Florence
Florence is regarded as one of Italy’s most beautiful cities and the cradle of the Renaissance. It is the capital of Tuscany and lies at the foot of the Apennines, and its origins date back to antiquity. Florence is visited by crowds of tourists every year – the city attracts visitors with its rich history and abundance of monuments. It is an ideal place for both a short weekend getaway and a longer vacation, and during your stay in this remarkable city you can count on a multitude of different attractions.
History of Florence
Florence was founded by the Etruscans, as Faesulae. During the civil wars, the Roman dictator Sulla razed the city, but as early as 59 BC. Julius Caesar founded a town called Florentia on the same site – it served as a colony for former soldiers. The checkerboard street layout, characteristic of a Roman military camp, has been preserved from this period.
During the Roman Empire, Florence was an important center of trade and commerce. After the fall of the empire, the city changed hands, coming under the rule of first the Byzantines, then the Goths, the Lombards and the Franks. It regained its original importance in the 11th century, mainly due to its favorable location, on the road leading from Rome to France. It was then that the construction of new fortifications began in the city.
At the beginning of the 12th century, Florence became an independent city and became part of the Lombard League. Although it was a period of numerous wars, Florence steadily grew and became richer, and in the 13th century began minting its own gold coin – the florin, which became the most important coin in Europe. In the 14th century the Medici began to rule the city, thanks to whom Florence became a real power. The Medici briefly lost power, and in 1498 the Florentine Republic was ruled by Piero Soderini – his closest associate was Niccolo Machiavelli, ranked among the most prominent Renaissance politicians. After the overthrow of the republic, the Medici regained power as Grand Dukes of Tuscany. After the unification of Italy, Florence was temporarily the capital of the new country.
How to get to Florence?
Florence has an international airport, Aeroporto Amerigo Vespucci.It serves flights from Germany, Spain, France, the UK, the Netherlands, Austria, among others, in addition to which there are many seasonal flights during the vacations.How long does it take to fly to Florence? From Berlin it’s less than 3 hours, from London it’s about 2.5 hours.You can also get to the capital of Tuscany by train – the main train station is Firenze Santa Maria Novella, from where high-speed trains Le Frecce run to major Italian cities, in addition to convenient connections to Austria, Switzerland, Germany, France.Still another option is the bus – the most direct connections are with Germany, Slovenia, Switzerland and Austria.
Quite a few people choose to travel to Florence by their own car.Florence lies on the Highway of the Sun, which connects Milan to Naples – this route connects to many European highways and expressways.
Public transportation in Florence
Florence has very well organized public transportation and most tourists use it.The city has two streetcar lines: the T1 from Villa Constanza to Careggi Ospedale and the T2 from the airport to the city center.The streetcars run from early morning until midnight, and on weekends the last run leaves after 1am. In addition, there are several bus lines to get around almost all of Florence, and two more special courses have been launched for tourists, covering the major attractions worth seeing.
A ticket costs €1.70, bought directly from the driver €3.The ticket is valid for 90 minutes after punching, and this time also counts after transferring to another bus or streetcar.For those who plan to use public transportation more often, it is more economical to purchase the FirenzeCard, for 5 euros, which allows you to travel by public transportation without restrictions for 72 hours.
Public transportation is much more convenient than your own or rented car, if only because you are not allowed to enter the inner city by car at all.Parking outside the ZTL zone is quite expensive, as you have to spend at least 25 euros for this purpose, and you also have to reckon with the fact that there are few free parking spaces.
Where to sleep in Florence?
Prices in Florence are quite high and this also applies to accommodation.The most expensive is in the inner city, especially when it comes to 5-star hotels.For a night at the Hotel De La Ville you pay from 114 to 639 euros, depending on the size and standard of the room.The 3-star Hotel Montreal, at Santa Maria Novella station, about 10 minutes from the Cathedral, costs about 150 euros per day. Budget hotels, farther from the historic center and of a slightly lower standard, count about 50-60 euros per day.
