Whether you are a tourist or a resident of Florence, there are several beautiful places to see and enjoy while in the city. These places include the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, the Piazzale Michelangelo, the Bardini Gardens, and Mercato Centrale.
Piazzale Michelangelo
Known for its beautiful panoramic views of Florence, Piazzale Michelangelo is one of the most popular tourist spots in Florence. A popular attraction for locals and tourists, this scenic overlook is the perfect place to enjoy the sunset.
Piazzale Michelangelo is a terrace on the south bank of the River Arno. It was constructed in the late 1800s by Italian architect Giuseppe Poggi. His original plan was to create a museum of the works of Michelangelo. He also wanted to build a shrine to Michelangelo.
When Florence became the capital of Italy in 1865, Giuseppe Poggi had the task of redeveloping the southern part of the Arno hills. The terrace that he created was neoclassical in style. He also designed the inscription that reads "Giuseppe Poggi, Florentine architect."
Piazzale Michelangelo features a bronze replica of Michelangelo's David. The original marble statue was created by Michelangelo in 1504 and moved to the Fine Arts Academy Museum in the 19th century. The bronze replica was created by Angelo Brozzi in 1864.
Piazzale Michelangelo offers excellent views of the Florence skyline, Ponte Vecchio, and the surrounding Tuscan hills. The terrace is a popular spot for photo shoots and outdoor dining. The area is also full of restaurants, cafes, and hostels.
Piazzale Michelangelo also offers fantastic nighttime views. The area is full of restaurants and nightclubs with music. If you're looking for a more budget-friendly option, you may want to check out Casa Buonarroti. It is located on the corner of Via Ghibellina and Via Buonarroti. It is a short walk from the Bardini Museum, which features great ceramics by Della Robbia.
Santa Maria del Fiore
Located in the heart of Florence, the Santa Maria del Fiore Cathedral is one of the city's most beautiful landmarks. This church is dedicated to the Virgin of the Flower. It is the third-largest church in Europe. It was originally built on a dilapidated Santa-Reparata church.
The building has a unique shape, with a dome atop the tower. The dome was built in 1420 by Filippo Brunelleschi. The dome is one of the most renowned domes in the world.
Climbing the Duomo is a great way to get a close view of the city. This experience is especially suited for tourists. You must be prepared for a few hundred steps to get to the top. The interior of the Duomo is quite austere, but it contains many beautiful and intriguing pieces of art.
The dome contains a cone-shaped hole where the sun's rays shine through. The ceiling painting is also beautiful. The dome is 114.5 meters high. There are two apses at each end, separated by two sacristies. There are two altars in each apse.
The interior of the Baptistory is also quite colorful and beautiful. The doors are made of bronze. They depict detailed Bible stories. They also feature mosaics by Niccolo Barbino. These mosaics represent Florentine merchants and philanthropic institutions.
You can also take a guided tour to see all parts of the cathedral. The tour is a bit more expensive, but you can get a close look at the dome.
Bardini Gardens
Located on the hill of Montecuccoli, Bardini Gardens are the perfect way to relax and rejuvenate your soul in the heart of Florence. They are an ideal green spot to enjoy beautiful panoramic views of the city.
This unique garden features three distinct garden styles: Italian, Anglo-Chinese and English. The garden has been owned by rich families since the Middle Ages. In the early twentieth century, Stefano Bardini, a famous art dealer, purchased the garden and villa. He made it into one of the most impressive Italian gardens in the world. He changed the garden and added a rustic grotto.
In addition to a museum, the garden is home to a cafe and a large public swimming pool. It is a popular destination for visitors and events. There are also sports fields at either end of the park. There are also large open lawns and avenues for cycling.
There are also permanent collections of sculptures, musical instruments and architectural fragments. The museum is open daily from 10 am to 7 pm. In addition, there are regular events such as the Sciltian exhibition. It is also possible to purchase a combo ticket for the Boboli Gardens and Bardini Garden.
