Attractions & Activities in Florence, Italy

1. The Florence Cathedral (The Duomo)

The construction of The Florence Cathedral (The Duomo) began at the end of the 13th century. The magnificent dome, constructed without use of scaffolding, was designed by Filippo Brunelleschi and completed in 1434. For many centuries it has been the symbol of Florence and Renaissance architecture. Today, this is the fourth largest cathedral in the world, after St. Peter's in Rome, St. Paul's in London and the Duomo in Milan. The Duomo is one of the most famous tourist attractions in Florence, Italy.

The facade is very colorful with a design in white, red and green marble. The exterior, adorned with statues and windows, was designed in the second part of the 19th century by Emilio de Fabris, following the design of Giotto's bell tower.

The inside has high gothic arches, windows and doors. The walls are adorned with frescoes, including those by Paolo Uccello and Andrea del Castagno. Brunelleschi's dome rises high above marble pavement inside the cathedral. Visitors can climb to the top of the dome and enjoy scenic views of the city.

A separate structure located on the entrance side, the Baptistry is famous for its East door panels by Ghiberti which mark the beginnings of Renaissance. The South doors were designed by Andrea Pisano. The Baptistry also features colorful mosaics from the 13th century. < The bell tower (campanile) was designed by Giotto more as a decoration for the square than for practical use. The marble pieces for the tower were brought from different areas of Italy: white marble from Carrara, green from Prato, and red from Siena. The bell tower is about 20 feet shorter than the dome. When visiting churches you have to have your shoulders and legs covered to be let into the church or cathedral. This usually means wearing a shirt with short or long sleeves, and trousers for men.

The present site of the Museum of the Opera del Duomo was originally used at the end of the thirteenth century for planning and storage while the Duomo was being built.

Today, the palace houses original works that had to be removed from the Duomo and the Baptistery, especially from the exterior to avoid damage. The museum is open weekdays from 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. and Sundays from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. To confirm opening hours call +39-055-230-2885.

2. Piazza della Signoria and Michelangelo's David

Piazza della Signoria has been the political center of Florence for centuries. Today, it is a lively spot with many restaurants, bars and ice cream shops. In front of Palazzo Vecchio (The Old Palace) one finds a copy of the famous David by Michelangelo, the Marzocco by Donatello and the Neptune Fountain.

The entrance to the Uffizi Gallery is just off the square. In the area covered by the Loggia dei Lanzi there are numerous statues, including Cellini's bronze Perseus. Next to the Neptune Fountain is an equestrian statue of Grand Duke Cosimo I of the Medici.

In the warmer months, visitors can go on a romantic carriage ride through town, beginning in Piazza della Signoria. At night, locals and visitors alike follow the promenade along Via dei Calzaiuoli, a lively shopping street that connects the square with he Duomo of Florence.

The original statue of Michelangelo's David is located in the museum Galleria dell'Accademia, along with Michelangelo's other important works such as the Four Prisoners. The statue of David used to stand in front of Palazzo Vecchio, but was later moved indoors.

A copy is now displayed in front of the palace. The statue of David portrays the ancient hero who killed the fierce opponent Goliath by using a simple slingshot. Michelangelo sculpted David as he would have looked before the fight, with a slingshot over his left shoulder, standing tall and focused.

The statue was completed around 1504 and put on display. The copy is located outdoors and can be seen 24 hours a day. There is another copy in Piazzale Michelangelo. To see the original statue, you can visit Galleria dell'Accademia.

3. Palazzo Vecchio

Palazzo Vecchio (The Old Palace) is the main complex in Piazza della Signoria. In 1540, Cosimo I of the Medici family converted the palace into the residence of the Dukes of Florence. Major attractions inside Palazzo Vecchio include Room of the Lilies, Elenora di Toledo's Rooms, the inner courtyard with the Putto Fountain, and Michelangelo's statue the Victory.

Palazzo Vecchio is open to visitors Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Thursday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The museum is closed on certain holidays.

