Florence and the Renaissance.These two names are closely related to each other - they are practically inseparable. Every corner here hides the secrets of the Renaissance, the spirit of victory can still be felt here - victory over the Middle Ages! Great people worked in this city, those who inspired the world to new discoveries, who created immortal works of art, who showed people the world of beauty! Alberti and Machiavelli, Michelangelo and Galileo lived, built and died in this city. Dante Alighieri, the founder of the Italian language and Italian poetry, was born here, and many places in Florence are associated with this great man! Now we are not at all surprised that the famous French writer Stendhal experienced "culture shock" upon his arrival in Florence. And after him, many tourists have experienced and are experiencing this shock, trying to understand the magnificence of Florence - the city of the Renaissance. Over the centuries, Florence has not lost its appearance. The city is simply enchanting with its churches, palaces and quiet medieval streets.
Where to start - Uffizi Gallery
As paradoxical as it may sound, thisthe majestic city is not at all large in size. Give the sights of Florence a decent amount of time, and they will not remain in debt, revealing to you the secrets of the new birth of the world! The Uffizi Gallery is the most striking and memorable attraction of Florence. The gallery unites two buildings: the Mint, where gold coins were once minted, and the Church of San Piero Schieraggio, where Boccaccio and Dante once performed. Here you can admire the originals of Leonardo da Vinci and Rubens, Caravaggio and Titian, Perugia and Giotto. Only in the Uffizi Gallery can you see Michelangelo's work - "The Holy Family", as well as famous works by Raphael, Fabiano, and Botticelli. You will not find such a concentration of the best works of art anywhere else!
Early Renaissance
Palazzo Medici Riccardi is a palace builtby the famous architect Michelozzo di Bartolomeo back in 1444. Many palaces in Italy were built according to its model years later, buildings of this shape began to symbolize the early development of the Renaissance. Both the building and the courtyard are a regular tetrahedron, with fragrant lemon trees growing in the depths of the courtyard. The first floor of the palace was conceived as a symbol of the invincibility of the Medici - it was faced with rough stone. On this floor there were rooms for servants and a kitchen. The two upper floors served as residence for the royal family, their facade looks a little softer, it is made of smooth slabs. Unfortunately, the palace is not fully open to tourists, at the moment most of it is occupied by the city government. Another of the magnificent palaces of Florence - Palazzo Pitti, has a long and interesting history. Its owners have changed more than once, and the building itself has been rebuilt many times. There are several museums on the territory of the palazzo. The Palatine Gallery, which houses works by Titian and Raphael, Rubens and Velazquez; the Gallery of Modern Art, which features paintings by later Italian artists; the Silver Museum, the Costume Museum, and the Carriage Museum – these places will tell you about life in different eras, show you antique jewelry, as well as carriages and coaches from the 19th century.
The spiritual world of Florence
The most notable building in the city isFlorence Cathedral. Its dome rises above houses and parks – you can’t pass by this amazing holy place! In the 13th century, the best craftsmen took part in the construction of the cathedral, and the octagonal dome, ending with a spire, brought the cathedral worldwide fame. The highest point of the cathedral is more than ninety meters high, and the great Michelangelo himself created a machine that raised the ball crowning the dome. The cathedral is simply enormous, its size is amazing! Today it is the fourth largest in the world. In addition to its size, the Duomo Santa Maria del Fiori is famous for the works of art stored in it – “The Lamentation of Christ” by Michelangelo and “Mary Magdalene” by Donatello. You should definitely see these sights of Florence, and after viewing them, climb to the observation deck at the top of the Duomo – from here you can enjoy a wonderful view of the entire city! Continuing the walk through the spiritual places of Florence, one cannot ignore the Cathedral of the Holy Cross. Like all the sights of the city, the church, built in the Gothic style, keeps its secrets. The chapels of the temple, decorated with frescoes by Italian masters, attract tourists from all over the world, and not only them - great people are buried here: Galileo, Dante, Michelangelo. Machiavelli, and other famous Florentine residents. One of the oldest places in Florence is the Basilica of San Lorenzo, the church was consecrated in 393. The building of the temple received its current appearance much later, and acquired some Romanesque features. The church guards the peace of the great dukes of Tuscany - representatives of the Medici family. The marble tomb is decorated in the Baroque style, and two sarcophagi are decorated with statues brought to life by the famous Italian sculptor Tacca.
Entertainment for children
If you are traveling with children, take them tothe fairy-tale world of the country "Fabialandia". Here they can visit the wizard's castle, wander through a mysterious labyrinth, see the Lake of Dreams and a gold mine, and a large but good-natured caterpillar will take them on itself through a fantastic ant cave to the frog sea. Your little ones will be provided with a sea of positive emotions. In addition, you can place your child here for the whole day, and while he enjoys his fairy tale, you enjoy yours, taking a walk through the most interesting city in Italy.
Walking around the city ...
Be sure to visit Piazza della Signoria – hereThe most iconic sights of Florence are located here. Palazzo Vecchio – a palace that looks like a fortress, the Fountain of Neptune, built in the 16th century, copies of famous sculptures by Michelangelo and Giambologna, whose priceless originals can be seen in the city's museums – all this will be remembered forever. A walk around Florence is not just a tour of its sights. Here everyone will find something special for themselves. Visiting all its palaces, churches, galleries, you will feel how warmth spreads in your soul, how the awareness of beauty penetrates you to the very tips of your fingers, because the people who lived and died in this city left their mark on all the streets and houses, in all the gardens and parks. And if you look closely, you will see – they are still here, they left an indelible mark on all of Florence. Great people – a great city… A city that has seen a lot during its existence, the birth of a new culture and the change of religions, decline and wars, a change of power, and finally, an incredible rise in popularity that will never fade. It is impossible to see all the sights of Florence in one day, you need to come here for a long time, and pay special attention to each house, each corner of the city. Only then can you find out what Florence is - the sights of the Renaissance of which will exist forever! We recommend reading:
