One of the most popular tourist attractions in Florence is the Uffizi Gallery. Be prepared for the fact that before you get into the gallery you will have to stand in a decent queue, which is almost always there (especially on weekends). Tourists are attracted not only by the original and unique architecture of the museum, but also by the unique paintings of the most famous artists in the world. The building itself was built over a period of twenty years from 1560 to 1580, and initially no one planned to place a gallery here. Now here you can see rare works by Sandro Botticelli, Rembrandt, Raphael, Caravaggio, Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo and even a self-portrait of Aivazovsky. In addition, the collection of various sculptures is striking, among which the most famous is the Venus de Medici sculpture. The museum occupies a large area of ​​13 thousand square meters. You can visit it every day except Mondays from 8.30 to 22 hours (in winter until 19). On Sunday the museum is open until 14:00. Admission ticket It's not expensive, about 6-7 euros. In addition to visiting exhibition halls, in the museum you can sit in the cafeteria, go to a bookstore or library.

A popular place is the Basilica of Santa Croce, which is famous for the fact that the tombs of famous residents of the city are located here. Names like Galileo and Michelangelo speak volumes. The building itself is impressive with multi-colored stained glass windows and frescoes. The temple was built back in the 13th century, but all the most valuable things have been preserved to this day in excellent condition. Today, the basilica looks more like a museum than a religious building. Tourists come here to look at the works of artists and sculptors of the 13th-14th and other centuries. On the square in front of the cathedral they constantly organize some kind of concerts and other holiday events and even play local football in special costumes and according to strict rules. The basilica is open every day, from Monday to Saturday from 9.30 to 17.30, and on Sunday from 13.00 to 17.30. The entrance ticket costs 5 euros.

Most Grand Palace Florence is called Palazzo Piti. At the same time, this is a large museum complex, which includes 13 paintings by Titian, 11 paintings by Raphael, works by Rubens, Van Dyck and other artists. Here you can also get acquainted with Italian art, which dates back to the period from the mid-18th century to the First World War. There are several museums here and you will have to buy a separate ticket for each of them.

Go to the best bridge in Florence, Ponte Vecchio. Initially, the bridge was wooden and was destroyed several times, but it was constantly rebuilt. Previously, this bridge was an “ominous” and the stinkiest place in the city, since in the 15-16th centuries there was no such thing as refrigerators, and all spoiled meat products were thrown into the river so that they would be carried away from the city by the current, but this did not really help . Today this bridge is called the most pathetic landmark of the city.

You should definitely go to Piazzale Michelangelo. This favorite place not only for tourists, but also for local residents. The square is always crowded. This is not surprising, since the square is located on top of a hill and offers stunning views of the city. It’s even better to come to the square at night to see what Florence looks like in the twinkling lights. Street artists hold their exhibitions on the square, many of them paint them here. The most convenient way to reach the square is via the San Nicollo stairs. The square itself is not particularly interesting, but tourists come to this place to admire the scenery, and not the square itself. It is from this square that you should begin your acquaintance with Florence.

It is believed that when in Florence, every tourist is obliged to visit the Medici Chapel. Again, this is not a simple architectural structure, but a place that is directly connected with the name of the great master Michelangelo. This chapel is located in the Church of San Lorenzo and is considered one of Michelangelo's best creations. You won’t spend a lot of time in this place, but you will be left with a lot of impressions. In the chapel you can see with your own eyes how talented this man was.

The chapel itself is a small, elongated structure with a beautiful dome. Absolutely everything in the chapel is dedicated to a not very pleasant topic, namely the topic of death. Below are sarcophagi with the bodies of the dead. The atmosphere of tragedy is the main difference between this chapel and all other similar buildings in Florence.

The chapel is open daily from 8.15 to 16.50, but you need to know that the ticket office closes at 16.20, and you will no longer be able to buy a ticket on this day. The only days off are the odd-numbered Mondays of each month and every even-numbered Sunday. You will have to pay 8 euros for a ticket, but for such a place this is by no means a small amount.

List of attractions and interesting places You can go on for a very long time, but you understand that you don’t have enough time for everything. What to see first is up to you, it all depends on how long you will be in the city. Almost every attraction in Florence is related to some great and world famous person.

Florence from A to Z: map, hotels, attractions, restaurants, entertainment. Shopping, shops. Photos, videos and reviews about Florence.

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Districts of Florence

The capital of Tuscany is divided in two by the majestic Arno - a river that cannot be called the most picturesque, but there is still something special about it. On the northern bank of the Arno is the heart of the city - the Historic Center area. It is not for nothing that Florence is proud of this small piece of land. After all, it was included in the UNESCO list World Heritage humanity. And of course, in order to get at least a minimal idea of ​​the beautiful capital of the Florentine Republic, you should definitely wander through its cozy and romantic streets. The center of the area is Duomo Square, next to the work of the great Giotto - the bell tower of the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore. The Baptistery of St. John, the patron saint of the city, is also located here. IN historical center There are many other architectural masterpieces in the creation of which Donatello, Michelangelo, and Brunelleschi took part. There are also famous museum collections - San Marco, the Accademia Gallery, as well as the most expensive hotels and restaurants in Florence.

San Lorenzo is another central district of the city, which for centuries has been famous for two seemingly not very compatible components - trade and art. The area owes its name to the temple, which was erected in the 4th century after the Nativity of Christ. The second name of this place is the “Medici Quarter,” and all thanks to the fact that almost all representatives of this noble family are buried in the Temple of San Lorenzo. Finally, there is the majestic Monastery of San Marco and, of course, the famous Central Market.

The district of Santa Croce (from Italian “Holy Cross”), which lies to the east of the center, received its name thanks to the church of the same name, which is considered one of the main architectural pearls of the city. Here you should definitely see the palaces of Cocchi-Serristori, Spinelli, Antella and the house of the famous painter and architect Giorgio Vasari. Perhaps this is one of the most convenient areas for tourists to stay - it is located relatively close to the center, but at the same time, hotel prices here are quite reasonable.

