{"id":671669,"date":"2022-07-25T19:17:00","date_gmt":"2022-07-25T16:17:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tourism.com.de\/?p=671669"},"modified":"2024-04-21T03:22:34","modified_gmt":"2024-04-21T00:22:34","slug":"sights-of-florence-25-most-interesting-places","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tourism.com.de\/en\/sights-of-florence-25-most-interesting-places\/","title":{"rendered":"Sights of Florence – 25 most interesting places"},"content":{"rendered":"

In the 1st century BC, retired Roman legionnaires founded a settlement and named it “Florence”, which means “Blossoming” in translation. After 5 centuries, the settlement turned into a city<\/a> of merchants and artisans, which was destined for an amazing fate. The Florentine Republic was repeatedly conquered, plague epidemics almost completely destroyed its population, hostilities, natural disasters destroyed buildings and monuments, but it was reborn from ruins. The city<\/a> became the birthplace of outstanding artists, sculptors, poets, writers, scientists, thinkers, politicians of the Renaissance. It also attracted famous figures of Russian culture: Herzen, Dostoevsky, Tchaikovsky, Tolstoy, Tarkovsky, for whom ancient monuments, medieval palaces, ancient temples became sources of inspiration. The sights<\/a> of Florence have been and remain the hallmarks of Italy<\/a>. For centuries, the city has retained the status of an economic, tour<\/a>ist, industrial center<\/a>, the glory of one of the capitals of world<\/a> fashion.<\/p>\n

Basilica of Santa Croce<\/h2>\n

\"Sights<\/a><\/p>\n

The basilica is located in the very center<\/a> of the city on the square of the same name. This is a huge building of extraordinary beauty. Translated into Russian, the name means “holy cross”. That is why it has the shape of an Egypt<\/a>ian cross. Many famous people of Italy<\/a> who lived and worked in this country are buried here. The temple<\/a> is very large.<\/p>\n

Inside<\/a> there are paintings, frescoes and sculptures by famous masters. Incredibly beautiful monuments to Galileo Galilei, Michelangelo, Niccol\u00f2 Macchiavelli were erected along the walls of the basilica. Outside there is a cozy and beautiful courtyard with sculptures and vegetation. Here is a monument to the great Dante Alighieri. The entrance to the basilica is paid. Access for tourists<\/a> opens at 9.30 am. The price of a visit is about 8 euros. The price also includes a visit to the museum at the temple. It is forbidden to visit the basilica with bare hands and feet.<\/p>\n

\u0417\u0430\u0431\u0440\u043e\u043d\u0438\u0440\u0443\u0439\u0442\u0435 \u0438\u043d\u0434\u0438\u0432\u0438\u0434\u0443\u0430\u043b\u044c\u043d\u044b\u0439 \u0442\u0440\u0430\u043d\u0441\u0444\u0435\u0440 \u043e\u0442 \u0430\u044d\u0440\u043e\u043f\u043e\u0440\u0442\u0430 \u0434\u043e \u0432\u0430\u0448\u0435\u0433\u043e \u043e\u0442\u0435\u043b\u044f \u0437\u0430 4 925 RUB<\/a><\/p>\n

If your clothes do not comply with the rules, you can purchase a special scar<\/a>f here. Photo<\/a>graphy is allowed inside the temple, however, it is a little dark inside, which makes it difficult to take pictures. The best way to get to the Basilica of Santa Croce is on foot. The streets of the city are too small for a large number of tour<\/a>ists in cars. For those who are afraid of getting lost, you can book a bus tour<\/a>. It will cost about 20 euros per person.<\/p>\n

Uffizi Gallery<\/h2>\n

\"Sights<\/a><\/p>\n

The Uffizi Gallery is famous all over the world. Here are collected unique<\/a> and beautiful masterpieces of painting. The paintings of Leonard da Vinci, Raphael, Titian take us back hundreds of years. Monuments-sculptures rise in the courtyard of the gallery. On the first floor of the building there are temporary exhibitions, on the second – the main expositions. All the paintings are perfectly preserved, despite their many years of history<\/a>. The ceiling of the museum is striking in its magnificence. It is decorated with antique moldings and frescoes depicting saints, angels and famous people. To get inside without long queues, it is better to arrive an hour before opening. And if you have a rest<\/a> at the height of the sea<\/a>son, then two.<\/p>\n

