Classical Florence – 5 Must-Dos

The Renaissance city of Florence is the capital of one of Italy’s most beautiful regions, Tuscany. It’s a not-to-be-missed destination when you plan your holiday in Italy. Florence is full of art treasures and not just in its museums. You will see art everywhere as you walk around in the San Lorenzo area or along the Arno or down Via dei Calzaiuoli, the main street in Florence’s historical city centre. Here are the five things you must do when in Florence.

The Duomo

The iconic red dome of Florence’s cathedral – Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore – or simply called the Duomo personifies the city. Built in the 15^th century on the remains of a much older church, the cathedral is of massive proportions. Inside, the church is built in Gothic style with high arches. There are numerous paintings and the dome itself is frescoed with a representation of the Last Judgment. Entry to the cathedral is free. But pay 3 Euros and you can descend below and see the remnants of the Cathedral of Santa Reparata – the earlier church on this site dating back to 4 AD.

The Museums

Florence is home to one of the oldest museums in the world – the Uffizi Gallery. The building itself is quite a work of art and the long courtyard is lined with sculptures of important Florentines in history. Inside, the museum houses treasures such as Botticelli’s Primavera, Titian’s Venus of Urbino and Leonardo da Vinci’s Annunciation. But Florence’s most famous masterpiece – Michelangelo’s David – is housed in the Galleria dell’Accademia. You can buy a combined ticket for both museums. If you plan to stay in Florence for a couple of days and visit many of the ticketed monuments and museums, the Florence Card is a good investment. It will save you several Euros as well as time spent in long queues.

Palazzo Vecchio

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Next door to the Uffizi Gallery in the Piazza della Signoria is Palazzo Vecchio, Florence’s town hall. A replica of David stands at its entrance, at the spot where the original stood till 1873. Inside the palazzo there are three impressive courtyards and a monumental staircase that leads up to Salone dei Cinquecento – a long chamber with multiple frescoes depicting military victories as well as several sculptures. The rest of the palazzo is divided into various chambers housing more works of art and many richly-decorated private rooms.

Medici Chapel

The Basilica of San Lorenzo has two extensions known as the Medici Chapels, of which the New Sacristy was designed by Michelangelo. The Medici family was the most powerful in Florence between the 14^th and 16^th centuries. The chapels house two magnificent tombs, several unfinished works by Michelangelo as well as spectacular works with coloured marble and semi-precious stones.

Piazzale Michelangelo

Cross the Arno River via Ponte Vecchio (or any of the other numerous bridges spanning the river) and you will arrive on the Oltrarno side of Florence. Follow the directions for Piazzale Michelangelo, climb a few steps up a small hill and you will arrive at a delightful terrace dedicated to the master sculptor. There is even a bronze replica of David standing tall here. From here you will get the most magnificent view of Bella Firenze – the Duomo, Ponte Vecchio, Palazzo Vecchio, Santa Croce Basilica and beyond it all, the verdant Tuscan hills.

Take a look at MakeMyTrip’s convenient Italy packages. Book your flight tickets to Florence and immerse yourself in its art.