Crossing the famous Ponte Vecchio (by the way, the only crossing in Florence that survived the Second World War), you can find yourself in the Oltrarno area. This is a very sophisticated and somewhat bohemian place, where attractions are a dime a dozen. These are also wonderful museums: for example, the Gallery of Modern Art, the Silver Museum, the Palatine Gallery. And openwork temples, in particular Santa Maria del Carmine with amazing frescoes by Masaccio, Filippo Lippi and Masolino. And amazing restaurants where they cook dishes exclusively according to Florentine recipes.

The Coverciano area is distinguished by a huge number of churches and monasteries, each of which, of course, also represents important artistic value. Despite its remoteness from the center (in the northeast, just beyond railway line), at least for half a day, but it’s worth getting out here. For the sake of the Church of St. Catharine of Siena or Ancient romanesque church San Bartolomeo Gignoro. There are also two holy monasteries here - San Baldassarre and San Girolamo.

For fans of the Fiorentina football club, popularly called “violets”, Coverciano is an indispensable “must visit”. After all, the Hall of Fame of Italian football and the headquarters of the national federation are located here.

Transport

Florence is 10 times smaller than Rome in area; there is no need for metro or trains. Moreover, almost everything iconic places collected in a small area, the movement of which, by the way, is limited. Take this into account if you are used to renting a car when traveling. In Florence it will be useful only for out-of-town trips. It’s easier to travel through the city streets by bus, tram, taxi, pedicabs or rented vehicle.

Municipal transport

Florence buses offer hundreds of routes, which is impressive considering the modest size of the city.

There are 4 routes of eco-friendly electric buses running through the relatively closed center of old Florence. They are distinguished by their unusual appearance and letters in the number: C1, C2, C3 and D.

The main transport company, ATAF, has a unified system of tickets and passes for buses and trams. A 90-minute ticket costs 1.20 EUR. Tourists are offered a 24-hour pass for 5 EUR, a three-day pass for 12 EUR and a weekly pass for 18 EUR. Travel on a night bus (from 20:00 to 3:00) will cost 5 EUR. Prices on the page are as of November 2018.

Look for tickets and passes in the special ATAF hall at the Santa Maria Novella railway station, as well as in bars, tobacconists and newsstands. Tickets are also sold from the driver, but for 2 EUR. You can also order an SMS ticket, but you will need an Italian SIM card.

To museums by bus

The Firenze Card opens doors to 67 museums in Florence for 72 hours. Bonus - free travel on buses and trams for the validity period of the card. The price of pleasure is 85 EUR per person.

Tram

Recently, the first and so far only tram line, closed in 1958 for being “not modern,” was restored in Florence. It connected the Santa Maria Novella station with the commune of Scandicci on the outskirts. The trip to the final destination will take about 20 minutes. An interesting opportunity to get to know the surrounding area quickly and for little money. The first tram leaves the line at 4:30, the last one leaves for the depot at 0:30. It runs every 4-6 minutes. In 2018, a second line opened, connecting Santa Maria Novella station with the airport.

Taxi

Taxi companies' tariffs are approximately the same. During the day they ask for 3.30 EUR per landing, the minimum rate is 5 EUR. From 22:00 to 6:00 boarding is 6.60 EUR, minimum per trip is 8.30 EUR. On holidays 5.30 and 7 EUR respectively. For the fourth and further passengers there is another 1 EUR, for a piece of luggage the same amount. Calling a taxi by phone is considered additional service, cost up to 2 EUR. Ready rates - 20 EUR to the city center from the airport, 10 EUR between city stations. A kilometer of travel - from 0.10 EUR. Call a taxi or look for it in parking lots: it is difficult to catch a car on the street.

From the airport and back

An alternative to a taxi is the VolaInBus shuttle. Look for these buses at Gallery Station, BusItalia Bus Station and Air Terminal Stop. One way ticket: 5 EUR, round trip: 8 EUR. Opening hours: 5:00 - 0:30.

For a day around the area

From Florence you can take a day trip through Tuscany, visiting Siena, Pisa or the coast Tyrrhenian Sea. The bus station is within walking distance from Santa Maria Novella. The trip to Siena by bus takes an hour, the ticket costs from 7.60 EUR. It is easier to get to Pisa and the coast by train, travel time is 1-1.5 hours, ticket from 8 EUR.

City bus number 7 will take you from Piazza San Marco to the town of Fiesole, which has a rich archaeological area and excellent views of Florence.

Pedicabs

For some time now, the pedicabs movement has been developing in Florence. Maximum passengers are two adults or an adult and two children. A 15-minute trip will cost 15 EUR for two. One-hour walk: 45 EUR. Although they can give you a free ride, the movement actively attracts volunteers to its ranks. Look for rickshaws near the market in the San Lorenzo area.

Excursion tours

Guests of the city can use the familiar double-decker red City Sightseeing Open Buses. There are three routes: year-round A and B and line C, available from April to November. Day ticket for adults on A+B+C: 20 EUR, 2 days: 25 EUR, 3 days: 30 EUR. Children's ones are half the price, there are family packages. Audio commentary is available in Russian. Tickets are accepted on city buses and trams.

City tours on Segways from 65 EUR. Rafting tours on the Arno from 25 EUR. From May to September you can book the most romantic tour - a ride on the Florentine gondolas. 75 minutes, from 39 EUR per passenger.

River tram

You can see Florence from an unusual angle from the deck water bus. These small 40-passenger pleasure boats cruise past famous landmarks, so don't forget your camera - extraordinary photos are guaranteed. Such transport is available from spring to mid-autumn; at this time, the river flow within the city is calm, and you don’t have to be afraid of rocks.

Scooters, Segways, bicycles

The compactness of Florence and the limited traffic in the central part of the city encourage the rental of small vehicles. A day's rental of a moped or motorcycle costs from 50 to 75 EUR. There are companies offering to rent a Segway: 1 hour: 18 EUR, 3 hours: 45 EUR.

Florence's 80 km of bike paths are a great reason to rent a bike! Price per hour: from 2 to 5 EUR, per day: 10-14 EUR. The municipal rental program has the most affordable prices: pickup stations are located at Santa Maria Novella station and on Via Ghiberti. Opening hours for the rental car at Santa Maria Novella station from March to October: Monday - Saturday: 8:00 - 19:00, from November to February: 10:00 - 17:00. Rental opening hours on Via Ghiberti from March to October: Monday - Saturday: 9:00 - 18:00, from November to February: 10:00 - 17:00. Sunday is a day off. Rentals may also not operate on national holidays.

A tricycle can be rented from the same pedicabs for 80-120 EUR, depending on the season.

Maps of Florence

Car rental in Florence

If you do not plan to go from Florence on an independent and long trip to Tuscany, then there is little point in renting a car. Only taxis and local residents with special passes are allowed to travel to many areas of the city, hundreds of routes public transport They will take tourists to almost any corner of the city, including the outskirts, and the suburbs and even neighboring towns are easily accessible by bus or train.

If you're determined to explore rural Tuscany and don't want to rely on a strict schedule, there are several international, Italian and local car rental companies at your disposal. To rent, you need to make a deposit for the car and don’t forget your license (ideally an IDP, but some offices also accept national ones). Book the right car You can do it online in advance and pick it up at the airport on the designated day. If you decide to rent a car in Florence, then look for rental offices south of railway station Santa Maria Novella.

A 24-hour rental of a small car will cost 35-45 EUR, a minivan - 145-180 EUR, a premium class - from 250 EUR. Although you can also find a nice convertible like a Peugeot 308 for 80 EUR per day.

Check the fuel type of your car to avoid getting into trouble at the gas station. If your smartphone does not support the navigator function, then when renting a car you will be offered such a gadget for an additional amount, do not refuse. And be sure to ask the manager of the rental agency how to get out of the city center: in Florence there are many narrow one-way streets, without orientation you can easily end up in a closed area, and this is fraught with a fine of about 70 EUR. By the way, fines annually bring the Florence treasury about 50 million EUR, and most of them are for traveling into a closed zone.

There are two words for diesel fuel in Italy: Diesel and Gasolio. The similarity of the latter with Gasoline, which is familiar to other countries, can result in car failure and urgent engine cleaning. If your car runs on petrol, look for the words Senza piombo and Benzina on the petrol pumps. The phrase “Bongiorno! La gasoline! Gracia!

Another reason to think about the need to rent a car is the difficulty with parking. There are few parking spaces for visitors in the city, there are practically no free ones, and those that are available have a limited period of use: after a certain time, your car will simply be towed to the impound lot. Hourly paid parking: 0.50-2 EUR depending on the distance to the center. Overnight parking: up to 30 EUR. Please note: parking areas are marked in white, yellow and blue. White parking is free, but only for local residents, yellow is for taxi drivers, special vehicles and disabled people, and blue is paid for city guests. The fine for illegal parking starts from 30 EUR, but if the car is towed, the cost of the mistake will increase 4-5 times.

Communication and Wi-Fi

Italians are not as dependent on the World Wide Web as guests from Russia, the USA or China, so for them free Wi-Fi is more of a whim than a necessity. That’s why most local hotels charge a small tribute to their guests for such whims - 5-7 EUR per day. There are, of course, hotels with free access, but it’s better to check in advance.

Cafes and restaurants also do not indulge their guests with access to the Internet, perhaps they are afraid of competition between their cuisine and Facebook. I must say, they have no reason to be afraid.

Firenzecard

“72 hours, 85 EUR and 72 museums” is the motto of the official guest card of the Tuscan capital Firenzecard, which can be bought online at the official website. website, at one of the museum's ticket offices or at the information office. Whether it is worth doing this is a special question. If you want to visit at least a couple of museums a day (and in Florence there is simply no other way), the card, even if it doesn’t “pay for itself,” will be approximately equal to this amount, because average price for tickets to Florence museums - about 7 EUR. But, in addition to this, Firenzecard holders will not have to stand in queues at the ticket office (including the famous Uffizi, Palazzo Vecchio or Palazzo Pitti), and they will be able to go to one of the selected places without queuing at all - the so-called priority will work pass.

Florence Hotels

Ancient Florence is a very popular city among tourists. This means that rooms in local hotels, although there are a lot of them, are better to book in advance. And prepare for relatively high prices. In the off-season, you can find a “double” in the center for 45 EUR, but from April to the end of September the cost rises by about 30%. The most budget options are traditionally hostels, the price per night in which starts from 15-20 EUR. Large groups should pay attention to 2-3-room apartments - in addition to the opportunity to feel like a local, walking every morning for fresh breakfast rolls, the price of 100-120 EUR per night can be conveniently divided among several families.

The cost per night in hotels that are closer to the famous Piazza della Signoria is growing almost exponentially. But sometimes such a price is almost “justified”: the pleasure of being able to stay in a medieval palazzo with a romantic story from the life of the Medici family is worth it.

Shopping

People usually bring all kinds of souvenirs from Florence with fragments of world-famous paintings from the Uffizi, wines and cheeses, leather goods and jewelry. By the way, about the latter: a fair amount of them can be found on Ponte Vecchio, where almost every store is a jewelry store. It is also worth going to Florence for fur coats (including the famous Rindi brand) and designer clothes and shoes, which are sold both in branded stores and in outlets outside the city.

