Florence, the cradle of the Renaissance

It is said that art is one of the most effective therapies for the soul thanks to its strong emotional load. When it comes to art, Florence is definitely one of the world’s most remarkable cities.

Situated is the west of Italy, the capital of Tuscany is considered the birthplace or the cradle of the Renaissance. It is that type of city which abounds in monuments, churches, art galleries and palaces and this is one of the reasons it was considered one of the wealthiest cities of that time.

Even if it seems to be a simple city at first sight, when you reach downtown you get the feeling that you are in the middle of an open air museum. Everywhere you look you find something to admire. From its imposing palaces and cathedrals to its stylish old buildings, Florence exhales a deep cultural and artistic vibe.

There are a lot of beautiful tourist attractions that can be visited in Florence and in case you want to enjoy all of them you should know that you’ll need at least a couple of weeks. Regardless of the time you have at your disposal, you cannot leave Florence without visiting some representative places.

The iconic image of Florence is definitely the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, a Renaissance masterpiece which charms its tourists with its imposing appearance. Also called the Duomo, this cathedral seems to dominate Piazza del Duomo together with Giotto’s Campanile (Campanile di Giotto) and the Baptistery of Saint John (Battistero di San Giovanni).

Not far from here you will find Piazza della Signoria, another lovely square which hosts Palazzo Vecchio, one of the most famous palaces in Florence. Palazzo Vecchio and Palazzo Pitti are actually the most representative buildings in the history of Florence.

If you are an art lover you cannot miss the Uffizi Gallery (Galleria degli Uffizi) and the Gallery of the Academy (Galleria dell’Accademia), two of the finest art museums in the world.

As you probably know, the Medici family was considered the most powerful family in Florence thanks to the great impact they had in the history of the city. Basilica di San Lorenzo which hosts the Medici Chapels (Cappelle Medicee) is definitely a place that should be on your list.

Situated in the square with the same name, Basilica di Santa Maria Novella is a church which definitely deserves your attention.

Last but not least, Basilica di Santa Croce is another symbol of Florence which displays its beauty in the lovely Piazza Santa Croce.

Besides all these beautiful palaces, cathedrals and buildings, Florence has a lot more to offer. This city has an important significance when it comes to fashion and it’s considered one of the most famous fashion capitals in the world. Shopping is a perfect way to relax and Florence has a lot to offer in this regard.

If you are not a shopping fan, another option to rest after visiting all those interesting tourist attractions would be walking along the lovely Arno river which cuts the old part of the city in two halves. This will be an incredible opportunity to admire some beautiful landscapes and take some amazing pictures in front of the famous Ponte Vecchio or the lovely Ponte Santa Trinita.

As you can see, Florence is a captivating city from many points of view and it will be a pity not to visit it if you ever reach this part of Italy.

Pictures speak louder than words and this is why I have selected the most representative ones hopping to impress you. Take a look and let yourself impressed by the lovely Florence!

1.Piazza del Duomo with the lovely Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore

2.The Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore