When the French writer satered Florence, he completely “turned off” him. The city got it into a kind of ecstasy. His beauty engulfed him to such an extent that his heart went out of his chest until he felt tired to death and felt that faint.
The beautiful Tuscan city has such an effect on tourists – a disease from amazement from the many monuments they see. After all, in Florence, a medieval atmosphere or Italian Renaissance will accompany you at every step. Where to choose?
We will show you parts of the city that will amaze you most, and we will advise you to eat dizziness coming from so much splendor.
The judgment of Domov
The name Santa Maria del Fiore is most associated with Florence. It is a cathedral combining the Gothic temple and a Renaissance dome that dominates the city and its panorama. The beautiful facades are decorated with statues, cut -outs and monumental patterns. They created them from colored – white, red and green marble, thanks to which they look magical. Everybody tries to capture the magic. Especially on Duomo Square there is too much noise.
Hundreds of tourists try to make the entire cathedral fit into a single shot. It is not easy at all. A temple with a length of 153 meters, a width of 90 meters and a height of 90 meters is one of the largest in the world. All around him, among enthusiastic tourists, saleswoman of different somarin wins. They are intensively offering selfie bars, what if someone wanted to try to “put” their face in the shot. Capture your expression at the entrance to the cathedral with beautiful stained glass, complex frescoes, statues and amazing mosaic floor.
Even this is not the surprises of the temple do not end up. There are accessible baptisms, terraces from where you can see marble tiles and brick roofs of side ships, dome or bell tower. However, you can only visit these spaces with the ticket. If you do not secure it, it is difficult to get in. The dome and belfry are particularly popular, although more than 400 steps lead to both.
Unfortunately, you will be rewarded by the view of the temple and the city. Many church tower, which has more than 70, will show from the height. These include the Basilica of Di Santa Croce, the Neo -Gothic Franciscan Church with Giott frescoes and the tombs of Michelangelo and Galilee or the Basilica of Santa Maria Novella, Dominican Church. Gothic and early Renaissance.
Nearby is the Basilica of San Lorenzo, one of the largest Florentine churches. Although the square looks crazy and untreated, from the other side, and especially inside it looks spectacular. Interestingly, in his bowels, all the rulers of the Medici family found the last resting place.
From the center of the religious power to the palaces of the world’s power
In ancient times it was belonged, it demanded that the city had the most magnificent tabernacle. The more flashy and decorated it was, the richer the city was the richer. Modesty was not worn even in the case of settlements of the rulers of cities and countries.
Florence is no exception, which you realize just a short distance from the cathedral, on Piazza della Signoria. For centuries it has been a political center of the city, where it has been negotiated today. For architecture lovers, it is a feast for the eyes. There are so many remarkable buildings that you don’t know where to look.
Palazzo Vecchio, which resembles strength, asks the most attention. Its 94 meters high tower is unmistakable, another attractive prospect of Florence. They also invite the luxury rooms of the palace to visit, each of which is something special.
From them you can move smoothly to Loggie Dei Lanzi, a gallery in the open sky. Under the wide arches of the open hall you can see Persea with the head of jellyfish, Hercule of the tame centaur and many other statues.
Some are original, others are replicas. It is also David by Michelangelo, who “stands” in the middle of the square. The company makes him a riding statue of Cosima I and Neptune Fountain. If you are not enough for you, look into Gallerie Dell’accademie, which, in addition to the original David, hides sculptures, icons and paintings.
This is also the popular Uffizi Gallery. Her collection was founded by the Medici and bequeathed it to the city on condition that the works never leave the boundaries of Florence. Neither of these galleries resided on Piazza della Signoria. Home Davida is located in the streets from the other side of the cathedral, the Uffizi Gallery lies on the river Arno and Most Ponte Vecchio. You need to go through it to get to the building that the Medicii bought and expanded as their new headquarters – Palazzo Pitti. Today it is a museum with important art collections.
City behind the bridges
The family did not give up the original mansion on Piazza della Signoria, just renamed it to Vecchio, ie old. He used both places, so Cosimo had a secret journey. Vasari’s corridor was created, a raised, covered and elegant transition that connected the Palace Vecchio and Pitti.
The family could move between them and avoid the simple people. The corridor today beautifies the paintings and is in a limited number accessible to tourists.
Without restrictions, you will walk around Ponte Vecchio, the most famous Florence bridge. It is beautiful and historic. It was built at the end of the 14th century. It used to flow through it because it was a butcher’s aisle. However, the Medici decided to allow only the workshops of goldsmiths and jewelers there. It keeps elegance, albeit with souvenir shops and a crowd of people.
They are attracted by street artists, atmosphere or view. Many will stop to enjoy the view of the Arno River, whose banks are connected by other bridges. The next time is the closest – Ponte Alle Grazie or the Renaissance Ponte Santa Trinita, also because they show Ponte Vecchio from other angles. All bridges lead to the district of OLTRERNO.
Pleasant is her square Piazza di Santa Felicitià, where the arcs of Vasari’s corridor show up at the small Romanesque church. This indicates that Palazzo Pitti is close. The district will also reveal what green Florence is. OLTRERNO is home to several large and beautiful gardens. The largest is Boboli, designed for the Medici.
It is decorated with fountains, sculptures, amphitheater, Boontalenti cave or Cyprus lined street leading to the island garden. Especially in the spring, when everything blooms, Giardino Bardini and its purple pergola covered with a wisteria.
They also enchant fruit orchards, rose gardens and a baroque staircase that leads to a beautiful view of the city. The OLTRERNO quarter is hilly and offers several places where you will have Florence in your palm. While Bardini and Boboli gardens are paid (see), Giardino delle Rose is free. Green space with terraces full of roses also inspires the view. Florence is a beautiful IZ square Piazzale Michelangelo, where the bronze replica of Michelangelo’s David stands.
Florence tastes
OLTRERNO is a great place if you want to relax with a good meal. The district invites to a picnic. You can sit in the shade of trees and you can tasting in the gardens of Boboli and Bardini (attention, not everywhere) or on the terrace of the church of San MINIATO al Monte over Piazzale Michelangelo.
Picnic supplies, local specialties and pastries are purchased in delicacies that speak pizzicheria or salumeria. If you want fresh fruit, be tempted by the market. There are several of them in Florence.
The largest and most famous is Mercato Centrale near the cathedral. He has a live food court, down stalls with Tuscan specialties. Which one to taste?
Cheeses such as sheep pecorino toscano and sausages are declared. The carnivores will be licked to Sali, prosciutto Toscano, salami from a wild boar or the specialty of Finocchion (Salam with a fencing of fennel). They also fill the crispy bread of the schiac.
Cheese and sausages will be greatly complemented by a glass of wine Chianti. Tuscan red wine with fruit tones perfectly tunes with other Florence delicacies. For example, they are pasta with fresh truffles, gently flavored with butter and parmesan.
Meat lovers will enjoy Bistecca Alla Fiorentin, from the outside dark and crispy, inside the bloody Florentine steak.
Also excellent is the pici al ragù. It is created by meat, wild boar or beef, mixed with coarse, hand -shaved pasta in the sauce that is similar to spaghetti. Florence also has less tempting meat specialties – in different ways of prepared guts. In Trippaio, in a wheelchair or stand, they offer, for example, lampredotto, Panini with holdings.
In addition to fast food, Florence also has a number of diverse restaurants. Very popular are those with a terrace where on a sunny day or warm evening it is harder to find a table. Make a booking and enjoy good food with a look at the illuminated church on Piazza Santo Spirito.
On the opposite bank of the Arno River, Piazza della the Republic, a square, which is synonymous with elegant cafes and pasteria. Try Cappuccino and Cornetto (Croissant) there. And during the day do not despise Gelat, the traditional Tuscan ice cream from the fruits that have the season.
From Florence to Tuscany
When does the Florence season have when to visit it? The city, like others in Europe, is the busiest in the summer. Then there are many people hot and everywhere. The worst is August, when the home team goes on vacations.
The ideal period is autumn, the time of harvesting grapes if you love wine. If you like the blooming gardens more, come in the spring. Just avoid Easter, it will be extremely full.
You can arrive by air, direct connection from Vienna. However, Florence Airport does not offer options if you have a lower ticket budget. Low -cost companies fly to Bolone or Pisa, which are also available from airports around Slovakia.
From both cities, you can get to Florence easily and quickly, within an hour by train. Italy has an extensive network of railways, ideal for getting to know other beauty of Tuscany.
He invites Lucco, a peaceful city with perfectly preserved medieval walls or a medieval Siena jewel. It is also beautifully known AREZZO, a city full of art, history and still local atmosphere. Far, although for the transfer, there is no Etruscan Volterra, San Gimignano and its 14 tall stone towers or Cortonaso on a hill, looking at the magical Tuscany landscape.
If you want to experience the slightly undulating slopes of Tuscany almost without having to leave Florence, visit Fiesole. The charming city on the hill will excite with ancient Roman ruins and views of Florence from a distance. After all, it lies only about 20 minutes by bus from its center. If you are more active, you will appreciate the option to Fiesole. The picturesque, about 6 and a half kilometers long hike indicates that Tuscany has natural treasures in addition to historical jewels.
About the author of Jane Kristeková:
It discovers the corners of our planet on the ocean ship. You can find other stories from her roads and unusual places on her blog.