In the center of Florence there are both boutiques and small mono-brand outlets, for example, Max Mara, Prada, Dolce & Gabbana, Robero Cavalli, Fendi. Most of the outlets located in the suburbs of Florence are multi-brand: Sotto Sotto, where there are many evening dresses and classic suits; small The Mall with a large selection of luxury brands; Barberino Outlet (from &G and Roberto Cavalli to Levi's, Motivi, Guess) and Valdichiana Outlet with sports brands like Adidas and Puma or Cerruti and Tosca Blu. The latter is worn by ordinary Italians who do not care about brands and fashion trends.

Guides in Florence

Entertainment and attractions in Florence

“The Cradle of the Renaissance”, the most museum-like city in Italy, the spring city - there are so many epithets and nicknames that Florence has earned, and all of them are extremely flattering. I must say, quite deservedly: even in winter, this city located in the Tuscan valleys cries out for life. Here you breathe differently, you feel differently, even the sunlight, the scourge of all artists, falls somehow especially, differently. And you understand this best when walking along the narrow streets of Florence, when every now and then, here and there, the roof of the Duomo, perhaps one of the most majestic cathedrals in the country, flashes through the skylight. By the way, it is also atypical - completely covered with soft green, white and pinkish marble plates with a lush terracotta roof, the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore literally pushes you into the arms of color, art and love. Love for Florence. Actually, this cathedral is the heart of the city. If we continue the theme of the human body, then its main vital organs will be located in Piazzale Michelangelo, from where best views to Florence. Naturally. These beauties are connected by the legendary Ponte Vecchio (“Old Bridge”) with its famous Vasari Corridor - a secret passage specially built for the Medici dynasty.

Temples of Florence

The soul of the city is revealed in its many cathedrals, chapels, baptisms and churches. The very best - of course, Santa Maria del Fiore - this Gothic Cathedral best viewed from the observation deck at Piazzale Michelangelo. Up close, it is simply impossible to fit the juicy size of the temple into the camera lens. How impossible it is not to fall in love with this architectural masterpiece. Nearby is the same Giotto's bell tower, for the sake of which thousands of tourists overpay decent money to hotels. And, of course, the tiny (compared to the Duomo) Baptistery of San Giovanni - the baptismal house where all the famous babies of the Florentine Republic screamed indecently during Baptism.

Two more significant temples in the city (in addition to a dozen amazing churches with masterpieces of varying significance) are the basilicas of San Lorenzo and Santa Croce. The first, so to speak, is famous for the tombs of members of the Medici clan. The latter houses the famous "Pantheon of Florence" - the tombs of the most famous citizens of Florence, including Michelangelo, Machiavelli, Galileo, Rossini and Dante.

Museums of Florence

Among other things, Florence has a huge number of museums.

The Uffizi Gallery in Piazza della Senoria is not only one of oldest museums Italy, but also the most complete and significant collection of Italian painting in the world. The Museum of San Marco is famous for the frescoes and paintings of the great Dominicans Fra Beato Angelico and Fra Bartolomeo, as well as the cell of Savonarola. Interesting is the Gallery of the Academy of Fine Arts, where there is an original of that same David, from the sight of which schoolchildren, ladies and art critics blush (alas, all for different reasons).

The Pitti Palace, as well as the Vecchio, have gathered a whole string of museums under their roof, one of the most interesting is the Pitti Gallery in the royal apartments. It is also worth visiting the memorial meetings, because Florence, like no other city, is famous for its famous citizens. For example, you can go to the Medici Museum, located in the Medici-Riccardi Palace. Or to the house-museum of Michelangelo Buonarotti. It was here that the great sculptor and painter created his early creations - the reliefs “Madonna della Scala” and “Battle of the Centaurs”. Michelangelo's personal library and a collection of drawings personally signed by the genius are a bonus. Another worthy exhibition at the Dante Alighieri House Museum. The building itself is remarkable - it is something like a tower, where one of the greatest Italian poets was born and where his priceless manuscripts are kept.

Piazza della Signoria, about the drawing that Michelangelo quickly scribbled after Hercules, about medieval intrigues, bloody massacres and the triumph of good. In a word, Florence is a city of fairy tales, and the museum collections directly confirm this. First of all, it’s worth going to the Museo Dei Ragazzi (“Museum for Boys”), where, of course, young ladies are not forbidden to go. Both of them, with equal agility, will be dressed as knights or told how to conduct experiments with vacuum. Continuing the knightly theme, it is worth checking out the Stibbert Museum - a magnificent collection of Western weapons and Japanese armor. You can finish the boyish leitmotif in the museum of the Piaggio scooter brand - that's where you can't drag dads and kids by the ears (located in Pontedera, 40 minutes drive from Florence).

IN Children's Museum in the Palazzo Vecchio, the children will be looked after by the gloomy “owner” of the house - Cosimo Medici, who will guide them through the secret corridors and rooms of the palace, allowing them to try on cloaks, dresses and masks of the 16th century. Curious kids will certainly be interested in the ancient compasses, astrolabes and maps in the Galileo Museum.

You can take a break from the museum exhibits in Pinocchio Park in Collodi (an hour's journey by car). The main “must-see” is the “Land of Toys”, which tells about the adventures of a cocky wooden boy, as well as a large playground, a store and a giant chess board. About 10 kilometers from Collodi there is an excellent spa resort called Montecatini Terme, where parents should stop by for some relaxing treatment.

Florence is a beautiful and fleeting dream! Florence is a city that gives inspiration!

Florence– located in the heart of Tuscany. During their reign, the Medici turned the city into one of the most beautiful, artistic and intellectual cities in Italy. The Arno River crossed Ponte Vecchio- one of the most famous bridges in the World. Built in the 13th century, this 30-meter bridge withstood everything until the bombing of 1944 and the flood of 1966. Since the 16th century, only jewelers’ shops were located on it. It remains to this day one of the symbols of Florence and all its traditions. But the bridge has its own secret: the long kilometer-long Vasari corridor runs right above the shops. Here is the largest collection of self-portraits. This passage served the Medici family to get from the Palazzo Vecchio through the Uffizi Gallery to their palace Palazzo Pitti.

