Florence

Sep 1

Florence or Firenze, in Italian, is a city in Central-Northern Italy and the capital city of the Tuscany region. It is the most populated city in Tuscany with 400,000 and over 1.5 million in its metro.

Florence was a centre of medieval European trade and finance and the birthplace of the Renaissance.

If someone asked my recommendation for the best place in Italy….Florence.

Duomo- Santa Maria del Fiore

This is the structure pictured in every postcard that was ever made of Florence and is the heart and soul of the city and perhaps the greatest symbol of the Renaissance itself. It stand 376’ tall and is made from brick and marble. They began building in 1296 and completed in 1436.

https://duomo.firenze.it/it/38/cattedrale-di-santa-maria-del-fiore

Ponte Vecchio

This bridge goes back to Roman Times.

The Arno in Florence was the only bridge crossing that the Germans did not destroy during WW2. In the late 1500s Ferdinand I decreed that only goldsmiths and jewelers be allowed to have shops on the bridge.

Santa Croce Church

The world’s largest Franciscan church, Santa Croce is the final resting place for luminaries like Michelangelo, Rossini, Galileo and Dante.

Santa Croce Church Courtyard

Palazzo Vecchio

Built in the 12th century, the Palazzo Vecchio housed the powerful Medici family. You might recogonize it as the build Hannibal Lector gutted and threw out the police detective by his bowels.

Forbes ranked Florence as the most beautiful city in the world.

Florence Works of Art

All be honest….. I am not the biggest fan of art the world has ever seen, I have always appreciated the work of god versus that of man. With that said this place has things that will blow your mind! Some of the greatest paintings, statues and sculptures on earth are here.

Galleria dell'Accademia

The Statue of David located here as well as many other marvel sculptures of Michelangelo.

Piazza della Signoria

is a beautiful square centered among some of the top attractions

Uffzi Gallery

is one of the world’s greatest art museums

Plaza Lucchesi Florence

Is a great place to rest your head at night, loved it! It is right in the middle of all the action yet quite and relaxing right on the Arno River. The only thing it was missing was a couple of dumbbells to throw around but they did offer me a complimentary gym pass to a sister hotel down the street. http://www.hotelplazalucchesi.it/en/