Tickets can be purchased in advance online. If you intend to stand in a live queue, then the entrance to the ticket office is on the right side of the building. Photo<\/a>graphy is allowed in the gallery. For the convenience of visitors, there is a buffet in the building. Getting to the gallery is easy. It is located 10 minutes walk from the train<\/a> station.<\/p>\n

Belfry of Giotto<\/h2>\n

\"Sights<\/a><\/p>\n

A high tower rises above the houses and buildings of Florence. Its height reaches 85 meters. This is just below the very dome of the Cathedral<\/a> of Santa Maria del Fiori, which is located<\/a> next door. The ascent to the bell tower is not easy. The journey takes about 15 minutes along a steep narrow staircase of 414 steps. There is little light and a little stuffy. But the view that opens with Giotto justifies all expectations and the expended energy. The bright roofs of Florentine houses and the greenery of the hills, gradually turning into the horizon.<\/p>\n

Right in front of your eyes there is a huge dome of the cathedral. The site provides an opportunity not only to admire the landscapes around, but also to consider the building of Santa Maria del Fliori. Florence from a bird's eye view is an incredible sight. However, such an excursion<\/a> should be abandoned for people who are afraid of heights or have diseas<\/a>es that make it difficult to climb the bell tower.<\/p>\n

Entrance to the observation deck of the tower is paid. A cheaper option is a combined ticket. So you can visit two observation platforms at once: the bell towers of Giotto and the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiori, as well as the Baptistery, the crypt of St. Reperat and the Historical Museum. During religious holidays<\/a>, access to the tower is closed.<\/p>\n

Palazzo Vecchio<\/h2>\n

\"Sights<\/a><\/p>\n

Palazzo Vecchio was the building of government several millennia ago. Now it is the town hall building, which is the main attraction of Signori Square. The Italians consider the building a symbol of the city. The town hall consists of three tiers, at the very top is a jagged crown. The vaults of the building are decorated with 9 coats of arms of the guilds of the republics. The famous Arnolfo clock tower rises into the sky above the structure. Residents have been checking the time by its clock since the 17th century. In the 15th century the tower served as a prison. Here were in custody objectionable to the royal power and instigators of coups.<\/p>\n

The interior of the palace<\/a> is beautiful. Stone courtyards, chiseled statues, a painted ceiling and incredible columns. All this luxury is complemented by greenery and subdued light. On the walls of the courtyard you can see the views of the old cities<\/a> of Austria<\/a>-Hungary. The sculptural ensemble Genius, which was created by Michelangelo, is an adornment of the Hall of Five Hundred. The ceiling of the Hall of Lilies is covered with incredibly beautiful stucco molding depicting honeycombs and flowers.<\/p>\n

Palazzo Vecchio is also located in the center, so finding it will not be a problem. It accepts tourists<\/a> from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. every day except Saturday. On Thursday, the Palazzo is open until 14:00.<\/p>\n

Palazzo Pitti<\/h2>\n

\"Sights<\/a><\/p>\n

Palazzo Pitti is one of the most beautiful palaces in the city. Previously, royal dynasties lived here. Today, these are museums and art galleries, which store sculptures, precious items and paintings by famous artists. The area<\/a> in front of the Palazzo is already attracting tourists with its interest<\/a>ing sculptures in the form of huge faces. The building itself is made in the form of a cube, and in the center there is a beautiful round fountain with small cupids. The second floor of the building is occupied by a gallery, rich in its decoration.<\/p>\n

It consists of several halls: Venus, Jupiter, Apollo, Mars and Saturn. In Palazzo Pitti you can visit the Gallery of Modern Art, the Silver Museum and the Carriage Museum. Taking pictures in the halls of the palace is strictly prohibited. However, no one forbids shooting gorgeous views of the city and gardens from the windows. If you come to the box office of Palazzo Pitti early in the morning, you can easily get on the tour without standing in a long line. The activity of tourists here increases after 12 noon.<\/p>\n

You can get to the palace by bus<\/a> number 11 or 36 to the San Felice stop.<\/p>\n