One of the amazing squares of Florence, Piazza della Signoria, is decorated with sculptures. Among them stand out: “ Hercules and Cacus» by Baccio Bandinelli, copy of the sculpture « David"Michelangelo, white marble fountain" Neptune"by sculptor Bartolomeo Ammanati. There is a palace on the square Palazzo Vecchio. Florence amazes with the number of museums and galleries. The most famous Uffizi gallery. It presents world-famous works by Michelangelo, Baticheli, Raphael, Leonardo, Titian, etc. It is also worth visiting museums and galleries in Palazzo Pitti, the Accademia Gallery fine arts, National Museum Bargello and San Marco Museum. The attractions of Florence are numerous cathedrals and churches: Cathedral Cathedral Santa Maria del Fiore with a large dome, frescoed with scenes of the Last Judgment in 1579 by two artists Giorgio Vasari and Federico Zuccari, and a bell tower; Basilica Santa Croce XIII century in Gothic style; Church of San Lorenzo- burial place of the Medici family, the Medici Chapel - the work of the sculptor and architect Michelangelo.

Florence is like a beautiful woman, changeable and spontaneous, like spring, swift and free like the wind.

Florence translated from Italian means “play of colors”. Florence is a city in which the aroma of 15-16th century art and science, the aroma of the Renaissance hovers. Florence is a wonderful city of history, architecture, and painting. It was in Florence that the enchanting art of operatic music was born and it is no coincidence that one of the oldest music festivals takes place here in May!

Cathedral Square in Florence.

Piazza Duomo (Cathedral Square) is the main attraction of Florence.

Here is the famous Gothic ensemble, which consists of the Cathedral itself, the Baptistery and the Bell Tower.

Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore S.Maria del Fiore (duomo).

The Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore ranks 4th in size on the planet (length 153 meters, width from 38 to 90 meters).

The Cathedral is the result of the hard work of six generations and the calling card of Florence.

The laying of the foundation of the cathedral took place in 1296 under the architect Arnolfo di Cambio in the Norman and Gothic style. The dome of the cathedral was designed by the Renaissance architect Filippo Brunelleschi. The decoration of the facade was completed only in the 19th century (1871-1887) under the leadership of the architect Emilio de Fabris, in particular with donations from the Russian industrialist Demidov, whose coat of arms now adorns the wall near the main entrance.

The carved building made of white Carrara marble, pink Marrem and green marble from Prato is crowned by a huge terracotta-colored dome, as if absorbing the golden warmth of the setting sun. The pattern on the facade of the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore is a mirror image of the pattern of the nearby bell tower, created by Giotto in the 14th century. The pediment of the central portal is decorated with the image of the Madonna in glory. In its upper part, Sculptures of the Apostles guard the statue of the Virgin Mary and Child.

The interior decoration of the cathedral amazes and delights: the two-level dome creates the effect of the scale of the structure (1420-1436), and the huge stained glass windows of Lorenzo Ghiberti fill it with color and air.

The colorful floor of the cathedral was made of colored marble in the years 1525-1660.

The cathedral is also decorated with an unusual clock made by Uccello (1443), which counts down the time of centuries and now. Their “zest” is that the arrows move against the normal direction. From the observation deck of the cathedral dome, to which 460 steps lead, the whole of Florence opens below: tiled roofs with air conditioning on them so as not to spoil the facades of houses, cathedral domes, magnificent palace ensembles, gardens and parks, the water surface of the Arno River and its wonderful bridges.

Baptistery of San Giovanni.

Baptistery of San Giovanni (baptistery) – ancient building Florence, which has ancient roots since 897. It bears the name of Saint John the Baptist.

The Baptistery received its modern appearance by the 13th century, retaining the octagonal shape of the structure and marble cladding made of strips of light and green marble that covered the old sandstone masonry.

The interior marble decoration with columns of the Baptistery of San Giovanni is considered by tourists as a work of art. The dome is crowned with a glazed octagonal opening. The vault of the building is decorated with magnificent mosaics by Florentine and Venetian masters - a symbol of the Renaissance.

Sights of the Baptistery of San Giovanni:

• Funerary complex consisting of the tomb of Antipope John XXIII, decorated with his statue by the sculptors Donatello and Michelozzo, the sarcophagus of Bishop Ranieri and two Roman sarcophagi;
• Altar from the 13th century. Wooden Statue of St. Magdalene by Donatello (1435-1455);
• Baptismal spring from the 14th century (new), located near the wall.

The three bronze double-leaf entrance doors deserve special attention.

The southern doors are the oldest in the Baptistery of San Giovanni. This is the work of Andrea Pisano (1330). Episodes from the life of John the Baptist are shown here.

Northern doors is the work of Lorenzo Ghiberti from 1403-1424. The 28 reliefs he created are scenes from the life of Christ.

Eastern doors- These are the famous “Gates of Heaven”, which Michelangelo admired. 10 gilded bronze blocks with three-dimensional drawings telling biblical stories, also made by Lorenzo Ghiberti (1425-1452). The panels have now been replaced with replicas. The originals are kept in the Duomo Museum.

Bronze copy of these East Gate at the beginning of the 19th century it was installed in the Kazan Cathedral (northern entrance) of St. Petersburg in Russia, but some blocks were swapped.

Giotto's bell tower is a separate structure that is part of the ensemble of the Cathedral and Baptistery. Its construction began in 1266 under the leadership of the architect Giotto in a single architectural style with the cathedral.

But he did not manage to see his “brainchild” and the architect Francesco Talenti completed the work in 1387. The height of the tower is 81 meters. Mosaic inserts are woven into the ornament of the walls made of white and green marble, and sculptures, small twisted columns and Gothic-style openings make the bell tower graceful. At the very top of the tower there is Observation deck, which is reached by 414 stone steps of a narrow, steep spiral staircase. The bell tower has several tiers where you can stop and relax.

