What to visit in Florence - the most famous monuments
Florence has many important and beautiful monuments that are famous all over the world. Among the most important are:
Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore - the iconic cathedral in the center of the city, with the largest dome in the world designed by Brunelleschi. The construction lasted about 150 years and several architects took turns on it - Filippo Brunelleschi, Arnolfo di Cambio, Francesco Talenti, Emilio De Fabris... Among other things, it is also registered in UNESCO.
Palazzo Vecchio (Old Palace) - a symbol of the power and political influence of the city of Florence, originally the castle of the ruling Medici family, built at the turn of the 13th and 14th centuries. Now here you will find the representative rooms of the town hall and the museum. Palazzo Vecchio can be found in the city center on Piazza Signoria. Just cross to the other side of the square and you can enter:
The Uffizi Gallery - one of the most important art galleries in the world, with a priceless collection of works of art. The works here show a cross-section of artistic creation from Ancient Rome to the period of Romanticism. In addition to paintings and sculptures, we can also find a collection of tapestries here. You can reach the gallery from Piazza Signoria or from the other side of the Arno embankment.
Ponte Vecchio - the oldest and most famous bridge in Florence connecting both banks of the Arno River. The bridge was built in ancient times, but in its present form it was completed in 1345. It originally served as a trade route and the homes of craftsmen and merchants who could sell on the bridge. Later these shops were replaced by gold and jewelery shops.
Basilica di Santa Croce - one of the most important churches in Florence, with a rich collection of works of art by Giotto, Donatello and Michelangelo. Here you will also find the tombs of important personalities such as Michelangelo, Dante Alighieri, Galileo Galilei, Niccolò Machiavelli and many others. The basilica was built in the 13th century in the Gothic style.
Palazzo Pitti - an important palace in Florence that served as the residence of many important figures, including the Medici and Habsburgs. It was built in the 15th century for the Florentine banker Luca Pitti, but was later sold to the Medici family and became the residence of the Grand Dukes of Tuscany. The palace consists of several buildings and you can admire many galleries, museums and art collections here. Highlights include the Palatine Gallery with many famous works of art, including paintings by Botticelli, Titian and Raphael. They also have one of the largest collections of weapons and military artefacts in Italy.
Boboli Gardens - extensive gardens located behind the Palazzo Pitti, with many fountains, statues and impressive views of the city.
These monuments are often very busy, but as icons of Florence, they are definitely worth a visit.
One of the lesser-known but interesting places in Florence is the Pazzi Chapel, a chapel designed by Filippo Brunelleschi, located next to the Basilica of Santa Croce in the center of the city. The chapel is part of the Pazzi family tomb complex and was built in the 15th century in the Renaissance style. It is one of the few buildings that Brunelleschi completed before his death. The interior of the chapel is decorated with frescoes painted by Renaissance artists such as Andrea del Castagno and Luca della Robbia. The chapel is surrounded by a beautiful garden that offers a breathtaking view of the Basilica of Santa Croce. The Pazzi Chapel receives fewer tourists than most of Florence's main tourist attractions, making it the perfect place for those looking for peace and quiet in the heart of the city.