Unforgettable Experiences in Florence Tuscany

Florence, the capital of the Tuscany region, is one of the historical and cultural significances in the whole world. In the past, Florence is a part of the Roman Empire but later separated and being developed into a thriving medieval sector as a community.

The development in different sectors of the city is an ongoing process, especially focusing on the Tourism sector which has become the most important part of the economy of Florence. The number of tourists every year in Florence is almost 10 million according to statista.com.

What to do: 10 things to see

Apart from Tourism and site visits there are lots of cool stuff to do as well. Below there is a brief description of the 10 best things to see. Let’s explore them.

1. Cathedral of Florence

The Duomo is known as the main heart of Florence. Duomo is the most celebrated cathedral in the whole world constructed in 1436. Though some part of Duomo was renovated until the 19th Century.

The location of the Cathedral is in the middle of the city and it has its boundaries in miles among all the other buildings.

The most scene artwork of the Cathedral is named as the Last judgement by Giorgio Vasari’s which is painted mostly by his students.

Furthermore, the interior inside the cathedral has many beautiful contrast, which speaks the grandeur and it has few interesting pieces as there is the clock above the entrance inside the church. The design of the clock is based in Ora Italica which shows 24th hours of the day and its still working.

2. Giotto’s Campanile

Lots of people think that Giotto’s Campanile has a connection with the Duomo but actually it has its own rights and it is separated from Duomo.

The external part of the tower featured with polychrome marble colored in green and pink. The Duomo is divided into five distinctions. The architecture is Gothic and one of the amazing masterpieces in the city. Apart from the decoration, there are 414 steps to climb in the tower which will take to have a full view of Florence and the Duomo..

The building is designed by the famous artist named Giotto. The construction was started 1334 to 1359. In 1343 Giotto died leaving the work incomplete and then the work was finished by Talenti by adding the last levels. There is plenty of sculptures, outstanding arts and excellent decorations inside the tower which really stands for an ultimate cornerstone in Renaissance art.

3. Basilica of Santa Croce

It has been built at the same time when the construction of the Duomo was done. It is also designed as a frontal faced which entails pink, red and green marble polychrome panels which also has white stone contrasted all together.

To take center position and frames of the square exactly perfect it is better to sit in the Piazza di Santa Croce.

The Cathedral of Florence gear up the density of the Florence in size although the Basilica aside enriches the beauty inside.

Along with the beautiful exterior, the interior has the tombs of Galileo, Michelangelo and Machiavelli who are the famous Renaissance artists and scholars in the world.

4. Basilica of San Lorenzo

The Basilica of San Lorenzo was built under the design of the famous and powerful family of Medici who ruled Florence for a long time in the era of the Renaissance.

Basilica of San Lorenzo is not as big and gorgeous as the Duomo but this church is interesting to visit as it has a big dome the roof designed with terracotta tiles.

Church interior artwork is basically decorated in a gold and white ceiling gilds. A plethora of frescos and sculptures frame the beautiful dome with a mixed pattern of different colors.

Inside the Chapel there are graves buried of the full ruling Medici Family which is very impressive.

5. Piazza della Signoria

The Piazza of Signoria is also an unforgettable place to visit as like Piazza of Duomo as it contains the historical arts and classical buildings.

In the southern of Duomo this Piazza is located where anyone can get an easy access for being found it in the center. The square is located to the south of the Piazza del Duomo and is easily accessible due to its central location.

There is a huge clock tower and statues of David and Hercules and also Palazzo Vecchio which is the main attraction of the Piazza.

In the left side there is a wonderful fountain of Neptune and in the right there is Loggia of Lanzi where you can see some sculpture and containing Perseus, Menelaus and Hercules.

In conclusion, the Cosimo Medici which is a grand statue stands close to the fountain of Neptune.

6. Galleria dell’Accademia

It is close to Piazza del Duomo and the Basilica San Lorenzo. The Gallery of the Academy is a museum which is a simple building that can not be noticeable.