The enchanting view of the outskirts of Florence, where the dome of the Cathedral seems to hang and soar above the city, will reward you for extreme tourism!

Piazza del Signoria.

Piazza della Signoria is another landmark of the ancient center of Florence.

Piazza della Signoria owes its name to the Palazzo della Signoria (now Palazzo Vecchio). It began to be built in 1299.

Palazzo Vecchio Palazzo Vecchio.

Palazzo Vecchio is the dominant feature of the square and the entire city of Florence.

This rectangular stone palace seems to be carved from one piece of rock and impresses with its solidity. The power of the structure is softened by thin cornices along the facade, rounded window layouts and a crenellated gallery crowning the roof of the palace. In its vaulted arches there is a whole gallery of ancient coats of arms.

Giotto's Campanilla (bell tower) soars 94 meters into the sky like an arrow and is its continuation. In 1667, the campanile tower was decorated with a round clock made by master Lederle from the Bavarian town of Augsburg, which counts down the time of eras to the present day. The pattern on the tower and belfry is repeated by the jagged cascades of the main building of the Palazzo Vecchio.

A copy of the famous statue of David by Michelangelo (1501-1504) is installed at the entrance to the palace on the left, and on the right is the statue of Hercules defeating Cacus (by Baccio Bandinelli). These sculptures are symbols of the freedom of the Florentine Republic, which existed for more than three centuries (1193-1530).

The original statue of “David” (a four-meter athlete) is located in Florence at the Academy of Fine Arts.

Two works by Donatello also adorn the Piazza della Signoria:

• Sculpture “Judith with the Head of Holofernes” (1455-1460);
• Statue of "Mardzocco" (lion with an iris on a shield and the coat of arms of Florence).

Loggia Lanzi.

Loggia Lanzi – museum of sculptures of mythological ancient heroes under open air. 15 sculptural compositions and statues are world-famous masterpieces of architecture. In the depths of the loggia, against the wall, there are 6 antique female statues.

The central place is occupied by the sculptural composition “Hercules and the Centaur” by Giambologna (1559). The eyes of tourists are attracted by the delightful “stone engravings”: “The Rape of the Sabine Women” by Giambologna (1583), the ancient Greek sculpture “Ajax with the body of Patroclus”, “The Rape of Polyxena” by the sculptor Pio Fedi (1856).

The only original is the bronze statue of “Perseus with the Head of Medusa” by Benvenuto Cellini (1553).

The rest of the works are copies, and the originals are kept in the Bargello Palace and the Uffizi Gallery.

Designed by the architects Andrea Orcagna, Francesco Talenti and Bencio di Cione in 1376-1382, the Corner Covered Gallery with its graceful arcades on pylons and staircase steps was originally intended to host public ceremonies and meetings during the Florentine Republic. At one time, it was a guard post for the Lanzi, the lancers who guarded the entrance to the palace. Later in the 16th century, sculptures by famous Italian masters were exhibited there to please the eyes of the ruler Cosimo I de' Medici, Duke of Tuscany. Today the Covered Gallery is known as Loggia Lanzi (Loggia Orcagna) and is one of the landmarks of Florence, closing the Piazza della Signoria from the southwest. Under the openwork slope of the loggia, in trifoliums, there are medallions with relief images of the “Virtues” according to the drawings of A. Gaddi (1384-1389).

The Neptune Fountain is a decoration of Piazza della Signoria.

It was created by the architect Bartolomeo Ammanati for the wedding of Francesco I de' Medici in 1570.

The center of the sculptural group of the fountain is a figure made of white Carrara marble of the ruler of the seas, Neptune, controlling four sea horses, on which tiny droplets of water sparkle in the rays of the Tuscan sun. The parapet of the fountain is framed by mythical deities and fauns made of bronze.

The bronze equestrian statue of Duke Cosimo I de' Medici by the sculptor Giambologna (1594) gracefully fits into the ensemble of attractions in Piazza della Signoria in Florence.

Uffizi Gallery in Florence.

The Uffizi Gallery is the main repository of works of art in Florence and one of the famous art galleries on the planet.

The Uffizi Gallery is housed in the Palazzo Uffizi, a palace that stretches from the old Palazzo Vecchio in Piazza della Signoria to the Arno River embankment overlooking famous bridge jewelers (Ponte Vecchio). The palace building consists of two parallel buildings, connected by another building with an arcade and a covered passage with huge stained glass windows, which overlooks the Arno River embankment.

Its construction, commissioned by the powerful Medici family, began in 1560 by the architect Giorgio Vasari and lasted 20 years. The U-shaped building harmoniously combines gray stone and white Florentine plaster in its exterior decoration. Initially, it was intended for administrative purposes in order to gather offices, craft guilds, and an archive under one roof. This is one of the famous buildings of its time.

The history of the Uffizi Palace as a museum dates back to the mid-16th century. In 1581, at the Uffizi, by order of Duke Francesco I de' Medici, the open gallery on the second floor was glazed and all valuable rarities and artistic monuments, as well as Medici family collections from Florentine palaces or obtained from old churches, were transferred here. The collection of antique statues is a pioneer of the palace. After Vasari's death in 1574, his successor Bernardo Buontalenti completed the construction of the Uffizi Gallery. Fulfilling the wishes of Francesco I de' Medici, the architect Buontalenti created a new octagonal hall, the Tribune, a repository where the main treasures of the Medici family were collected. The center of the exhibition was an ebony cabinet with an octagonal shape (similar to the hall). This "little temple" of Francesco I was inlaid with plates of gilded silver and relief images praising the duke's exploits. Light entered the room through the dome rising above the vault, creating an intriguing contrast in the play of light and shadow. After the last representative of the Medici clan, Anna Maria Ludovica, donated it to Florence in 1737, the gallery became a museum and the property of the people.

The Uffizi Gallery was declared Italy's first public museum in 1769.

