Firenze, Italy
43° 45' N 11° 15' E
Jun 14, 2006 13:19
Distance 25km

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Florence

Text written in: English


Florence (Italian: Firenze) is the capital city of the region of Tuscany, Italy. From 1865 to 1870 the city was also the capital of the Kingdom of Italy. Florence lies on the Arno River and has a population of around 400,000 people, plus a suburban population in excess of 200,000 persons. The greater area has some 956,000 people. A center of medieval European trade and finance, the city is often considered the birthplace of the Italian Renaissance and was long ruled by the Medici family. Florence is also famous for its fine art and architecture. It is said that, of the 1,000 most important European artists of the second millennium, 350 lived or worked in Florence.
Most agree that the best place to start is the Piazza del Duomo (the cathedral square). The Cathedral dominates the Florence skyline and defines the city. View the three bronze doors of the Battistero (baptistery), enjoy the view from the top of the Cathedral and visit the Museo dell'Opera del Duomo (the Cathedral Museum).

The most obvious place to visit next is the Piazza della Signoria situated near the river, where the number of treasures to view is immense but also remember to look out for the Palazzo della Signoria (Palace of the Lords) also know as Palazzo Vechio (Old Palace). On the right flank of the same square is the majestic Galleria degli Uffizi (Uffizi Gallery). The name is somewhat misleading as in fact what is housed here is a priceless collection of art spread over thirty-five exhibition rooms.

The Ponte Vecchio (Old Bridge) is the only bridge to have survived the Nazi bombing of Florence. Dating back to the fourteenth century, these days it is home to Florence's gold- and silversmiths.

Another must see is Santa Croce, an elegant Franciscan church, said to be one of the most esthetically beautiful churches around, and final resting place of some of Italy's most gifted artists including Dante and Michelangelo. Situated on Piazza Santa Croce take bus C fourteen or twenty-three.

Lastly, Galleria dell'Accademia (Academy Gallery) houses Michelangelo's real David which draws the crowds in massive numbers to its splendid beauty. (Bus one, six or thirty-three).
Piazza del Duomo











The Cathedral or Duomo and the Baptistery of Florence stand in a huge rectangular area and occupy two separate but communicating squares: Piazza del Duomo, which contains the basilica of Santa Maria del Fiore (the third largest cathedral in the world after St. Peter's in Rome and St. Paul's in London), and Piazza San Giovanni, with the Baptistery right in the centre, probably the first Christian church in the city, as it was built in late Roman times (4th-5th century A.D.?) on the ruins of what was possibly a Roman temple dedicated to the god Mars. However, the Baptistery as we see it today, which has always represented an architectural reference point for Florentine artists, dates from the 11th-13th century, when the external revestmment of marble, the interior and the mosaics in the cupola were completed. The three famous doors in gilded bronze, including the so-called Doors "of Paradise", were cast at a later date, between 1330 and 1452.

Piazza della Signoria
It is the focal point of the origin and of the history of the Florentine Republic and still maintains its reputation as the political hub of the city. It is the meeting place of Florentines as well as the numerous tourists.
The impressive 14th century Palazzo Vecchio is still preeminent with its crenellated tower. The square is also shared with the Loggia della Signoria, the Uffizi Gallery, the Palace of the Tribunale della Mercanzia (1359) (now the Bureau of Agriculture), and the Uguccioni Palace (16th c.) (with a facade probably by Raphael). Located in front of the Palazzo Vecchio is the Palace of the Assicurazioni Generali (1871, built in Renaissance style).
The various eye-catching statues in this square include:
·                     At the entrance of the Palazzo Vecchio, a copy of David.
·                     The "bronze equestrian statue of Cosimo I" by Giambologna (1594)
·                     The Fountain of Neptune by Bartolomeo Ammannati (1575)
·                     "The Lion", referred to as "il Marzocco" with a copy of the "Florentine Lily".
·                     "Judith and Holofernes", by Donatello (copy).
·                     "Hercules and Cacus", by Bandinelli (1533).


Bargello Museum
Second only to Uffizi, pre-eminent collection of Renaissance sculpture, beginning with four of Michelangelo's masterpieces. The first floor includes famous works by Donatello, reliefs by Ghiberti and Brunelleschi.