Private apartments are also a popular form of accommodation in Florence. You can stay in them with several people and they are usually located close to tourist attractions or public transportation stops.The Pergola apartment, in the center of Florence, costs about 130 euros for a day’s stay, with similar rates at Casa Tornabuoni and Apartment Cupido. Cheaper apartments are priced at 70-80 euros per day, while the most exclusive apartments, in a prestigious location, can be rented for 550-900 euros per day.Tourists who prefer to stay in nature can stay in one of the Tuscan vineyards near Florence.Prices start at 60-70 euros per room, apartments of a better standard usually cost from 200 euros upwards.The price includes breakfast, wi-fi access, a swimming pool, air conditioning in the rooms, a tour of the vineyard and a tasting of local wine.
Florence – free attractions
In Florence there is no shortage of places to see for free.Most of them are located in the center, but it can still take many hours to get around them all, and it is very difficult to visit all the interesting places in one day.Of all the free attractions in Florence, the most recommendable are:
Piazza del Duomo
That is, the cathedral square, which is the heart of Florence and a must-see on any tour of the city. The main sights of the square are the cathedral, the bell tower and the baptistery, which even from the outside make an electrifying impression on visitors.
Cathedral di Santa Maria del Fiore
Also called Il Duomo.It ranks among the largest churches in Europe, and its dome can be seen from many parts of the city – in the evening, when it is illuminated, it appears even larger and more dignified. The interior of Santa Maria del Fiore Cathedral is not as opulent as the facade, but it is still worth going inside to see the old frescoes and Renaissance sculptures.Admission to the cathedral is free, but you have to be patient, as there are long lines of visitors in front of the church practically every day.
Piazzale Michelangelo
This is a piazza on the hill of San Miniato, from where you can enjoy the view of Florence Cathedral. The focal point of the square is a copy of the sculpture of David, erected on the 400th anniversary of Michelangelo’s birth.
San Miniato al Monte Church
San Miniato al Monte is one of the most important monuments of Romanesque architecture in Italy. The church’s facade is of white and green marble, and inside you can admire beautiful frescoes and a crypt with the saint’s relics.
Santa Croce Church
This is a minor basilica and one of the most important Franciscan churches in Italy. Its creator was probably Arnolfo di Cambio. In the 15th century, the church was expanded with new chapels, and the facade dates back to the 19th century. Many important personalities are buried in the church of Santa Croce, including Michelangelo, Dante, Galileo Galilei, Niccolo Machiavelli, Leonardo Bruni – for this reason the temple is often called the Pantheon.
Piazza della Signoria
Another square in Florence worth seeing, whose construction began in the 12th century. The piazza is home to the Fountain of Neptune, Uffizi Gallery, Palazzo Vecchio, Logia dei Lanzii, among others.
Ponte Vecchio
Ponte Vecchio is otherwise known as the Bridge of Goldsmiths. It is one of the symbols of Florence – a characteristic feature of the bridge are the small houses added to the bridge structure. Many jewelry stores still operate on the bridge, where you can buy Florentine jewelry.
Giardino delle rose
The rose park is one of the favorite places for strolling. Here you can take a break from the hustle and bustle of the city and take shelter from the scorching sun, and of course, the garden’s greatest boast is its collection of roses. The rose park looks especially beautiful in late spring.
Palazzo Medici-Riccardi
There is a fee for the interior of the palazzo, which now houses a museum, but you can enter the courtyard and gardens for free.
Mercado Centrale
This is the main bazaar in Florence, organized in a hall dating back to 1876. Here you can buy a variety of Tuscan specialties at a good price, especially cheeses, cured meats, vegetables and fruits. The market is open daily, but during the week the stalls close as early as 2pm, so it’s worth coming early.
Forte di Belvedere
The fortified 16th-century villa can be viewed from the outside, free of charge, between June and the end of October. The interior is open to tourists, but after buying a ticket.
Free entrance to museums
You have to buy a ticket to Florence’s museums, but on selected days admission is free, although you need to make a reservation in advance – there is a limited pool of free seats and they go very quickly in high season.Free entries are valid on the first Sunday of every month.
Florence – paid attractions
Florence is all about museums with valuable works of art, historic churches and magnificent architecture.It’s no wonder that the entire old town of Florence has been designated a UNESCO site, and it’s worth setting aside at least a few days to see all these things. What should be on the list?
Uffizi Gallery
This is one of the oldest museums in Europe, founded in 1581. The gallery stands near Piazza della Signoria and consists of two rectangular buildings connected by a third, which faces the Arno River. Most of the works are paintings of the Italian and Flemish schools. Among the exhibits are Botticelli’s Birth of Venus, Raphael’s Madonna with Pincushion, Caravaggio’s Bacchus, Leonardo da Vinci’s Annunciation, and Michelangelo’s Holy Family.
The entrance ticket costs 20 euros, with a discount 10 euros. Out of season (November – February) prices are 12 and 6 euros. The gallery is open from 8:15 a.m. to 6:50 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday, and entrances are every 15 minutes.
Galleria dell’Accademia
The Academy Gallery was founded in 1784.There are numerous sculptures and paintings by Italian artists, and undoubtedly the most valuable exhibit is the David statue by Michelangelo and his Captives series – four unfinished sculptures.
The gallery is open daily except Mondays, from 8:15 a.m. to 6:50 p.m. Entrance costs 12 euros.Santa Maria Novella & MuseumThis is one of the few churches in Florence that has retained its original facade from its early days.The interior of the church is three-nave, and the chapel altar was made by Andrea di Cione – his brother, Nardo di Cione, is the author of the frescoes.The main wall is crowned with the Last Judgment.The artworks from the 14th and 15th centuries, mainly statues, busts and tombstones, are still worthy of special attention.A visit to the church costs 5 euros, for children and seniors 3.50 euros.You can go inside daily, but are not allowed to visit the church during services.
Santa Maria del Carmine and Brancacci Chapel
The church stands in the Oltrarno district and was built in 1268. It was almost entirely rebuilt after the 18th century fire and only the front facade, the sacristy and the Corsini and Brancacci chapels remain from the original building. The Brancacci Chapel is known for its early Renaissance paintings. The theme of the frescoes is the life of St. Peter.
The church can be visited daily except Tuesdays, Sundays and religious holidays. The museum is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and admission costs 6 euros.
Casa di Dante
Dante is an important figure in Italian culture. The museum dedicated to him is located in the center of Florence, and Dante’s House is probably the building where the famous artist was born. The exhibits related to Dante’s life and works are spread over three floors.
The museum is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., every day except holidays. The entrance fee to the museum is 8 euros, for children tickets cost 5 euros. Organized groups can also count on cheaper entrance, but advance reservations are required.
Casa Buonarroti
This is a museum set up in a mansion that belonged to Michelangelo in the past. It is to his person that this place is dedicated, and among the exhibits are several of the artist’s early sculptures, a huge library, Michelangelo’s letters and drawings. In addition, the exhibits are supplemented with works by later Italian artists.
The museum can be entered daily, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. A normal ticket costs 8 euros, a reduced ticket costs 5 euros.
Ospedale degli Innocenti – Hospital of the Innocents
The Hospital of the Innocents is one of the first Renaissance buildings in Florence, built in the early 15th century. The author of the project was Filippo Brunelleschi. It is a vast hospital complex on Santissima Annunziata. It was founded by the Florentine guild of silk and goldsmiths – it was to serve as an asylum for abandoned children. Today, the former asylum houses an art gallery.
Palazzo Vecchio
Palazzo Vecchio is a Gothic-style town hall that formerly housed Florence’s city council. It stands in the Piazza della Signoria. Its designer was Arnolfo di Cambio. The City Hall stands on a quadrangular plan, and its three-story body is crowned by a 94-meter high tower with a terrace. Construction of Palazzo Vecchio began in the late 13th and early 14th centuries. The halls of the town hall are richly decorated, finished with frescoes by Italian artists, and 17th-century tapestries can be admired on the walls. Among the exhibits are works by Michelangelo, Rubens, Vasari. In addition to exploring the halls of the palace, you can also climb the tower, which is an excellent vantage point – it offers a magnificent panorama of the city.