The Uffizi Gallery and the Self-Portrait Gallery of the Vasari Corridor are the bright colors of music in painting (art gallery), the sonorous chords of which are ancient sculptures and monuments of applied art. The entrance to the Vasari Gallery is located between rooms 25 and 34.

The Venus de Medici is the most famous statue in the collection of sculptures housed in the Uffizi Gallery in Florence.

The basis of the museum is the private collection of the Medici house, collected over three centuries of their reign: Italian painting of the 13th-18th centuries of the Florentine and Venetian school.

The Uffizi Gallery delights with halls with antique sculptures, a collection of tapestries, a cabinet of drawings and engravings, and a gallery of self-portraits. The paintings of northern Italy, as well as French, German, Dutch and Flemish paintings, are an undeniable decoration of the halls of the Uffizi Palace.

Masterpieces of the Uffizi Gallery:

• "Ognisanti Madonna" by Giotto;
• “The Annunciation” (1490), “Slander”, “Birth of Venus”, “Allegory of Power”, “Spring”, “Madonna and Child with an Angel” by Sandro Botticelli;
• “The Annunciation” (1472-1475), “Adoration of the Magi” (1481) by Leonardo da Vinci;
• Tondo "Holy Family" by Michelangelo. This composition in a circle is the only pictorial work of the sculptor outside the Sistine Chapel of the Vatican in Rome;
• "Venus of Urbino" by Titian;
• “Bacchus”, “Sleeping Cupid” by Caravaggio;
• "The Baptism of Christ" by Verrochio;
• "Madonna and the Goldfinch" by Raphael.

In 1905-1924, the Uffizi Gallery was reorganized, the consequence of which was the systematization of paintings by era, master, school and artistic movement. In 1988, the exhibition space on the first and second floors tripled, as the state archive that was previously located here received a new residence in another building. After a bomb explosion near the Gallery in 1993, repair and restoration work was carried out. The exhibition area doubled in 2006 due to the opening of additional premises and new halls, which housed works of art from the storerooms.

Today, the exhibition of the Uffizi Gallery consists of more than 2,000 works of art (another 1,700 are in storage) and occupies 45 halls, with total area 135 thousand sq.m. More than 1.5 million tourists visit it annually.

Vasari Corridor- a private passage for the Medici family from the Palazzo Vecchio through the Uffizi Gallery and the Ponte Vecchio bridge to the Pitti Palace on the opposite bank of the Arno River, ending in one of the grottoes of the Boboli Gardens.

Today is here "Gallery of self-portraits of great European artists", which contains more than 700 portraits.

The list of artists whose self-portraits are placed in the Vasari Gallery takes several pages. Among them: Durer, Rembrant, Rubens, Velazquez.

Russian names also appear in the portrait gallery: Kiprensky (1819), Repin, Ivan Aivazovsky (1874), Boris Kustodiev (1912), Victor Ivanov (1983). After restoration, the Vasari Gallery was reopened to the public on August 21, 2012.

Palazzo Pitti Palazzo Pitti.

Palazzo Pitti is a complex of museums gathered under one roof. The palace was built for the family of the Florentine merchant Pitti in the 15th century, and a century later, the Medici family bought it from their descendants. Today Palazzo Pitti is the largest museum in Florence.

Sights of Palazzo Pitti:

• Palatine Gallery – painting of the 16th-17th centuries;
• Silver Museum;
• Gallery of marble busts of ancient emperors.

The Boboli Gardens are adjacent to the Pitti Palace and are located on the slopes of Boboli Hill. They charm tourists with their fountains, sculptures and views of Florence.

The Ponte Vecchio bridge is one of 10 bridges in Florence, spanning the Arno River at its narrowest point. In chronicles, the first mention of the bridge dates back to 996.

Ponte Vecchio ( Old Bridge) has retained its stone appearance since the 14th century and has never been destroyed, even during the Second World War.

Ponte Vecchio - Golden Bridge of Florence. Since 1593, by decree of the Grand Duke of Tuscany Ferdinand I Medici, the right to trade on the bridge belongs only to jewelers.

View from the Uffizi Gallery to the PonteVecchio bridge

Ponte Vecchio is a three-arched stone bridge with an open platform in the center, which offers a wonderful view of the city, the Arno River and other bridges. Ponte Vecchio is lined with jewelry shops and small shops that look like bunches of rowan berries stuck to it on both sides. Above the buildings there is a covered gallery (the kilometer-long Vasari corridor), created by the architect George Vasari specifically to connect the two residences of the Medici family Palazzo Vecchio, the Uffizi Gallery and the Palazzo Pitti Palace, located on opposite banks of the Arno River. Today the Covered Gallery of the Ponte Vecchio is the largest portrait gallery in Florence.

Like the glitter of gold, the red-orange, pink-tinged colors of the sunset are the first harbingers of twilight. For 6 centuries, every evening, jewelry shops are closed with heavy wooden shutters, so that at 10 o’clock in the morning, adapting to the leisurely rhythm of the city, they open again and dazzle tourists and residents of Florence with the sparkle of gold and silver items, watches and accessories. The prices and assortment here are great!

The Goldsmiths' Bridge in Florence is also famous for the fact that here Dante Alighieri first saw his Beatrice Portinare!

Church of Orsanmichele.

The Church of Orsanmichele (14th century) is one of the most amazing churches in Florence, unlike a temple. It has a cubic shape and is located on Via dei Calzaioli, the only pedestrian street in Florence.

In the 8th century, on these lands there was a convent with the Church of St. Michael the Archangel near the monastery garden, hence the name “San Michele in Orto” or “Orsanmichele”. In 1290, according to the design of the architects Francesco Talenti and Arnolfo di Cambio, on the site of what was destroyed in 1240 old church A one-story building (loggia) was built to serve as a grain market. On one of the columns, in memory of the temple, an image of the Virgin Mary was installed, which had miraculous powers.