Ponte Vecchio Bridge<\/a><\/h2>\n

\"Sights<\/a><\/p>\n

The Palazzo Pitti, the Uffizi Gallery and the Palazzo Vecchio are connected by a 750 meter corridor passing through the Ponte Vecchio bridge. The entrance to the building is closed, and the key to it is kept by Roberto Zanieri. The building is also called the “Golden Bridge” because of the large number of jewelry stores that were previously located on it. The bridge passes through the narrowest point of the Arno River. This is a very picturesque and romantic place in the city. Ponte Vecchio is the oldest bridge in the city. Its appearance has changed over the years. Wooden buildings and butcher shops were replaced by jewelry stores.<\/p>\n

Now there are modern boutiques and shopping<\/a> stalls. However, the spirit of antiquity still reigns on Ponte Vecchio. This bridge is the only one that survived after the war. All other route<\/a>s across the rivers were blown up. The terrible flood that ruined all the jewelry stores and flooded the houses located on the bridge, Ponte Vecchio also withstood. The main bridge is always filled with tourists, so it is very difficult to take pictures of the beauties. But it is possible to admire them.<\/p>\n

The observation decks offer a beautiful view of the river and the city. In the evenings, street musicians like to gather here. Residents call the bridge a “tragedy for men.” A huge number of jewelry stores makes tourists leave with shopping<\/a> for their wives. Here you can find unique products made of glass, stone, wood and metal. The bridge is open to tourists for free. It is located in the center, next to Palazzo Pitti and the Uffizi Gallery.<\/p>\n

Santa Maria del Fiore<\/h2>\n

\"Sights<\/a><\/p>\n

The cathedral with the largest dome in the world is called the heart of the city. Another very popular attraction in the city. It is located on the main square of the city – the Duomo. Its name translates as “the flower of St. Mary.” The second name of the cathedral is the same name of the square – Duomo. A building of incredible size, in the shape of a Latin cross. The cathedral impresses with its grandeur and luxury. Its decoration combines 3 shades of marble: white, pink and green.<\/p>\n

The facade of Santa Maria del Fiore is decorated with a statue<\/a> of the Virgin Mary with a baby in her arms and a lily flower. On both sides of the sculpture are statues of 12 apostles. The huge dome of the cathedral is made of red brick. It can be seen from afar, so tourists quickly find the attraction. The weight of the dome is 37 thousa<\/a>nd tons. Inside Santa Maria del Fiore is no less interesting<\/a>. Its architecture combines rigor and grandeur at the same time.<\/p>\n

Frescoes, sculptures and glass paintings are modest, but no less beautiful. The dome near the altar is painted with scenes from the Bible. Residents say that the decoration of the cathedral should not distract people from talking with God. Therefore, inside the Duomo is modestly decorated. Above, from the observation deck you can see<\/a> all of Florence, available to the eye. A splendid view of the city is distracted only by Giotto's Belfry. Here you can see it up close. It's always a crowded place.<\/p>\n

The queues for the cathedral are always long. However, tours<\/a> are skipped without a queue. Santa Maria del Fiore is open from 10 am to 5 pm on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday. Entrance to the Duomo is free, only the ascent to the dome is paid. It costs 6 euros, as well as a visit to the museum. A complex ticket for the ascent to the dome, the museum, the cemetery and the excavations of Santa Reparata costs 8 euros. There are free guided tours<\/a> every day at certain hours. Hours must be corrected locally.<\/p>\n

Basilica of Santa Maria Novella<\/h2>\n

\"Sights<\/a><\/p>\n

This name is given to the church, which is located next to the railway station on the square of the same name. If you arrived by train and continue on foot, then the temple is the first thing that catches your eye. Santa Maria Novella was built for the Rucellai family, which is why their coat of arms is emblazoned on the church. The temple has collected a large number of magnificent creations. In it you can see the tomb of Bishop Fiesole, the monument to Blessed Villana, the bust of St. Antonin.<\/p>\n