If you do not have time to visit Palazzo Vecchio, step into the inner courtyard and take a look at the Putto Fountain and frescoes of old maps.

4. The Uffizi Gallery

The Uffizi Gallery is home to numerous famous art works such as the Birth of Venus and the Primavera by Botticelli, The Annunciation by Leonardo da Vinci as well as works by Michelangelo, Titian and Rubens. The gallery is a must-see on your vacation to Florence.

The museum was originally designed around 1560 by Giorgio Vasari as special offices for the Duke Cosimo I of the Medici family. The gallery is rectangular in shape, beginning at the Signoria Palace and stretching to the Arno river.

Francesco I, the son of Cosimo I, started a private art collection on the second floor. Over the centuries, noble families added more and more precious art to the collection as well as the Pitti Palace

The Botticelli Rooms are must-see rooms for any serious art lover. The Birth of Venus (completed around 1485) is a truly magnificent piece of art depicting the Roman goddess of love born from the sea, as she is being blown towards land to be covered with a cloak. The Botticelli Room also features the Allegory of Spring, Pallas and the Centaur, Madonna of the Pomegranate, the Annunciation, Adoration of the Magi, and other works by Sandro Botticelli. The Leonardo Room features the Annunciation and the Adoration of the Magi by Leonardo da Vinci. It also houses works by Perugino, Luca Signorelli and others. The museum also houses Michelangelo's Holy Family, Titian's Venus of Urbino, as well as later paintings by Rubens, Van Dyck, Caravaggio and Rembrandt. Because of its popularity and because only small groups are let into the museum at one time, people have to wait in line for several hours to enter. Not many visitors know there is number that you can call in advance and reserve a specific time to visit the museum. You can call 39-055-294-883 (Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. and Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and buy your tickets ahead of time. The Uffizi is open Tuesday through Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 6:50 p.m. and on Sunday from 8:30 a.m. to 1:50 p.m. The museum is closed on Mondays and on certain holidays.

5. The Pitti Palace

The Pitti Palace is one of the top spots in Florence for art lovers. The building was constructed in the 15th century by the Florentine Pitti family, and was occupied by the Medici family around 1550 after they came to power. The building of the original palace was probably supervised by Brunelleschi. Over the centuries, the palace was expanded by the Medici and turned into a priceless private museum of paintings, sculptures and other rate collectibles. In the back, the palace opens up to the beautiful Boboli gardens with fountains, sculptures and sweeping views of the city.

The Palatine Gallery is a unique collection of 16th and 17th masterpieces by Fra' Bartolomeo, Andrea del Sarto, Pontormo, Rosso Fiorentino, Caravaggio, Rubens, Van Dyck, and others. The gallery has not been rearranged since the 19th century and looks more like a private collection than a museum. The walls are adorned with golden stuccos and completely covered with paintings, from top to bottom. It's a must-see if you are planning a cultural vacation to Italy. The Palatine Gallery is open Tuesday to Sunday from 8:15 a.m. to 6: 50 p.m. It is closed Mondays and certain holidays. To confirm opening hours and for more information call +39-055-2388-614.

The Silver Museum is a showcase of unique vases, cups, gold and silver pieces, and precious gems. There are also portraits of powerful Florentines, such as Savonarola and Cosimo I of the Medici family, as well as marble busts of ancient emperors. The museum is open from 8:15 a.m. to 1:50 p.m. It is closed every second and fourth Sunday of the month. Tickets cost 3 euro and include access to the Boboli gardens. For more information, call +39-055-2388-709.

The Gallery of modern art is located on the second floor. The 30 rooms house paintings from neo-classicism to the 20th century. There are many works by Tuscan painters as well as foreign artists. The Gallery of modern art is open on weekdays from 8:15 a.m. to 1:50 p.m. The museum is closed every second and fourth Sunday of the month, and every first, third and fifth Monday of the month, as well as on certain holidays. Tickets cost euro 5 and give you access to both the Gallery of modern art and the Galleria del Costume. The museum does not take advanced reservations. For more information, call +39-055-2388-601.

