| If you are planning to visit
Florence, Italy you will have a tremendous opportunity to take in
some of the most uplifting and exciting sites in all of Italy. The Galleria
degli Uffizi holds the most important art collection found in Italy. The
Uffizi Gallery is located in the majestic Uffizi Palace and houses the
Medici art collection that Florence received in 1737. Medici bequeathed
the collection to Florence with the condition that it should never
leave the city. Botticelli’s mythological arts, the Birth of Venus and
Primavera and Leonardo Da Vinci’s Annunciation are found here. The end
of the gallery holds works from the well renowned artists Titian, Tintoretto,
and Raphael. The Gallery is opened from Tuesday thru Sunday with late hours
on Saturday nights.
The Piazza del Duomo is probably
the most visited spot in Florence. This magnificent dome took 150
years to complete, and was built under the provision that it be the largest
house of worship in all Christendom. The basilica was designed by Filippo
Brunelleschi, and its exterior facing polychrome marble panels are found
in varied shades of green and pink. The Campanile bell tower stands gracefully
beside the Duomo, decorated by two garlands of bas-reliefs, which are strung
around the tower’s rose hued façade. Sculptures of the Prophets
and Sybils, carved by Donatello sit high above. Viewing the Duomo is taking
a trip back centuries to relive the beauty and splendid architecture and
art forms of worlds past. The Cathedral Museum opens on a varied schedule,
while the Campanile is open daily at various times throughout the seasons.
Admission to the Cathedral is free, and the Dome, Museums, Campanile, and
Baptistery carry small fees.
The Galleria dell`Accademia
holds Michelangelo’s David. This large and beautiful statue bring pride
to the city’s Accademia Gallery. The statue was carved from only one block
of marble by Michelangelo in 1502. Also found in the Galleria are his unfinished
works “Slaves”. The Galleria is open from Tuesday thru Sunday at various
times depending on the day of the week.
The Museo Nazionale del Bargello
was formerly Florence’s jail and torture chamber. Works by Cellini,
Donatello, and Michelangelo can be found inside the palace and overflow
into the majestic courtyard. Also found at the Museo are two bronze panels
depicting the Sacrifice of Isaac, by Ghiberti and Brunelleschi. The Museo
is open most days, but closed on alternate Sundays and Mondays.
The Museo di San Marco was
home to Fra Angelico and Girolamo Savonarola. Savonarola is best remembered
for his preaching of damnation and the request that Florentines burn their
books and paintings on the Bonfire of the Vanities. The Corsini Gallery
holds a painting of the monk, showing him burned at the stake in Piaza
della Signoria. The works of Fra Angelico can be found here, including
the Annunciation, at the head of the stairs, which is a representation
of the virgin Mary’s fear when she learns of her role in the birth of Christ.
This Museo is also closed on alternate Sundays and Mondays, but open other
days of the week.
Although these are the most
visited sites in Florence, they are by far not the only things to
behold in this historically important city. Pricing for all attractions
can be found, either at the site itself, or by checking with your hotel.
The only problem with sightseeing in Florence may be the lack of
time to see everything there is to see. This amazing city of art and culture
may take days to complete. Note everything that you want to view, and make
a list of the most important stops. You may not have time to see all there
is to see, but you should have time to visit the top sightseeing spots.
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