Admission to the museum and tower is 14 euros per person. Entrance to the museum only costs 10 euros, the same rate applies to visit the tower only. In case of rain, the tower remains closed to tourists. Visits are possible from 9:00 am to 9:00 pm.
National Archaeological Museum of Florence
This is one of the most important museums in Italy. It was dedicated to ancient art, and it is here that the largest collection of Etruscan art is located – a large part of the collection comes from the Medici collection. In addition, separate sections devoted to the art and culture of ancient Egypt, Rome and Greece were still arranged in the museum. Among the museum’s most valuable exhibits are the Hellenistic period Etruscan sculpture Arringatore, the Chimera of Arezzo, the Francois vase, and the stella of the Egyptian priest Gedhor.
A ticket to the archaeological museum costs €7.75 per person. The museum is open to the public from 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. On Mondays, Fridays and Saturdays you can only enter until 2 p.m. On Sundays the museum remains closed.
Palazzo Davanzati
This is a palace built by the Davizzi family. It currently houses a museum. Visitors can see the palace’s historic chambers, atrium, spacious courtyard, Parrot Room, bathroom, study, private bedrooms.
The entrance ticket costs 6 euros. Palazzo Davanzati is open to the public from Tuesday to Sunday, from 8:15 a.m. to 1:50 p.m. On weekends the opening hours are different – entrances start at 2:15 p.m. and end at 6:50 p.m.
Palazzo Pitti
This is one of the largest palaces in Florence. Like other buildings of its kind, it was built in the Renaissance style. It stands on the south bank of the Arno River, close to the Ponte Vecchio. The palace’s interiors today serve as a museum, and you can see works by some of Italy’s most prominent painters. The top floor houses a contemporary art gallery. The Palatina Gallery is a rich collection of works by artists such as Rubens, Pietro da Cortona, Correggio, Raphael and Titian. The Grand Duchess’s treasures include precious crystals and porcelain dating back several centuries. An additional attraction associated with visiting the palace is entering the gardens.
Entrance to Palazzo Pitti costs 16 euros, 8 euros for children and seniors. In the low season, i.e. from November to February, a normal ticket costs 10 euros and a discounted ticket costs 5 euros. It is possible to purchase one pass at a promotional price of 38 euros, which also entitles you to visit the Uffizi Gallery and Boboli Gardens. Opening hours are 8:15 am – 6:50 pm.
Museo di San Marco
Florence’s sacred monuments impress with their beautiful architecture, and the St. Mark’s Museum is a perfect example. It’s a complex consisting of a church and a monastery, built in the 15th century. The monastery was home to Fra Angelico, the famous religious painter, and preacher Girolamo Savonarola, who was declared a heretic and sentenced to death by Pope Benedict XIV.
The museum is open Monday through Friday from 8:15 a.m. to 1:50 p.m., and on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays from 8:15 a.m. to 4:50 p.m. Entrance to the complex costs 4 euros (children 2 euros).
Medici Chapel
This is a magnificent complex located in the church of San Lorenzo. The first architect of the mausoleum was Michelangelo, and his work was completed in 1557 by Giorgio Vasari. It houses the antique tombstones of the Duke of Urbino and Julian Medici, along with sculptures of the Morning and Twilight.
The entrance fee to the chapel is 8 euros. The Medici Chapel is open to tourists from 8:15 a.m. to 2 p.m. throughout the week, except Mondays and public holidays.
Campanile di Giotto
The monumental bell tower is one of the city’s main attractions. It offers views of Florence and the historic center. Construction began in 1334, and there are a total of 7 bells in Giotto’s bell tower. To climb to the top, you have to climb 414 stairs, but the view rewards the effort.
The ticket for adults costs 20 euros, for children 12 euros. A combined ticket, to visit the temple museum, baptistery and crypts, costs 30 euros. Ascents to the mountain are organized daily, from 8:30 am to 5:30 pm.