Inside the building is very beautiful, decorated with columns and arches. Not luxurious, but interesting and cozy. The beautiful ceiling of the temple is framed with marble. There are large paintings on the walls. Wooden benches, several statues of Jesus Christ and the Virgin Mary. The church is widely known to tourists because of its wonderful sculptures, stained glass windows and frescoes. Each of which has its own meaning and meaning. The altar in Santa Maria Novella is considered one of the most beautiful in the city. The chapels of the temple are decorated with frescoes by famous Italian masters.<\/p>\n

A special place is occupied by the inner courtyard of the church. He is very handsome and comfortable. It is located in the middle between the bustle of the city and church life. The courtyard is surrounded by greenery, columns and galleries. Its walls are decorated with paintings with biblical scenes and chic frescoes. Near the temple there is a famous old pharmacy. It is not part<\/a> of it, but is located on the territory of Santa Maria Novella.
\nFinding a church is not difficult.<\/p>\n

Basilica of San Lorenzo<\/h2>\n

\"Sights<\/a><\/p>\n

The first mention of the church was as early as 393 AD. The basilica was built and changed over many centuries. Until the great Michelangelo Buonarroti became the architect of the temple in 1520. The church serves as a burial place for members of noble Florentine families. Michelangelo did something unprecedented at the time. He placed the tombs not in the center, as everyone did, but along the entire perimeter, along the walls. The famous master never finished the facade of the basilica.<\/p>\n

He could not find a common language with Pope Leo X of the Medici, who commissioned Michelangelo to work. The Basilica of San Lorenzo, unlike other temples, does not particularly attract the eye from the outside. However, getting inside, you don't want to leave it for a long time. High columns in an even formation reach for the altar. A beautiful pattern on the floor is itself a work of art of great masters of their craft. The building of the Old Sacristy Basilica is decorated with ancient frescoes and bas-reliefs. The author of many works in it is Donatello. In the New Sacristy are the sarcophagi of the Dukes of the Medici.<\/p>\n

The sculptures were made by Michelangelo. The second largest dome in Florence<\/a> is crowned by the church of San Lorenzo. It is located in the Chapel of the Princes. The dome is decorated with stunning frescoes with scenes from the bible and images of coats of arms.<\/p>\n

The library is also located here. It contains old editions of books and manuscripts. The basilica is located in St. Lawrence Square.<\/p>\n

Baptistery of San Giovanni<\/h2>\n

\"Sights<\/a><\/p>\n

The baptistery is part of the complex of the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Flore. This is an old place for baptism. Many noble people, including those from the Medici family, adopted Christianity here. The font is the oldest of all the buildings on Duomo Square. The baptistery is impressive. This is because the people who accepted Christianity at that time were already adults. The building has eight corners and is topped with a dome. Each corner represents a day of the week. The baptismal has several doors to facilitate the flow of people into such a small building during religious holidays<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Inside the baptistery is painted with beautiful scenes depicting saints. The bas-reliefs that adorn the gates of the building were made by famous craftsmen. The most luxurious creation of San Giovanni is called the “Gates of Paradise”. The eastern gate of the baptistery is decorated with 10 bas-reliefs. Each of them depicts stories from the Bible. The place near the font is quite crowded.<\/p>\n

This is due to the location of other attractions<\/a> nearby. There are a lot of tourists here during the high sea<\/a>son. The baptistery is located in Duomo Square, near the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Flora. You will find it easily, focusing on the huge dome of the church and Giotto's bell tower.<\/p>\n

Academy Gallery<\/h2>\n

\"Sights<\/a><\/p>\n

The Accademia Gallery is known not only in Italy<\/a>, but also abroad. This is a well-known museum with a long history<\/a> and numerous exhibits. The Academy is called an authoritative educational institution. And the Gallery's collection is recognized as one of the most valuable in the world. Here are collected the works of such masters as Michelangelo Buonarroti, Giambologni, Andrea Orcagna, Fra Bartolomeo. Here in 1873 a huge statue of David, made of marble, was moved. She stood for many years in the square in front of the Palazzo Vecchio, and suffered from the weather<\/a> and vandalism.<\/p>\n

So far, a hall has not been built in the Gallery specifically for sculpture. Later, 6 more creations by Michelangelo were moved to the museum. Paintings of the 14th century were collected from many churches in the city. A collection of paintings in the Gothic style, plaster models, Gothic altarpieces – all this you can see in the Academy Gallery. Getting to the museum is easy.<\/p>\n

