famous gallery and spend a day immersed in the genius of da Vinci, Botticelli and other artistic giants. The powerful Medici family once resided at the Pitti Palace (Palazzo Pitti) and their incredible wealth and patronage of the arts can still be seen in the palace’s series of galleries, home to works by Caravaggio and Raphael. Not all of Florence’s artistic delights are indoors however the ornate pedestrian bridge, the Ponte Vecchio, is one of the city’s most-visited attractions, and while the beautiful statue of David outside the Palazzo Vecchio is a replica, it matches the original in both its dimensions and its popularity.It may be the art and architecture that get the most attention from tourists, but Florence’s reputation as a European style capital also draws plenty of visitors who come to browse the designer boutiques in Gucci’s home town. Foodies will be satisfied too as the innumerable cafés which dot the city’s streets serve up a number of Tuscan culinary delights, from prosciutto ham to traditional tomato soup. The compact, cobble-stoned centre, reliable electric buses and pleasant Mediterranean climate will all combine to make your stay in Florence as comfortable as it is memorable.