Florence, Italy - A One Day Itinerary For a Once in a Lifetime Experience

Submitted By: Elin Brecht
Florence is known all over the world for its artistic and cultural treasures. Many international travellers spend just a day in the “Cradle of the Renaissance”, so we have to optimize this short time and make the most of your visit.
Morning
Uffizi’s Gallery – This outstanding Art Gallery, commissioned by Francesco I de’ Medici, with its 4 centuries of history, is the world’s most ancient art gallery, so let’s start the day on the right foot. The Gallery hosts artworks by some of the most influential masters of the Renaissance: Giotto, Piero della Francesca, Beato Angelico, Botticelli (The Primavera and the Birth of Venus), Leonardo da Vinci (The Announcement), Raffaello, Michelangelo and Caravaggio. The Uffizi Gallery is one of the most visited museum in Florence, so remember to book your tickets in advance to avoid long queues.
Afternoon
Santa Maria del Fiorence Cathedral – The Basilica of Santa Maria del Fiore, designed by Arnolfo di Cambio, is Florence’s Cathedral; the world’s third biggest church (after St Peter’s in Rome and St Paul’s in London) together with the Bell Tower and the Baptistery represent the distinctive symbols of Florence since the Medieval age. Brunelleschi’s Dome which overrules the cathedral is the world’s biggest brick built dome and the distinctive element of the Florentine’s skyline.
Giotto’s Bell Tower – 84.70 meters high and circa 15 meters wide, covered by polychrome marbles, white, red and green, Giotto’s Bell Tower is the perfect example of Florence’s gothic architecture. From the top of the Bell Tower, accessible by an internal staircase, can be admired a breathtaking view of the city.
San Giovanni Baptistery – Situated opposite to the Cathedral, St John’s Baptistery is of octagonal shape and has for centuries been the place where Florentines were baptised. The building is renowned for its magnificent engraved bronze doors. Ghiberti’s doors, of an ethereal beauty, were described by Michelangelo as “Heaven’s Gates”.
Ponte Vecchio (The Old Bridge) – One of Florence most popular treasures and the only bridge saved by the Nazi’s bombing thanks to its beauty. The Old Bridge, built in 1345, initially hosted small butcher’s shops which were replaced in 1593, by order of the grand duke Ferdinando I, by artisan jewellers which still hand down Florentine goldsmiths’ art. An old local legend tells that if you chain a padlock to Ponte Vecchio, and then you throw the key in the Arno river, your love will be eternal…and maybe you will also get a fine from Florence’s policemen…
Pitti Palace – The ancient residence of the grand dukes of Tuscany and – from 1865 to 1871, when Florence was the Capital – of the Kings of Italy, Pitti’s Palace holds the splendid royal apartments and the Galleria Palatina’s paintings and sculpture collection. The complex of Pitti’s Palace includes the Galleria of Modern Art, the Costume’s Gallery, the Museum of Silverware, the Porcelain Museum and the Boboli’s Garden.
Your day in Florence is over. If you have some more time to visit Tuscany, don’t miss the medieval villages of Siena and San Gimignano.

Published At: Isnare.com