The gallery is located next to the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Flore, in the central part of the city. Buses number 6, 14, 19, 31 go there.<\/p>\n

Medici Chapel<\/h2>\n

\"Sights<\/a><\/p>\n

The Medici Chapel is located at the church of San Lorenzo in the square of the same name. The architect of the project was the great Michelangelo Buonarroti. The chapel is called one of his best creations. This building is small in size, elongated upwards. Here everything carries the theme of death. The dead are buried in this place. Inside the chapel you can see the famous statue of the Madonna and Child. The sculptures made by Michelangelo in the chapel made him famous all over the world. Figures of Days: “Morning”, “Day”, “Evening” and “Night”. They are filled with power and tragedy.<\/p>\n

Sculptures make an incredible impression on visitors. You can get to the Capella by bus number 1C to the San Lorenzo stop. The chapel is closed on major religious holidays<\/a>, as well as every odd Monday of the month and every even Sunday.<\/p>\n

Monastery and Church of San Marco<\/h2>\n

\"Sights<\/a><\/p>\n

It is generally accepted that the monastery was founded in the 13th century, but in its place there were previously Christian places<\/a> of worship. Centuries later, the church, residential buildings, and outbuildings turned out (under strange circumstances) to be the property of the well-known oligarchic Medici family, whose representative handed over the buildings to the Dominican monks. This story was not without controversy.<\/p>\n

The richest Florentine families owned the plots of the temple and over the centuries invested in the repair of the chapels “assigned to them”. The Medici donated fabulous sums for the reconstruction of the church and neighboring buildings. Representatives of the dynasty controlled all restoration work, and as a result, the monastery buildings were decorated only with symbols of this kind.<\/p>\n

Currently, the architectural complex is a museum. San Marco is known as a collection of unique handwritten, printed books (many of which belonged to the Medici family). Its library contains the works of ancient philosophers, monastic charters, the works of Thomas Aquinas and Augustine the Blessed. The museum houses the works of outstanding Renaissance masters, in its halls you can see the creations of Beato Angelico canonized, famous for<\/a> his temple frescoes by Benozzo Gozzoli, the founder of the famous dynasty of artists Domenico Ghirlandaio.<\/p>\n

Bargello Museum<\/h2>\n

\"Sights<\/a><\/p>\n

The National Museum is housed in the Bargello Palace. Over the past centuries, the building managed to be the residence of the head of administration, the building for the meeting of the city council, the barracks, the prison, the place of execution of convicts, the police department, and the museum of sculpture. The construction of the Bargello dates back to the middle of the 13th century; originally the castle<\/a> was two-story.<\/p>\n

In the XIV century, after a fire, the palace was repaired, significant changes were made to its exterior, and the third floor was completed. Later, the building was repeatedly restored, an elevator was equipped in it, and conditions were created for visiting the premises by the disabled. The National Museum of Bargello (the name of the building in translation means: “tower”, “castle<\/a>“, “head of the guard”, “judge”) contains famous Italian relics created by Renaissance masters, including Michelangelo, Donatello, Cellini, Sangallo.<\/p>\n

In the exhibition halls there are statues, bas-reliefs, commemorative medals, decorative elements of buildings destroyed in the 19th century. The re-planning of the city that took place at that time is comparable in its consequences to a cultural catastrophe! In order to make the streets wider and more comfortable, the authorities decided to demolish unique buildings, temples, whose splendor can be judged today by the museum exhibits.<\/p>\n

Dante Alighieri House Museum<\/h2>\n

\"Sights<\/a><\/p>\n

An inconspicuous three-story building in the old Florentine quarter attracts tourists from all over the world. The history<\/a> of this building was not without hoaxes and the desire of the townspeople to pass off the wishful thinking. From the real house of the greatest Italian poet, only the foundation remained. The current walls of the building were erected at the beginning of the 20th century. The Florentines literally bit by bit were able to recreate on the second floor the interior of the rooms where Dante could live, the atmosphere that reigned in the house of a genius.<\/p>\n

