 |
 |
 |
|
Florence Walking Tour
This Florence walking tour is designed for first time visitors who are staying in Florence. You get an orientation to Florence's historic city center while learning detailed information about the history of Florence and its many historic monuments and buildings.
After meeting your guide at your Florence hotel you head out on foot for a 3 hour walking tour. You visit the Piazza del Duomo which has been the religious center of the city since the 13th century. In this square you see the looming Gothic Cathedral whose Renaissance dome was designed by Brunellesci and at the time was a major advancement in architecture. Right nearby is Giotto's bell tower which is a free standing building. You also see the Baptistery with its bronze doors commonly referred to as the Gates of Paradise. Your guide will tell you about the history of these doors and why they are considered one of the masterpieces of the Italian Renaissance.
Next you visit the Piazza della Signoria which has been the political hub of the city for hundreds of years. In this square you see a copy of Michelangelo's David in the outdoor setting for which it was originally designed. In this same square you'll see the 14th-century Loggia, which houses several famous sculptures. Also on the square is the grand Palazzo della Signoria or Palazzo Vecchio, Florence's most famous and imposing palazzo, once home to the reigning Medici family.
Nearby you see the massive complex which houses the Uffizi Gallery, which houses the largest collection of Italian Renaissance paintings, making it the artistic center of Florence. For many people, the building itself is a piece of art.
Depending on time and your enjoy level, you might also visit Piazza Santa Croce. This square boasts the largest Franciscan church in Italy. The Santa Croce Church houses the tombs of great Florentines including Michelangelo, Machiavelli, the composer Rossini, as well as a memorial to Dante.
You end your tour with a walk over the famous Ponte Vecchio bridge which was built in 1220. This bridge crossing the Arno River is lined with shops that traditionally sell gold and silver. There is a passageway above the shops that connected the Palazzo Vecchio and the Uffizi Gallery to the Pitti Palace.
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
