Travel Guide - Firenze, Italy

Florence (Firenze) is the capital of the region of Tuscany in Italy, filled with cultural, artistic and architectural treasure.


Transportation

By air
Florence's Amerigo Vespucci international airport (FLR) is the international airport in Firenze. It can be reached in about fifteen minutes from city center by taxi or bus.

By rail
The main station is Firenze Santa Maria Novella on the edge of the historic old town.


Attractions

Chiesa Santa Maria Novella
Santa Maria Novella is the first great basilica in Florence. It is situated just opposite to the Santa Maria Novella main railway station.

Duomo
The Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore (Duomo) is the cathedral Gothic style's church of Florence. The cathedral complex includes the Baptistery of St. John and Giotto's Campanile (bell tower). These three buildings are part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site covering the historic centre of Florence. The Basilica is the one of largest churches in Italy and the dome is the largest brick dome ever constructed.
The Battistero di San Giovanni (Baptistery of St. John) is a religious building in Florence which has the status of a minor basilica. The Baptistery stands in Piazza del Duomo, in front of the Duomo cathedral and the Giotto bell tower (Campanile di Giotto). This Florentine Romanesque style's bell tower is also one of the oldest buildings in the city. Don't miss to climb up the Duomo or Campanile! You can find stunning view of Florence as well as the Tuscan countryside.

Galleria dell'Accademia
The Gallery of the Accademia di Belle Arti is an academy of fine arts in Florence and it has housed the original David by Michelangelo since 1873.

Basilica di Santa Croce
The Basilica di Santa Croce (Basilica of the Holy Cross) is the principal Franciscan church in Florence and a minor basilica of the Roman Catholic Church. It is situated on the Piazza di Santa Croce. This site is known as the Temple of the Italian Glories (Tempio dell'Itale Glorie) as some of famous Italians were buried there, such as Michelangelo and Galileo.

Palazzo Vecchio
The Palazzo Vecchio is the town hall of Florence in the Piazza della Signoria, where you can see the copy of Michelangelo's David Statue stands there. The Loggia dei Lanzi (Loggia della Signoria) is a building on a corner of the Piazza della Signoria, adjoining the Uffizi Gallery.

Palazzo degli Uffizi
The Palazzo degli Uffizi is a palace in Florence and now houses the Uffizi Gallery (Galleria degli Uffizi). This gallery is one of the oldest and most famous art museums of the Western world.

Ponte Vecchio
The Ponte Vecchio is the oldest wholly-stone arch bridge over the Arno River in Florence. This medieval bridge was occupied by butchers, but now you can find lots of jewelery, art and souvenir shops. It is also the way to connect the Palazzo Vecchio with the Palazzo Pitti.

Palazzo Pitti
The Palazzo Pitti (Pitti Palace) is a vast mainly Renaissance palace in Florence. It is situated on the south side of the River Arno. It takes around 5mins walk from the Ponte Vecchio. It was originally the residence of a Florentine banker and later was bought by the Medici family. It houses collections of paintings, plates, jewelry and luxurious possessions.

Piazzale Michelangelo
By bus - the bus stop of Bus no. 13 opposite to St. Maria Novella main railway station
Ticket can be purchased on bus at rate of Euro2/person/way. In fact, this is a circular line which is also good for sightseeing.

Piazzale Michelangelo is a famous square with a magnificent panoramic view of Florence. There is a popular tourist destination in the Oltrarno district of the city. The view from this most famous observation point is fantastic. So it is the best place for photographers to take a postcard-like photos of Firenze, especially during sunrise or sunset time.

Useful links:
The website of Duomo - http://www.duomofirenze.it/index-eng.htm
The official website of Galleria dell'Accademia - http://www.accademia.firenze.it/english