I have always wanted to visit Florence (Firenze) for two reasons – the skyline view of the city with the Duomo from the hilltop and to see the Duomo (the Florence Cathedral) in person. So, when I had an opportunity to be in Rome for a week, I decided to check into the possibility of being able to squeeze Florence into my itinerary. I was not disappointed! And in fact, the fast train (Italo) from Rome to Florence was only about $40 round trip and was a little more than an hour each way!
Epic Things to see in Florence
- The Florence Cathedral Santa maria del Fiori – the Duomo
- Piazza della Signoria
- Ponte Vecchio (Bridge)
- Piazza le Michelangelo
- San Lorenzo Central Market
- Galleria Uffizi and Accademia Gallery of Florence
- Santa Croce and Santa Maria Novella Churches
The Florence Cathedral is spectacular! It was completed in 1434 and is the third largest church in the world. The Dome dominates the skyline but once you get close, you will be equally awed by the sheer size and the facade of the church. It is a mix of pink, white and green marble from Italy and so detailed. It is worth spending time just admiring the outside of the church.
The dome itself is built with over 4 million bricks and weighs over 40,000 tons. The base of it is about the size of a half a football field and it stands over 10 stories high. You can enter the church for free, or if you are willing to book ahead and pay a fee, you can also climb up to the dome. Reservations are mandatory and sold out well in advance. In addition, you can purchase a ticket to view all the monuments that are “part of” the church. The Baptistry, Bell Tower, Crypt and Museum.
The inside of the Cathedral (the free part) is quite simple after being awed by the outside of the church, and it takes a minute to adjust. It is said that the bareness of the church corresponds with the austerity of religious life as preached by Savonarola. It is such a contrast to St Peter’s Basilica in Rome.
Across from the church entrance, don’t miss the set of bronze doors on the Baptistry. The Baptistry itself is a unique building that is octagonal. To the right of the church is also the bell tower. Please note that you must be dressed appropriately to enter the buildings – that means no hats, sandals, sunglasses, shoulders or legs.
Piazza Della Signoria is the site of Palazzo Vecchio, the old city hall, now a museum, a free open-air museum of sculptures and Michelangelo’s famous “David” sculpture. Although the current sculpture is a reproduction as the original one is carefully preserved from the elements in the Accademia Gallery. Still it is amazing to look at and the size itself is impressive. This piazza was historically the political center of Florence.
It is a short walk from the Piazza to the Ponte Vecchio – the famous bridge over the Arno River. This was the only bridge that was not destroyed during WW 11 and is best admired from a distance so that you can see the colorful buildings that have been built on the bridge. Notice above the shops, the passageway with windows that connects the Palazzo Vecchio to the Pitti Place. The bridge itself is lined with jewelry shops but it is still worth a stroll across as an iconic part of this city.
Once across the bridge you can visit the Palazzo Pitti museum and Boboli Gardens and you can walk up to the top of the hill to Piazza Michelangelo. Notice some of the fun street art that pops up along the route.
Piazza Michelangelo offers one of the best views of the city and is worth the climb! This was the number 2 reason I came to this city is for this breathtaking view of the city and the Cathedral below and it did not disappoint!
San Lorenzo Central Market is a 2-story indoor market with fresh produce and local foods. I love to walk around markets and be a local. There was a great little shop downstairs where you could walk up to the window and order several fresh, made to order pasta lunches for only 7 euros. You had to stand to eat but oh- it was delicious! Upstairs there are lots of eateries to enjoy as well as seating so plan to pop in here for lunch as you make your way around the city.
The main museum in Florence is the Uffizi Gallery where you will find “The Birth of Venus”. Leonardo Davinci’s Annunciation and Botticelli’s mythological masterpieces. You must purchase tickets to this museum in advance. The Accademia Gallery of Florence houses Michelangelo’s “David” and several of his other sculptures as well as featuring many other great Italian artists. Many of the works were commissioned by and part of the collection of the Medici family, who donated them for all to enjoy. The museum is closed on Mondays.
The Franciscan Basilica of Santa Croce itself is beautiful but it is also like a museum and contains many centuries of Italian history and preserved works of Italian artists as well as monuments to men such as Michelangelo, Galileo, Machiavelli, Alfieri, Foscolo and Rossini. There is an entrance fee, but the church is a nonprofit organization that has been committed to the upkeep since the 14th century. Outside the church, is the Santa Croce plaza, where I happened upon a Christmas market just waiting to be explored.
Santa Maria Novell Church is located across from the train station, and is, architecturally, one of the most important Gothic churches in Tuscany. The outside is certainly interesting and different. There is an entrance fee as the inside is again more like a museum with many works of art, including works by Masaccio, Ghirlandaio and Giotto.
Overall – Florence is often called the birthplace of the Renaissance. It was historically a very wealthy city because of the trade of textiles, especially wool, and it was also an important banking center. Maybe it was due to the abundance of wealth, but this city is a museum itself, full of art and architectural treasures. The Florence Cathedral itself makes this city epic. The city is walkable, the food fabulous, the leather stores abundant and beautiful. There is so much to see and discover. Don’t miss the city view from Piazza Michelangelo or the cathedral! Happy Travels - Buon Viaggio!