Involvement in political intrigues did not bring him happiness, he served as a prior, was expelled from his native city, wandered around Europe<\/a>, returned to Italy, settled in Ravenna, became an ambassador and died before he could complete a diplomatic mission. The poet's muse – Beatrice – lived near the place where the house-museum of Dante is located. The thinker's platonic love for a woman, whom he saw several times in his life, turned out to be stronger than logic, common sense, death, inexorable time.<\/p>\n

The invented ideal inspired Dante to create the famous poem “The Divine Comedy”, numerous sonnets, and poems. Copies of lifetime editions of works dedicated to Beatrice are located on the top floor of the museum. The lower part of the building is a recreated pharmacy premises. Noble origin, the merits of ancestors did not automatically mean that the inhabitants of the Florentine Republic belonged to full-fledged citizens. In order to be among the second and enjoy privileges, the poet joined the guild of pharmacists and could become (fate otherwise) an outstanding pharmacist.<\/p>\n

Palazzo Medici Riccardi<\/h2>\n

\"Sights<\/a><\/p>\n

\nThe three-story palace looks like a building that belonged to the aristocratic Strozzi dynasty, but the second palazzo was built later. The double name of the monument of history<\/a>, architecture reminds of the famous families, whose property it was: the Medici and Riccardi. Today, the three-story building houses a public library. Its funds contain biblical manuscripts, copies of the works of ancient philosophers, politicians and thinkers of the Renaissance. The exterior design of the palace is strict and ascetic, while the interior strikes with luxury and well-thought-out harmonious layout.<\/p>\n

The visiting card of the palazzo is recognized as a statue by Bandinelli, in the creation of which the contemporaries of the master saw political overtones. The sculptor captured the myth of Orpheus pacifying the dog Cerberus, guarding the entrance to the world of the dead. The similarity between the face of the legendary musician and lifetime portraits of power-hungry representatives of the Medici dynasty is noticeable even to people far from art. The same can be said about another palace relic – the statue of the Madonna and Child (sculptor: monk, adventurer, brilliant master of the Renaissance Filippo Lippi). The eastern part of the palace is occupied by a small family chapel. On her frescoes (works by the famous Italian artist Gozzoli) in the images of saints, biblical characters, it is also easy to guess the portrait resemblance to the Medici.<\/p>\n

Piazza Michelangelo<\/h2>\n

\"Sights<\/a><\/p>\n

\nOne of the main city attractions<\/a>, business cards of Florence is located on a hilltop. The reason for the construction of the square was the reconstruction work on the left bank of the Arno River. It was originally planned that it would become part of a single architectural complex. There was an idea to place a museum dedicated to the work of Michelangelo in a special pavilion. It was not carried out, and the building today houses a restaurant.<\/p>\n

A magnificent alley leads to the square, whose total length is 8 kilometers. A bronze copy of the statue of David, created by Michelangelo, was installed and opened on the square in 1873. At the foot of the biblical character, no less famous sculptures of allegories are placed. 4 symbolic figures personify morning, evening, day, night. These are copies of sculptures – the originals are in the Basilica of San Larenzo and adorn the covers of the Medici family sarcophagi. Today, part of the square is occupied by car parking. For those who want to admire the city from above, there is an observation deck nearby, which is part of a special tourist zone.<\/p>\n

Signoria Square<\/h2>\n

\"Sights<\/a><\/p>\n

There are squares with a similar name in other Italian cities<\/a>: Padua and Verona. Historians say: originally there was an ancient theater on the site of the Florentine square, later 36 towers belonging to the powerful Uberti dynasty appeared here. Representatives of this genus perished in medieval internecine wars, and structures suffered a similar fate. The construction of the Senoria Palace, located on the square, dates back to the 13th-14th centuries. Conventionally, both architectural and historical monuments are considered the same age, but the difference in the dates of the foundation of the building and the square reaches 40 years. Once upon a time, political life was seething in this part of the city, meetings of citizens, executions of conspirators and heretics were held in the palace and on the territory adjacent to it.<\/p>\n

