Florence Must Visits
Author: Accademia Europea di Firenze
The most famous site and crowning architectural jewel of Florence
is the domed cathedral, Santa Maria del Fiore, known as The
Duomo. The glorious dome was built by Filippo Brunelleschi. The
nearby Campanile tower (partly designed by Giotto) and the
Baptistery buildings are also tourist attractions.
Bartolomeo Ammanati's Fountain of Neptune, can be found in at
the heart of the city in Piazza della Signoria at the terminus of
a still working Roman aqueduct.
The Arno river, played an important role in Florentine history.
The River goes through the old part of the city. Historically,
the inhabitants have had a love-hate relationship with the Arno
-- which switched from helping the city's commerce, and flooding
it.
One of the Florentine bridges is particularly speciale -- The
Ponte Vecchio (Old Bridge), whose most remarkable trait is the
number of stores built on its edges, held up by stilts. The
bridge also carried Vasari's elevated corridor connecting the
Uffizi to the Medici residence (Palazzo Pitti). First built by
the Etruscans in ancient times, this is the only bridge in the
city to have survived World War II intact.
The San Lorenzo includes the Medici Chapel, the mausoleum of the
Medici family - the most powerful family in Florence from the
15th to the 18th century. Nearby is the Uffizi Gallery, one of
the finest art galleries in the world - founded on a large legacy
from the last member of the Medici family.
The Uffizi is located on the corner of Piazza della Signoria, a
place important for many reasons:
In 1301, it was where Dante was sent into Exile (a sign on a
wall of the Uffizi celebrates the event). - In 1497, it was the
location of the Bonfire of the Vanities (a sign in the middle of
the plaza celebrates that happening), followed in 1498 by the
execution of its leader, Girolamo Savonarola - In 1504, it was
the original location of Michelangelo's David (now replaced by a
replica, the original was moved indoors to the Accademia
dell'Arte del Disegno), in front of the Palazzo della Signoria
(also known as Palazzo Vecchio).
Florence has other world-class museums in addition to the
Uffizi:
The Bargello focuses on sculpture, containing many priceless
works of art created by sculptors like Donatello, Giambologna,
and Michelangelo.
The Accademia dell'Arte del Disegno, the highlights of the
collection is Michelangelo's David and his unfinished
"Slaves".
Across the Arno is the giant Pitti Palace containing part of the
Medici family's previous private collection. In addition to the
Medici collection the palace's galleries contain a large number
of Renaissance works, including several by Raphael and Titian as
well as a large collection of modern art, costumes, cattiages,
and porcelain. Next to the Palace are the Boboli Gardens,
ornately landscaped and with many fascinating sculptures.
The sophisticated Santa Croce church withholds the monumental
tombs of Galileo, Michelangelo, Machiavelli, Dante's cenotaph,
and many others.
Other important basilicas in Florence include Santa Maria
Novella, San Lorenzo, Santo Spirito and the Orsanmichele.
Other interesting points
Institute and Museum of the History of Science, Museo di Storia
Naturale di Firenze, Orto Botanico di Firenze, Palazzo Medici
Riccardi
About the author:
Accademia
Europea di Firenze is an Italian language,
Music, Art and Culture School located in the very heart of
Florence.
|