Galleria del Costume is an exhibit of clothing worn by the Tuscan grand dukes in the 1700s and 1800s. The opening hours and ticket information is the same as for The Gallery of modern art. The palace is a massive complex of rooms, works of art and gardens. Plan a full day around visiting the palace. Instead of buying separate tickets for each museum, ask for the 3-day pass which will give you access to all of the museums and the Boboli Gardens. The famous Ponte Vecchio with its shops is just a short walk away.

6. Boboli Gardens

The Boboli Gardens are among the most beautiful gardens in Italy, complete with fountains, statues, an amphitheater and, if you make it all the way to the top, spectacular views of the city.

The gardens were designed and built after the Medici family moved to the Pitti Palace around 1550. They begin with the Amphitheater and an ancient obelisk behind the main building. To the left of the palace is La Grotta Grande (The Large Cave) with Michelangelo's Four Prisoners built into the walls of the cave.

The gardens rise towards the top of the hill, passing an 18th century coffeehouse where you can get refreshments. There are several paths to the top, some passing past the Neptune Fountain. There are benches around the lake-like fountain where you can rest. Towering above is the Forte di Belvedere, a scenic point with views of the city. Visitors continue down a path laid with white pebbles, and flanked by cypress trees and classical statues. The path opens up into a large area with an artificial lake and the Little Island (L'Isolotto). There are numerous statues, running water and flowers. One can rest on one of the benches around the lake and take in the classical beauty of the landscaping. The ticket office and the entrance to the Boboli gardens is through the Pitti Palace. The gardens are closed on first and fourth Monday of the month, and certain holidays. The opening hours vary by season. Opening time is around 9 a.m. and closing about one hour before sunset.

7. Ponte Vecchio

After the sun sets, Ponte Vecchio transforms into a meeting place for locals and tourists alike, often alive with music and laughter. During the day, browse boutique jewelery stores along the bridge for their perfect gift for your loved one. The best romantic sunset can be enjoyed from Ponte Santa Trinita, one bridge over from Ponte Vecchio (the Old Bridge). Not as crowded as the Old Bridge, Ponte Santa Trinita offers great views over the river and spectacular views of the Old Bridge itself.

8. The San Lorenzo Church

The San Lorenzo Church, the oldest church in town, dating back to the 4th century, was rebuilt in the beginning of the 15th century by Brunelleschi in Renaissance style. The church has a bare facade because the original designs by Michelangelo were never completed. San Lorenzo houses several important works, including a set of Donatello's Pulpits, Martyrdom of St. Lawrence by Bronzino and the Wedding of the Virgin by Rosso Fiorentino. There is an admission fee. Attached to San Lorenzo is the Canons' Cloister and the Biblioteca Mediceo-Laurenziana. The cloister was added to San Lorenzo in the 15th century and designed by Filippo Brunelleschi. Works on the cloister began around 1420. The cloister has an open-air garden with lemon trees and other plants. On the walls, one finds plaques commemorating various events. The Biblioteca Mediceo-Laurenziana holds ancient manuscripts collected by Cosimo the Elder. The staircase to the entrance of the Biblioteca was designed by Michelangelo. Walls of the entrance room are divided into three sections decorated with double columns. The stairs by Michelangelo can be seen by the public from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. free of charge. Sundays, one can join a free guided tour from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

9. The History of Science Museum

The History of Science Museum houses a collection of about 5,000 original scientific instruments divided into the Medici and the Lorenese collection. Among the items on display are the original Galilean instruments, including telescopes and lenses. There is a hall devoted to showing the origins and historical development of the microscope. Another section shows electrostatic and electromagnetic instruments from the eighteenth century. The museum is open Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. The museum is also open the second Sunday of every month from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and closed during certain holidays.

10. Dante Alighieri's House

Dante Alighieri's House is a museum dedicated to the famous poet's life. He wrote the Divine Comedy during the medieval times, and may have lived in this house. The museum is located in the historic center. It is closed on Tuesdays. For opening times call +39- 055-283-962.