Florence Sights

The Uffizi gallery is one of the most impressive art galleries in the world, and definitely a must-see while you are in Florence. It is housed in the beautiful Palazzo degli Uffizi, which was constructed from 1560 to 1581 under the patronage of Cosimo I de Medici to be the offices of the Florentine magistrates. The palace gradually evolved to become a showcase for the works of art belonging to the Medici family, and in a spectacular display of generosity, the last remaining member of the family, Anna Maria Lodovica, left the contents of the building to the city of Florence, with the agreement that they should never leave the city. It was officially opened to the public in 1765. The gallery has one of the most impressive art collections in the world, including works by Boticelli, da Vinci, Raphael, Caravaggio, and many other much acclaimed artists. Being one of Florence's most visited attractions, the entry lines can become very long - even so much as five hours during the summer months. As such, it is worth booking in advance.

The Basilica di Santa Croce is the largest Franciscan church in the world, noted for its construction as well as the eminent historical figures who are buried here. Allegedly founded by St Francis himself, the construction of the current church, built to replace an older building on the site, began in 1294, and the church was consecrated in 1442. Built in the austere style favoured by the Franciscans, it is nevertheless very striking, and its notable features are the number of chapels featured around the sides, which are stunningly decorated with frescoes. Artwork in the church includes works by Donatello, Maso di Banco, and Antonio and Bernado Rosellino, amongst many others. Famous people buried in the church include Michaelangelo, Marconi, Donatello, and Galileo, and there are other monuments to figures such as Florence Nightingale.

Ponte Vecchio (literally meaning 'old bridge' in Italian), is a medieval bridge spanning the Arno river at its narrowest point. The bridge still has shops along it, as was once commonplace. There has been a bridge on this site since around 966, and the current bridge has been in existence since 1345, after previous versions were destroyed by flooding. It was the only bridge in Florence to remain intact after the destruction of WWII, preserving its history for future generations. A common custom of visitors to the bridge was to lock a padlock to the railings along the bridge and throw the key into the river, which meant that lovers became eternally bonded. However, as this led to them causing damage to the bridge and having to be frequently removed, there is now a penalty in place to prevent this tradition continuing. Today the shops along the bridge consist of art dealers, jewellers and souvenir shops, making it an enjoyable stop to window shop and enjoy the view!

The Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore - otherwise known as the Duomo - is one of Florence's most important landmarks, with the distinctive orange dome featured in countless postcards, paintings, and photos of the city. Built on the site of a previous cathedral, the construction took place over 170 years, with a series of architects and designers. The magnificent dome, built from 1420 to 1436, uses over 4 million bricks. The Gothic interior of the church is magnificent and vast, featuring some 44 stained glass windows and many artworks depicting notable Florentines, and the interior of the dome is an incredibly impressive sight.