An City break to Florence is like a trip into the past. In addition to magnificent buildings, ancient bridges and countless places of worship, the city is also home to over 70 museums and each one is worth seeing. Florence is one of the most famous places in Italy and one of the most popular holiday destinations for city trips. One of the city's most famous sights is the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, whose construction began in 1294 and which, with its 107 meter high dome, is considered the city's landmark. Equally famous are the city's oldest bridge Old Bridge from 1565 and the Fountain of Neptune at the Accademia dell' Arte del Disegno.
The largest accumulation of world-famous works of art
If you believe the Florentines, Florence is home to the world's largest accumulation of universally known works of art - including in the museum of the famous Uffizi Gallery. The building was once built by the Medici and is now one of the most famous and oldest museums in the world. Its name comes from the word "uffici", which means office and goes back to the actual purpose of the house, which was originally intended as an administration building. All the important offices of the Grand Duchy of Tuscany should find their place in it. As an enthusiastic art collector, Francesco I de Medici later had the arcade on the upper floor of the house converted for his collection of paintings, countless sculptures as well as weapons and scientific equipment. In addition, workshops for goldsmiths and silversmiths, cosmographers and rooms for musicians and singers were built in the west wing of the Uffizi. In addition, he had perfumes made and poisons and antidotes brewed in the so-called Fonderia. Gardeners built a roof garden with a greenhouse on the loggia.
Today the painting collection with numerous works from the Italian Renaissance as well as paintings by Flemish, Dutch, French and German artists is on the 3rd floor of the Uffizi. While the buildings are connected on one side to the famous Palazzo Veccio, on the other side one reaches the Palazzo Pitti via the Ponte Veccio. In addition, the remains of a Romanesque church can be viewed on the ground floor of the Uffizi, which was demolished during the construction of the Uffizi.
The most famous sculpture in art history
In addition to the Uffizi, Florence is home to countless other museums, such as the Museo Nazionale del Bargello, the Museo Archeologico and the aforementioned Palazzo Pitti with its art collections. There are also countless smaller museums that store and exhibit art treasures of unspeakable value. The most famous sculpture in art history can be seen in the Galleria dell 'Accademia. Millions of visitors marvel at Michelangelo's David there every year. An equally well-known work of art by Michelangelo is the Pietà, which is located in the cathedral.
Last updated: 06.02.2024
