Piazza del Duomo

 

 

Piazza del Duomo is located right in the heart of Florence. It is one of the most lively and popular spots in all of the city. It is home to some of the most famous pieces of architecture that date back to the Middle Ages. So, if you are in a time crunch you can head to Piazza de Duomo and see multiple historical monuments  in one spot. 

  1. Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore: This is an architectural masterpiece that helped set the tone of the Italian Renaissance. More commonly known as the ‘Duomo’, it is the fourth largest church in the world and one of the main point to see while visiting Florence
  2. The Baptistery of St. John: This historic & religious monument took 70 years to build. Its exterior, similar to its neighboring buildings in the Piazza, is covered in marble. It is one of the most important religious buildings which was dedicated to Saint John the Baptist.
  3. Giotto’s Campanile: The word ‘campanile’ signifies an Italian bell tower. This specific bell tower is going to be a prominent example of Gothic architecture. Its exterior is covered in white, red and green marble and is adjacent to the cathedral. 

Leather Shops & Markets

  1. Mercato Porcellino: This is going to be one of the most popular street markets in Florence. It has clothes, shoes, leather-goods and souvenirs. You find items here that are not expensive and of great quality. Take a stroll through here to see what all the vendors have to offer and see tons of beautiful Italian goods. 
  2. San Lorenzo Outdoor Market: This market is going to consist of two parts. The indoor portion is going to be Mercato Cantrale, which will have all your Italian food needs. The outdoor market is going to be lined with leather, clothing and souvenirs. A great way to get a sense of culture outside of the museums and pick up some cool things!

Ponte Vecchio

This Medieval bridge is one of the most iconic sights in Florence. Having survived floods and wars the history of this bridge is astounding. Now along the bridge you can find shops filled with jewels, art and antique boutiques. Note that these specific shops along the bridge are going to be the more pricey ones. So if you want to save money, wander through Ponte Vecchio and head to the other outdoor markets to actually buy some neat things. 

 

Arno river and Ponte Vecchio

Leather Shops and Markets

  1. Mercato Porcellino: This is going to be one of the most popular street markets in Florence. It has clothes, shoes, leather-goods and souvenirs. You find items here that are not expensive and of great quality. Take a stroll through here to see what all the vendors have to offer and see tons of beautiful Italian goods. 
  2. San Lorenzo Outdoor Market: This market is going to consist of two parts. The indoor portion is going to be Mercato Cantrale, which will have all your Italian food needs. The outdoor market is going to be lined with leather, clothing and souvenirs. A great way to get a sense of culture outside of the museums and pick up some cool things!

Piazza della Signoria

Florence, Italy. Piazza della Signoria square

 

 

Piazza della Signoria is the main square in Florence. Certainly a lively and exciting places it is home to the Palazzo Vecchio, Logia dei Lanzi, Fountain of Neptune and Equestrian Monument of Cosimo I. You will find locals and tourists enjoying this fun environment. Artists fill the Piazza, using it as their stage

Boboli Gardens

Don’t let the word garden fool you! The boboli gardens are more an example of an open air museum. Filled with century old Oak trees, fountains and sculptures it is a magnificent spot. A walk through this garden will make you feel calm and refreshed after a busy day of travels

The Uffizi

The Uffizi museum is home to some of the most important collections of paintings in the world. It hosts art work from renowned Italian artists such as Botticelli, Giotto, Michelangelo Leonardo de Vinci and much more. The museum contains work from various centuries but mainly is home to art from the 12th and 17th centuries. It is located close to the Pont Vecchio, an important historical bridge and popular spot in Florence.

Uffizi Gallery in Florence under a blue sky with clouds, panorama

Accademia Gallery

The Accademia Gallery is very popular due to being host to the marvelous statue of David. Many pieces of art here were once part of the collection of the Medici family. They were then donated to the Grand Duchy of Tuscany so their beauty and influence could be observed by everyone. 

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