But it has many arts from Renaissance including the authentic Michelangelo’s David sculpture.

The building is divided into different halls where you can find the history of 14th and 15th century Florence.

Finally, an old and unique musical invention is also found in the museum.

7. Statue of David

One of the most known and famous sculptures in the world it is not famous for its genitals but also famous for its magnificent creature by artist Michelangelo.

David was the first king of Israel and the statue is renowned as its detailed human form of art. David statue is symbolized as depicts the biblical hero.

There are two statues in the Florence one is a copy which is found in the Palazzo Vecchio and the main one  stands in the Galleria dell’Accademia.

8. Uffizi Palace and Gallery

This Gallery is near to the Piazza della Signoria a very well-known and famous art museum. Uffizi Palace is renowned as one of the most significant museums in the world.

The building has featured series of intricate columns and arches which are adorned with marble statues.

Many arts from Renaissance are collected inside the museum by renowned artists such as Botticelli, Da Vinci, Titian and Raphael.

The Baptism of Christ by Da Vinci, the Adoration of the Magi by Botticelli and the Sacrifice of Isaac by Caravaggio are inside in the Gallery as the collection of Renaissance art.

9. Palazzo Vecchio

It is an administrative building in Florence which was once a palace of the Signoria and a town hall.

It was constructed in 1299 by the same architects who built the Duomo and the church of Santa Croce. The front part of the building there are coasts of arms which represent families and individuals who are related to history.

There are a series of decorate rooms inside the palace one is Hercules Room and the other is the Room of Cybele.

10. Ponte Vecchio

It is an old bridge just made above the river Arno. This old bridge has many shops on the sides of the old bridge.

Taking a walk through the bridge looking at the fantastic structure and looking at the various shops and vendors you can search for jeweleries art dealers and souvenir shops.

At midnight, the bridge opens and gives beautiful views down the river Arno.

Besides, walking on the bridge you can also enjoy the design of the Ponte Vecchio by the Corridoio Vasariano to see the beautiful attachments.

What to eat in Florence: the 3 top dishes

Many best foods will raise your hunger with appetite in Florence. Some foods are too much traditional which you can not be stayed away from. To know the Tuscan cuisine residing in Florence once in life is joyful. There are lots of dishes famous in Florence but the top three are specified below.

1. Bistecca alla Fiorentina

Florence’s most famous dish is Florentine Steak which is known as Bistecca alla Fiorentina. The weight of the t-bone steak is generally 1-4 kilos.

It grilled above the fire and the color of the steak looks pink and bloody inside. It is welmed with seasoning salt, pepper and a little bit of lemon juice squeezed and cooked above the roasted chestnuts for the delicious taste and mouth watering smokey flavor.

There is the traditional steak the way chef made it in the same way, modification on flavours may be not applied. The huge stake is better to share with someone.

There is an option to choose the steak as it can be displayed uncooked in front of the table and you can choose the size. The price varies with the kilos and it will be mentioned on the menu.

2. Lampredotto

Lampredotto is the most historical dish in Florence from the medieval period. It is actually a sandwich made with very thin pieces of tripe inside.

The intestines have been boiled in the broth then seasoned and served in the plate and also in the form of sandwiches. It’s a street food dish and some people love it and some do not.

It can be served with spicy red sauce or herbal green sauce or even with a gravy with a bread which is little bit wet named as bagnato around the streets of Florence.

3. Ribollita

It is usually a soup. It is a mix of different things inside which one the most traditional dish in Florence.

Basically it is a Tuscan Dish made with bread, tomatoes, various vegetables, herbs, spices, beans (cannelli) and seasonsing of the ingredients.

This dish is famous from the medieval age: people had in the housed and most of the comfort and common food in Florence.

The translation of Ribollita is Reheated and there is another dish as like the same ingredients used named as Pappa al Pomodoro but it’s less wet and served as cold and mashed the ingredients together.

This post is also available in: Italian