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Best Landmarks in Florence

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The Historic Center of Florence is the artistic and architectural pulse of the city. This treasure trove of iconic landmarks, nestled in the central quartiere, exemplifies Florence's Renaissance heritage dating back to the 13th Century. The Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore is a one of the largest churches in Italy, characterized by its majestic dome and Gothic facade. The cathedral complex features the octagonal Baptistry of St John, replete with mosaic ceilings and ornate doors, as well as the marble-encrusted campanile designed by Giotto. Explore this magnificent square, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and admire the work of Michelangelo and other greats at the Galleria dell'Accademia, St Lawrence's Basilica, Palazzo Pitti and Uffizi Gallery.

The church can be found in one of the most lively piazzas in the Oltrarno. The scrolled plaster facade is from the 18th Century, but is only the last phase of the building. The building was started in 1444 by one of the greatest creators of the Renaissance in Florence, Filippo Brunelleschi. Brunelleschi's geometric measurements are visible in the line of perspective that exists in the church's foundation, with its three naves which run down into the transept. The internal perimeter wall is punctuated with apses in which there are aristocratic family chapels. These are decorated with architectural motifs, altar pieces or paintings from different periods. Out of the many works, the ones which stand out are the decoration of the Corbinelli Chapel by Andrea Sansovino (1492) in the left transept, and in the right transept the altar piece of the Madonna on the Throne with Saints (1493-94) by Filippino Lippi. On the altar, there is the wooden crucifix which is attributed to Michelangelo.

The Palazzo's construction began in 1299 and it was enlarged repeatedly - in 1343, 1495 and lastly in the 16th Century by Giorgio Vasari and Buontalenti. It has been the symbol and the political center of the city for centuries. The Great Room of the Cinquecento stands out: it was designed as a reception area and decorated with frescoes celebrating Florentine victories against the other Tuscan cities and with sculptures depicting the Deeds of Hercules by De Rossi. On the upper floors the Quarters of the elements are noteworthy as are those of Eleonora of Toledo who was the wife of Cosimo I and to whom the little chapel by Bronzino is dedicated. The Sala dei Gigli and the Sala dell'Audienza, which has a marble entrance, are sumptuous. On the Mezzanine there is the Loeser collection of painted sculptures. It is recommended that you visit the upper balcony where you can enjoy a fabulous view of Florence. In front of the museum, you'll find a copy of Michelangelo's David.

Renowned for its panoramic views of Florence and the Arno valley, this terrace is a popular spot with locals and tourists. Created as part of major restructuring of the city walls, Giuseppe Poggi's sumptuous terrace is typically 19th-century. In 1871, Poggi designed a monument base dedicated to Michelangelo. The monument itself was to be composed of copies of Michelangelo's works, including David and the Medici chapel sculptures from San Lorenzo. When the terrace was finished, Poggi designed the hillside building, now a restaurant, as a museum for Michelangelo's works.

Designed by Giotto, the bell tower to the right of Santa Maria del Fiore was begun by the artist in 1334 but continued by Andrea Pisano (who modified part of the design) following Giotto's death in 1337. Francesco Talenti finally completed it in 1359. Originally the tower was linked to the Duomo via a passageway situated at the level of the first cornice but this was demolished before 1437. Reliefs carved on the side where the passageway once existed are later works by Luca della Robbia; Andrea Pisano's original stone reliefs can be seen in the Museo dell'Opera del Duomo. The concepts of universal order and redemption are recurrent themes; hexagonal tiles on the tower's lower level (now replaced by copies) portray scenes from daily human life whilst diamond-shaped reliefs on the upper level illustrate more ethereal subjects in the form of the Planets, Virtue, Liberal Arts and the Sacraments. There's no lift, but climbing the 414 steps to the top of the 85 meters (278 feet) tower is well worth the effort!

Built in the Middle Ages, the famous Piazza di Santa Croce is immediately recognizable, due to its beautiful rectangular shape. It is a vibrant heart of the city, thanks to the presence of many disco pubs and cafes lining its streets.