The main sights<\/a> of the square are ancient, medieval sculptures that form a single harmonious allegorical cycle. Some of the figures are placed on a special loggia: a structure intended for public events (more modest in size galleries in Italy served as places for walking<\/a>, resting for aristocrats). On the square you can see copies of the works of Donatello and Michelangelo, original statues created by Bandinelli, Cellini, Giambologna, Fedi, Ammanati. In guidebooks, it is often compared to an open-air museum, where different eras are inextricably intertwined.<\/p>\n

Vasari Corridor<\/h2>\n

\"Sights<\/a><\/p>\n

The corridor connecting Palazzo Pitti in Piazza della Signoria with the Boboli Gardens is named after the architect Giorgio Vasari. It was built as a secret passage by order of Cosimo Medici in 1565. The total length of the gallery was 1 km. In the 19th century, it housed paintings in the genre of self-portrait, depicting the famous Italian artists Titian, Raphael, Bernini and others. The collection currently includes approximately 1,000 paintings from the 13th to 17th centuries. The gallery is closed to the general public.
\nInspection requires prior arrangement. Tours<\/a> are held from 9.30 (Tue-Sun).<\/p>\n

Boboli Gardens<\/h2>\n

\"Sights<\/a><\/p>\n

The park area owes its appearance to the Duchess Eleanor of Toledo, a far-sighted politician, a generous philanthropist, and a beautiful woman. By her order, an amphitheater was erected in the gardens, where the builders installed an ancient Egypt<\/a>ian obelisk from Luxor. The artifact once adorned one of the Medici villas<\/a>. There are legends<\/a> that the former owners of the obelisk died under strange circumstances. The Duchess decided to outwit fate and… died at the age of 40 from malaria. Of Eleanor's 11 children<\/a>, three survived to adulthood. It is noteworthy that the main favorite of the dowager duke turned out to be the namesake of his wife and after 40 years “died to the world” (she was forcibly tonsured a nun).<\/p>\n

The Florentine park ensemble founded by order of Eleanor of Toledo has become the standard of classical landscape design. Today, the Boboli Gardens occupy about 4.5 hectares. It is difficult for foreign tourists and local residents to imagine that quarries functioned at this place many centuries ago. Terraces, fountains<\/a>, grottoes, pavilions, ancient sculptures, the works of Renaissance masters have created an amazing atmosphere here, where aristocracy, luxury, refinement, and harmony reign. Versailles and other famous European parks were laid out on the model of the Boboli Gardens, whose planning is still called perfect by experts today.<\/p>\n

Medici Laurenzian Library<\/h2>\n

\"Sights<\/a><\/p>\n

The library was collected by several generations of the famous Medici dynasty. Nowadays, its funds contain more than 150 thousa<\/a>nd handwritten, printed books: from ancient Egyptian papyri to European editions of the 14th-15th centuries, whose circulation did not exceed 100-300 copies. The owners of the unique collection have changed several times. When the power of the Medici weakened, the library fell into the hands of the clergy, the city authorities. Today it belongs to the state. The building where rare books are located is open to the public.<\/p>\n

The library was founded as a personal collection of rare editions and manuscripts in 1444. The building for storing books, manuscripts, papyri was erected almost 100 years later. The author of his project was a brilliant artist, architect, sculptor Michelangelo. The premises of the library were originally designed for visiting citizens, which was reflected in its planning and interior solutions.<\/p>\n

The building was created according to the canons of the Renaissance and Mannerism; optical illusions were used for its interior design. Michelangelo managed to combine luxury and practicality, refined decor and simplicity of classical forms. The hallmark of the library is a monumental staircase that looks like a lava flow.<\/p>\n

Porcelain Museum<\/h2>\n

\"Sights<\/a><\/p>\n

The collection is considered part of the Florentine Museum of Silver, located on the left side of the Pitti Palace. The unique collection of porcelain has been located since 1973 in a separate building: the Casino Villa. The collection includes Italian, Austrian, French products that belonged to representatives of royal and princely dynasties. A number of exhibits are closely connected with the history of the Medici oligarchic family.<\/p>\n

Among the exhibited relics, you can see the gifts<\/a> of Napoleon, which the Emperor of France presented to his elder sister, Eliza. The collection includes porcelain services, figurines, busts, accessories, whose owners were the descendants of the Savoy and Lorraine dynasties. The museum consists of three relatively small rooms.<\/p>\n