There is a secondary entrance in Via dei Bardi 1/r. This entrance is close to the Ponte alle Grazie. There is free parking near Villa Bardini.
The Bardini garden is open all year round. The best time to visit is in the spring. The garden is full of architectural treasures and spring colors. The garden has several fountains and beautiful statues. The garden features the famous wisteria canopy.
Cathedral of Saint Mar of the Flower
Known as the Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore, the Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Flower is one of the most attractive landmarks in Florence. The Gothic Cathedral was built over seven centuries and is a symbol of the city. There are many different arches and ogival windows that make the interior quite beautiful.
The Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Flower is built on top of the ruins of an ancient Roman temple. The dome is a support-free dome, meaning it was built without any kind of supporting framework. The dome was designed by Filippo Brunelleschi, a famous Renaissance architect.
The interior of the Florence Cathedral is decorated in neo-Gothic style. It has a polychrome marble floor and pointed vaults. There are many different sculptures and paintings on the walls.
The ceiling is decorated with frescoes that depict scenes of the Last Judgment. The rose windows are made of stained glass by Lorenzo Ghiberti. The high altar has a crucifix made by Benedetto da Maiano.
There are three naves in the cathedral. Each aisle is divided into several chapels. There are also a number of altarpieces on the choir. The south apse features a painting of the Madonna del Popolo. The north apse has a double-sided retablo.
There are two sacristies that separate the three apses. Each apse is surrounded by a balcony on corbels. The bell tower is square with niches.
Mercato Nuovo
Mercato Nuovo, also known as the New Market, is a market located in the historic center of Florence. It was constructed in the mid-16th century to accommodate the silk trade. Today it is also a popular tourist attraction.
Visitors can walk through the market and purchase handcrafted items. There are several stalls selling fruits, vegetables, meat, cheese and gelato. There are also shops selling luxury goods. There is also an artisan gelato stall where you can see how gelato is made.
Visitors can also take a guided walking tour of the market. These tours include an outdoor market as well as an indoor market. You can also visit the Accademia Gallery, which contains works by Michelangelo. You can also visit the Medici Museum, which features works from the Medici dynasty. You can also visit the Church of San Lorenzo, which has a Renaissance splendor interior.
Mercato Nuovo is located near the Ponte Vecchio and Palazzo Vecchio. It is also close to the San Lorenzo Basilica and Piazza della Repubblica. It is always busy with locals and tourists.
The market is a great place to watch the daily activities of locals. You can also watch the bread being made. There are also shops selling leather and silver work, as well as decorative papers. Some of the best artists in Florence specialize in leather bookbinding, silver work, and gilding.
If you are looking for a place to eat, there is a stand selling traditional Florentine sandwiches. There is also a stall selling gelato and chocolates.
Mercato Centrale
Mercato Centrale is one of the most popular attractions in Florence. The market is a popular destination for tourists and locals alike. It offers a wide variety of products and services.
The market is open Monday through Friday from 7am to 2pm. The market is closed on Sundays and holidays.
The outdoor area is home to many souvenirs, clothing, leather goods, and pottery. It's also home to a variety of food vendors.
The market has two floors: the ground floor is home to meats, fishmongers, and produce. The second floor is home to a food hall and a variety of restaurants.
If you are looking for something to eat while in Florence, you should visit Mercato Centrale. It's a popular location for lunch and dinner. The market is also home to restaurants specializing in local food, sushi, and international cuisine. You can also order a glass of wine or craft beer.
The market is also home to La Scuola di Cucina Lorenzo de Medici, one of the city's most popular cooking schools. The school offers classes several times a week. The school also sells cookbooks and organic food.
If you're looking for a restaurant, you should check out the Da Nerbone restaurant, which is located on the top floor of the market. It serves the traditional Florentine sandwich lampredotto.
The market is one of the best places to buy souvenirs and gifts. It's also a great place to take a break from sightseeing. You can find a wide variety of products to take home, including cured meats, olive oils, and other specialty items. The products are crafted in a variety of ways, bringing together old Italian cultural traditions and modern production methods.