Aptly titled, "the cradle of the Renaissance," Florence boasts several of the world's prominent Renaissance structures, and the city's piazzas, or squares, are a stupendous personification of the Renaissance spirit. One such square is the Piazza della Santissima Annunziata, named after the Basilica della Santissima Annunziata, which lies to the northeast of the square. To the piazza's southeastern side lies the facade of the Spedale degli Innocenti, designed by Brunelleschi. Also, the piazza is home to a statue of Ferdinando I de' Medici, designed by Pietro Tacca, who also designed the two bronze fountains located here. A visit to this square is worth your while, not just for the architectural sights, but also for the various cultural events that are arranged here.

One of the most prominent art museums in the world - Uffizi Gallery, is located in the Uffizi Complex that dates back to 1581. Much of the collection was bestowed upon the state of Tuscany by the Medici family in the 1700s to ensure that the work of some of Italy's greatest artists would remain where it belonged for the benefit of its people. The gallery consists of 40 rooms showcasing the work of some of the world's most renowned Renaissance masters, including Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Raphael and Caravaggio and also includes Botticelli's Birth of Venus and Primavera. Works of distinguished Flemish, Dutch and German painters are also on display here. The corridors and ceilings are anointed with splendid frescoes and lined with 16th-century Roman sculptures. Originally built to house legislative and administrative offices, the Uffizi Complex is a work of art in itself, designed by the noted architect, Giorgio Vasari.

Outdone only by St. Peter's in Rome and St. Paul's in London, the Cathedral of Florence is the third-largest church in the world. Although the foundation stone of this architectural jewel was laid at the site of the Roman basilica of Santa Reparata in 1296, it remained structurally incomplete until 1436. The original Gothic design was laid-out by Arnolfo di Cambio, however, by the time it was complete, the cathedral came to be a collage of styles favored by the many commissioned to oversee its construction and the prevalent tastes of that moment in time. The majestic dome, one of the cathedral's defining features, is the ingenious work of Filippo Brunelleschi while the fresco that covers its interior is a vivid depiction of the Last Judgment envisioned by Giorgio Vasari. The neo-Gothic facade was added by Emilio De Fabris in the 19th Century - a masterpiece of green and pink marble, generous artistic flair and numerous sculptures. The fruit born of the loving devotion of some of Italy's most revered master artists, the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore is truly a vision beyond compare.

This pedestrian bridge is one of the city's most recognizable landmarks - a charming collection of jewelry shops that rests atop the mighty stone arches that span the Arno. The Ponte Vecchio, or Old Bridge, was built in 1345, but its architect is unknown. Until the 13th Century, the bridge was lined with shops of every kind, including butchers, fishmongers and tanneries, each adding to an overwhelming stench that eventually induced Grand Duke Ferdinando I to issue an edict replacing all shops with goldsmiths. Additional improvements were made when the Medici family moved to Palazzo Pitti in the 1500s and commissioned Giorgio Vasari to design and construct a separate passage for their use. The resulting overpass, dating back to 1565 above Ponte Vecchio's shops, is now known as the Vasari Corridor. Miraculously, Ponte Vecchio was the only one spared by the retreating Germans on August 4, 1944, and remains a revered historic landmark. Today, the bridge is a popular choice for evening strolls, sightseeing and jewelry shopping.

Piazza della Signoria has been the hub of Florence's political life since the Republic at the end of the 15th Century. This L-shaped square is surrounded by its most famous buildings. The Palazzo Vecchio, head of the Florentine government, the Galleria degli Uffizi and the Ponte Vecchio are some of the most landmarks around here. Look around you to see reproductions of Michelangelo's David and the original fountain of Neptune by Bartolomeo Ammannati. Enjoy a full view of the Piazza from the terrace of the Loggia dei Lanzi. The place is a good starting point to begin your tour of the city.

Piazza del Duomo is one of the most famous landmarks in Florence. Truly an architectural piece of beauty, it encompasses the art and history of medieval Italy, through its sheer design. A visit to this city is not complete without visiting the piazza's majestic cathedral 'Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore' with its remarkable dome that dominates the skyline. It is no wonder that tourists are spellbound and spend hours trying to capture the essence of this place through pictures.

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