Each of its exhibits is both historical and artistic value. According to the annual number of visitors, the museum is among the top most visited in the world. Its first hall is a banquet room, the second is dedicated to Viennese porcelain, the third is Saxon. Among the museum relics there are not only works of art made of ceramics: the original of the lifetime portrait of Napoleon, created by Francois Gerard, a French artist, adventurer, and political intriguer, is exhibited in the banquet hall.<\/p>\n

Leonardo da Vinci Museum<\/h2>\n

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Many scientific discoveries of the “universal genius” of the Renaissance remain a mystery to scientists today. A private museum dedicated to the inventions of Leonardo da Vinci, opened in 1993. It is not the only one in Italy. In Venice<\/a>, Rome, Milan there are also museums where there are things, technical devices, tools, mechanisms created according to the drawings, sketches of the great master.<\/p>\n

The exposition is aimed at an audience of different ages, it presents samples of military equipment. Models of a tank, a submarine, a helicopter, a parachute, and a multi-barreled artillery gun are placed in the main hall of the museum. The main exposition includes 40 mechanisms, including a vessel with paddle wheels, an ornithopter, and a “programmable” drum. In the room where the machines and devices are located, there are screens showing the action of the models.<\/p>\n

No less interesting atmosphere reigns in the hall of mirrors: in it, among their own reflections, visitors see famous characters in da Vinci's paintings. In the museum laboratory, adults and children can experiment, work with copies of the master's drawings, try to invent their own “mechanical curiosity”.<\/p>\n

Museum of Galileo<\/h2>\n

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The building of the palace, where the museum is located, has repeatedly changed its status and purpose. Outwardly, it resembles a fortress. Small windows, thick solid walls, an ascetic exterior, a minimum of decorative elements emphasize the impregnability of the structure. The construction of the palace dates back to the 11th century. The first collection of technical curiosities within its walls appeared 500 years later. Two centuries later, the palace turned into a scientific center – an academy, whose scientists contributed to the development<\/a> of physics, chemistry, medicine, mathematics, mechanics, and astronomy.<\/p>\n

The history of the building and the expositions placed within its walls is closely connected with two famous European dynasties: the Lorraine and the Medici. Representatives of these families were among the first in the Old World who began to purposefully collect medical instruments, telescopes, globes, maps, and rare scientific works. The museum acquired its current name in the 21st century; since 2010, access to it has been open to adults and children.<\/p>\n

Many of its exhibits have historical and artistic value. In the exhibition halls of the building you can see medical instruments encrusted with precious stones, obstetric mannequins, telescopes with which Galileo worked. All devices, mechanisms are in good condition, including the famous artifact: a giant armillary sphere.<\/p>\n

Palazzo Strozzi<\/h2>\n

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The construction of the building began at the end of the 15th century, its construction and decoration lasted about 50 years. The prehistory of the appearance of the palazzo is as follows: two oligarchic families – the Medici and Strozzi – were at enmity for centuries, a representative of the second dynasty (Filippo) was accused of breaking the law (according to many historians: embezzlement and betrayal of the republic), he fled from Florence so as not to be on the block, and then returned to the city in triumph and decided to build a palace.<\/p>\n

Strozzi's goa<\/a>l was to annoy the famous rivals, whom he blamed for all the troubles. He took the palazzo of a hostile oligarchic family as a model for a new building. Filippo was obsessed with his idea: he turned to astrologers to determine the time of laying the foundation, controlled the work of the author of the project (an outstanding Italian engineer, architect Giuliano da Sangallo), followed the actions of the masons… And he died without waiting for the final result. The spirit of the proud Filippo, as superstitious Italians believe, still lives in the building.<\/p>\n

The Strozzi dynasty owned the palace for several centuries. Her last direct descendant did not leave legal heirs, and the building became the property of the city. Later, the palazzo acquired the status of a world-famous cultural site. Its luxurious marble halls host exhibitions of classical and contemporary art, concerts, VIP-level celebrations. In the courtyard of the building there are small elite souvenir shops, restaurants, cafes.<\/p>\n

Attractions<\/a> of Florence on the map<\/h2>\n