Florence, Italy Attractions

Piazza Strozzi is set in front of Palazzo Strozzi in Florence . Built by the powerful Strozzi family in an attempt to rival the Medici, the large palazzo was designed by Giuliano da Sangallo and shows the influence of the earlier Palazzo Medici-Riccardi, which is also simple and restrained. The Palazzo is free to tour, except during exhibitions. To learn more, visit www.palazzostrozzi.org.

Il Duomo (or The Dome) refers to the dominating feature of the Florence Cathedral, the Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore that has come to symbolize Florence. The central figure of the skyline of Florence, Italy, the cathedral is an UNESCO World Heritage Site and is still the largest brick dome in the world. To learn more about the Florence Cathedral, visit www.operaduomo.firenze.it.

Stazione di Santa Maria Novella (Firenze SMN) is Florence's main regional and international train stations. More than 50 million people travel in and out of the Florence railway station each year. Located on the northern edge of the city, the station is part of the new high speed rail line to Bologna, which opened in 2009.

Piazza della Repubblica (or Republic Square in English) has been Florence's main city square since ancient times, when it was the site of the first forum. Framed by a grand arch, today the bustling city centre square is home to landmarks like the Column of Abundance, noted cafes, and elegant hotels.

Ponte Vecchio literally means “Old Bridge” and is the oldest surviving bridge crossing the Arno. Built in 1345, the landmark bridge was used by Cosimo I to cross between his home, the Palazzo Pitti, and his offices (the present-day Uffizi Galleries) without being exposed to assassination attempts. Later Medici evicted the butchers who had been tenants and installed goldsmiths in the bridge to avoid the smells of the meats. Today, the Ponte Vecchio is still home to Florentine goldsmiths.

Gallerie degli Uffizi (or Uffizi Galleries) is housed in the formers office “uffizzi” of the Medici. Boasting one of the world's finest collections, the Uffizi Galleries feature works by Leonardo da Vinci, Giotto, Michelangelo, Raphael, but perhaps its most famous work is Botticelli's Birth of Venus. To learn more about Florence's most famous museum, visit www.uffizi.firenze.it

Palazzo Pitti (Pitti Palace) and Boboli Gardens is one of Florence's largest palaces and is located in the Oltrarno, which translates to “across the Arno.” Built by Eleonora of Toledo, the wife of Cosimo de' Medici, who wanted to escape the dark family apartments the Medici kept in the Palazzo Vecchio, today, the Pitti Palace is home to an impressive array of museums. To learn more about things to do at Pitti Palace, visit www.firenzemusei.it.

Galleria dell' Academia is home to some of the finest masterpieces of the Renaissance. Notably, Michelangelo's original David, the colossal sculpture which symbolizes Florence and was moved from Piazza della Signoria in the 1800s. A highlight of any visit is the enigmatic “Slaves” of Michelangelo sculpture series. To learn more about one of Florence's most important museums, visit www.polomuseale.firenze.it/english/accademia.

Located in the Piazza della Signoria, the Palazzo Vecchio (or old palace) is a symbol of Florence and was famously the seat of both Florentine government and the Medici family, who resided there until moving to Pitti Palace. Today, Palazzo Vecchio is still the seat of the municipal government and features a museum, which may be toured. To learn more, visit www.museicivicifiorentini.it/en/palazzovecchio/.