The city of Florence is one of the most wonderful destinations in the world. As the birthplace of the Renaissance, Art and Culture is foremost here. Michelangelo’s incredible sculture, “David,” frequently named the best sculpture of all time, takes center stage in Florence, with the original and two copies found around the city.
David
The Duomo, actually the Cathedral, Santa Maria del Fiore, sports the famous Brunelleschi dome, a triumph of Renaissance engineering, and lovely pink, green, and white marble.
- Duomo
The Ponte Vecchio is a very attractive bridge across the River Arno. It contains many shops featuring Florentine leather, jewelry and other trinkets.
Ponte Vecchio
Another church, the Basilica of Santa Croce, is the final resting place of many of the city’s famous figures, including Machiavelli, Michelangelo, Rossini, and Galileo. It is also graced with the statue of another Florentine, Dante, who wrote the Divine Comedy.
Basilica of Santa Croce
Another of Florence’s great churches is Santa Maria Novella, with its interesting architecture and even more interesting interior.
Santa Maria Novella
The most important museum in the city is the Uffizi Gallery, a remarkable collection of Renaissance and other Art, amassed by the Medicis, a wealthy and influential Florentine family. My favorite painting here is the “Birth of Venus,” by Botticelli.
Birth of Venus
Above the city, across the Arno River is the Pitti Palace and its formal gardens, known as the Boboli Gardens.
Boboli Gardens
Piazza Michelangelo, also across the river from the city, affords visitors a picturesque view of Florence.
Florence Cityscape