The Pitti Palace

The sloping frontage that forms the Piazza de' Pitti is closed on three sides by the circling wings of the Palace, which the Florentines have always been reluctant to call the Royal Palace because of their innate tendency for understatement, in spite of the fact that the building has hosted all the ruling dynasties (the Medicis, the Lorraines, the Bourbons, the Bonapartes, the Savoys) ever since Cosimo I's wife, the beautiful and rich Duchess Eleonora of Toledo, bought it from Buonaccorso Pitti in 1550 to turn it into the new home of the Medici family
Basilica di San Lorenzo

The Basilica di San Lorenzo (Basilica of St Lawrence) is one of the largest churches of Florence, Italy, situated at the centre of the city's main market district. It was consecrated in 393 and is one of the many churches that claims to be the oldest in Florence. For three hundred years it was the city's cathedral before eventually losing the status to Santa Reparata. It was also the parish church of the Medici family. In 1419, Giovanni di Bicci de' Medici offered to finance a new church to replace the Romanesque building. Brunelleschi was commissioned to design it. The Medicis gave large amounts of money, but to this day nobody has financed a façade. Pope Leo X, a member of the Medici family, had given Michelangelo the commission to design a facade in white Carrara marble in 1518. He made a wooden model, that shows how he adjusted the classical proportions of the facade, drawn to scale after the ideal proportions of the human body, to the greater height of the nave . The campanile dates from 1740.
.Florence City Tour - this is a rip off. Don't bother.


   
Capture the beautiful Panoramic view from Piazzale Michelangelo on the Morning Tour
Visit the church of Santa Croce and original David by Michelangelo on the Afternoon Tour
   
The perfect introduction to Florence! These motorcoach tours are ideal for discovering Florence and its surrounding hills. Travel along the most important and panoramic roads of the city as well as exploring many well known places by foot. Choose from a Morning or Afternoon Tour - or simply combine both as a full day tour.

Location:
At the corner of Piazza della Stazione and Piazza Unita d'Italia, which is located in front of Santa Maria Novella Station (Central Station)

Duration: 3 - 8 hours     Time:               9:30am Morning and Full Day Tour          2:30pm Afternoon Tour

Return Details:             Morning Tour - Piazza della Stazione

Morning Tour including Light Lunch - Restaurant in the town center of Florence

Afternoon and Full Day Tour - Gallery of the Academy
MORNING TOUR:
Drive along the romantic Viale dei Colli up to Piazzale Michelangelo: a stop to admire the wonderful panorama of the city, one of the most beautiful in the world. The tour will proceed by coach through the old city center. Outdoor guided tour of the Duomo complex: Giotto's bell tower, the Baptistery with its bronze doors including the famous Porta del Paradiso and the visit to the interior of the Cathedral (*) with the magnificent Cupola del Brunelleschi. A short walk through the historic streets of the heart of Florence brings you to the renowned Galleria dell'Accademia (**) where you can admire the famous David by Michelangelo and other works by the great artist. End of the tour inside the museum. You have the option to end your Morning Tour with light lunch at a restaurant in the town center.

AFTERNOON TOUR:
A fine coach tour offering panoramic views of the unparalleled beauty of Florence, taking in Fiesole, a delightful town of Etruscan origin set on the hills overlooking Florence and the Arno Valley. The tour continues to the old city center for a visit to the Franciscan Church of Santa Croce (interior) where we can admire the tombs of Michelangelo, Machiavelli, Galileo and Rossini among others. A short walk through the historic streets of the heart of Florence brings you to the famous Piazza Signoria, where you can admire the imposing Palazzo Vecchio (exterior) and the beautiful Loggia del Lanzi. The tour continues with a guided tour of the famous Galleria degli Uffizi (***) where you can admire the superb paintings of Botticelli, Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, Raffaello, Giotto, Cimabue, Masaccio. End of the Tour inside the museum.

FULL DAY TOUR:         A combination of the Morning Tour including Light Lunch + the Afternoon Tour

Inclusions:                   Museum Entrance fees

Lunch (if option selected)

Group Motorcoach tour with local city guide

Exclusions:                  Food and drinks, unless specified

Additional Info:            This tour must be booked at least 48 hours in advance of your travel date.

Confirmation for this product will be received at time of booking.
Please be aware of the dress regulations required to enter places of worship on this tour. Knees and shoulders must be covered - no shorts or sleeveless tops are allowed.
Parking is available under the Main Train Station Santa Maria Novella (S.M.N.), 2 minutes walk away

 

 

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