In the 14th century the building underwent numerous reconstructions:

In 1380, two more floors were added, the arches of the first floor were filled with stone, and the market was moved to another location. The third floor becomes the city granary, and the first floor is occupied by the church. The building also becomes the center of craft workshops. 14 guilds decorate the exterior of the temple with statues of patron saints of the arts, inviting the best masters of the early Renaissance to do this work.

The facade of the building fascinates with elegant window decorations in the European Gothic style, openwork stone processing, medallions with the coats of arms of the guilds and the Florentine Republic, arcades on the first floor and sculptural images of Saints made by masters in the 15th century:

• John the Baptist, Matthew and Stephen by Ghiberti;
• Mark and George by Donatello;
• Two sculptures of St. Philip by Nanni di Banco;
• St. Peter by Brunneleschi;
• St. Luke by the sculptor Giambologna (17th century);
• Sculptural group “Assurance of Thomas” by Verrocchio.

Today, copies are displayed here, and the originals can be seen in the museum, which is located inside the church.

The interior of the temple attracts the attention of tourists with frescoes of the patron saints of the guilds by Mariatto di Nardo, Lorenzo di Bicci, Franco Sacchetti and stained glass windows by Niccolo Pietro Gerini (1395-1405).

The main attractions of the Church of Orsanmichele are:

• Altar of Saint Anne with marble sculptures of the Virgin, Child and Saint Anne by Francesco de Santalo (1526);
• "Madonna and Child" by Bernardo Daddi (1347);
• Colored Marble Tebernacle “Madonna della Grazie” by Andrea Orcagna (1349-1359)

The heavy stone ceiling is balanced by large patterned windows.

The “symbol of dreams” in Florence is the “Boar” fountain.

Florence is an immense world of beauty, where every day your wishes come true!

The “symbol of dreams” in Florence is the “Boar” fountain! It flaunts next to the New Market in the city center, where there are shopping malls with leather goods and groceries right on the street. There are always a lot of tourists, musicians and artists here. Water flows in a thin stream from the mouth of a bronze sculpture of a pig. According to tradition, you need to make a cherished wish, rub the polished muzzle with your hands and put a coin under the pig’s tongue. The coin will fall out under his hooves onto the iron grate: if it slips through the narrow openings, then the wish for wealth and good luck will certainly come true. Many tourists make a wish to return here again, because in Florence they leave a piece of their soul!
The antique original of the “Boar” is made of marble and is located in the Uffizi Gallery.

Take an exciting trip to Florence! This will highlight your sense of style and inspire you to leisure and new impressions! Find out the cost of living in hotels in Florence for the travel dates you are interested in and

Tuscany is one of the world's largest wine producing regions. For several centuries, the economy of Florence was based on the cultivation of grapes. Now this industry is somewhat inferior to heavy industry, but continues to lead in agriculture. Carefully grown south of the city in the Chianti region, the Sangiovese grape remains popular and is considered one of the world's most celebrated grapes.

The city of Florence can easily compete with Milan or Rome for the title of “high fashion center.” Many well-known companies have their own representative offices here, for example, Ferragamo and Gucci. In all areas of the city you can find elite clothing stores, the variety and richness of goods in which can surprise even the most sophisticated fashionistas. Local textile factories collaborate directly with top designers from Milan, Rome and Paris.

Tourism also constitutes a significant source of income in the city treasury. The largest number of guests arrive between April and October. At this time, favorable conditions for long-term hiking weather, pass various exhibitions, festivals and conferences. There really is something to see here: more than 80 museums are open, a huge number of art galleries and exhibition halls are open, and on every street and alley you can find magnificent sculptures or frescoes.

Tip: The best products of the Florentine industry are leather accessories (wallets, belts, shoes, bags) and natural cosmetics. The latter can be purchased at almost any pharmacy, where they are prepared according to an old recipe. All leather goods are sold in textile stores, and even with modest financial resources, they will offer you an interesting and inexpensive option.

Blooming capital of the region

Julius Caesar is considered the founder of the city of Florence. According to archaeological data, it was he who in 59 BC. organized a settlement for legionnaires near the Arno River. Later it received the name “Florentia”, which means “blooming”. Like many Italian cities Florence has experienced many tragic moments in its history: wars, barbarian raids, civil strife and devastation.

It managed to emerge from prolonged stagnation and decline only in the 9th century. The most developed at this time were weapons, weaving and leather production, banking and trade. Local bankers have managed to gain trust not only in their homeland, but also far beyond its borders. Soon monarchs from all over the European continent began to use their services. The heyday of the city came with the coming to power of the Medici dynasty. Artists, sculptors, scientists and architects began to come here to live, study and create.

Modern Florence fully lives up to its name. It is filled with greenery and a wide variety of flowers, which are sold everywhere: in shops, small kiosks, at the market, at the entrance to a theater, museum or restaurant. In all cafes, there are always vases with roses, daisies, etc. on the tables, and there are certainly flower beds near the benches on the streets.

Florence - a city of sculptors and painters

Florence amazingly combines the latest achievements of civilization and vibrant life modern city and the unique beauty of the Middle Ages. While walking along its streets, you get the feeling that the past is quite tangible and real. After all, here, for example, the very same building has been preserved, near the walls of which Dante wrote his “Divine Comedy”, or the workshop where Michelangelo carved the statue of David from marble. And the history of the city is connected not only with these two surnames. It was the home of Boccaccio, Brunelleschi, Leonardo da Vinci, Donatello and many others. You can look at the rich heritage of artistic treasures of that time in the Uffizi Gallery, the city's most famous museum.

Each part of Florence has its own church, built in a special architectural style. The most interesting are the Basilica of San Lorenzo, the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, the Basilica of Santa Croce and Giotto's Bell Tower.

The only thing that cannot be found in the city in great variety is crazy discos. Although, if you really want to dance, then in the center of Florence there are several establishments where entertainment shows with fireworks, foam and a sea of ​​alcoholic drinks are held every night.