Florence travel
Overview
Florence travel - Florence has been long known as one of Italy's most
beautiful cities, and its ties to the Renaissance are obvious as soon as
one sets foot in the city. Brunelleschi's Duomo is the most apparent
architectural wonder your eyes will meet upon entering the city, a piece
of architecture that becomes more and more beautiful the closer you get
to it. The Duomo is located in the Plaza del Duomo, just southeast of
the train station. The Plaza del Duomo is the beginning of the city's
center that stretches south to the river. This is the main tourist
district, boasting the majority of preserved medieval and renaissance
art and architecture. Florence's center is very compact and could likely
be traversed from one side to the other in just a 30-minute walk.
Historical and Architectural Attractions
A trip to Florence would not be complete without a visit to the Duomo di
Firenze. The beautiful cathedral and dome were designed by Brunelleschi
during Europe's Renaissance, and a statue of Brunelleschi stands in
front of the cathedral looking up at the dome. Another historical and
architectural attraction is the Palazzo Vacchio, once Florence's city
hall. The palace is now a gallery of fine art, and a replica of
Michelangelo's Statue of David stands in front of the building's main
door. In southern Florence you'll find the Ponte Vecchio stretching over
the Arno River, the only bridge in the city that survived the Second
World War. Finally, to see the tombs of such notable figures as Galileo,
Michelangelo, Machiavelli, and Dante, visit the Santa Croce church.
Museum Attractions
If you want to spend a day visiting Florence's many museums, stop by the
tourist office for a museum pass. There are different types of passes
available, and a pass will prevent you from having to pay a cover charge
at every museum you visit. Because of its role as one of the most
artistic cities in Europe, Florence is covered in museums that showcase
both art and history. Some of the city's most notable museums include
Galleria degli Uffizi, Bargello, Accademia, and Museo dell'Opera del
Duomo for art, and Pitti Palace and the Institute and Museum of the
History of Science for history.
Nightlife
While the majority of Florence's big-name department stores are
clustered in the city's center, there are many markets and vendors
throughout Florence that offer much better deals. One notable shopping
district is the Mercato Centrale, located north of the Plaza del Duomo.
Most of the city's dining and drinking establishments are located within
the city's center, offering many worldly cuisines as well as
traditional Italian dishes. Florence is also world-renown for its
signature wines. These can be purchased by the glass at most restaurants
and bars or by the bottle at local wineries.