What to see in Florence: attractions and photos

Everyone who goes on an exciting trip through Northern Italy, must visit one of the most beautiful cities in the most picturesque region of Tuscany. About what to see near Florence and inside it, we will tell in our article.

A small town, on narrow streets of which scurry crowds of foreigners, can disappoint the lack of scope, but the quiet pearl of Italy with an indescribable atmosphere, dipping all the guests into the depths of centuries, falls in love with itself at first sight.

We form a route for acquaintance with sights

What can you see in Florence, full of magnificent architecture, during a memorable holiday? To get acquainted with most of the original treasures will take more than one day, and to miss anything during walks through the ancient city, you will have to form a route of travel.

We will try to create a kind of guide to the most interesting places of the Italian open-air museum and tell you in detail what to see in Florence, if no more than three days are allocated for a city tour.

Tourist season

Foreigners come to the city with a rich historical and cultural heritage from March to the end of October, as the tourist season lasts almost all year round, and open architectural monuments are accessible to every guest. Of course, it is best to go here in the summer, when the sun shines more than ten hours a day, but in late autumn the temperature maximum is 20 ° C, although at night it is already quite cool.

In rainy weather, no one will have questions about what to see in Florence in October. When you can not do without an umbrella, you can make a small adjustment of the route and look into the city's museums or raid the local shops, which often hold seasonal sales.

Historical center of the city

So, what to see in Florence first, to leave here with the best impressions? It is recommended to start your walk from the historical center of the city, in a small area of which is concentrated an incredible number of statues and monuments, unhurriedly narrating about the main periods of life of a wonderful corner.

Piazza della Signoria is not in vain called the heart of the Italian town: the center of political and cultural life during the time of the Florentine State made an indelible impression. I must say that in the XV-VI centuries, the Italian Republic was considered the center of European life, and it was not for nothing that the most talented and ambitious people sought. Historians even compare Florence of that period with an energetic New York, living in a frenzied rhythm.

Harmonious architectural ensemble

Surrounded by architectural monuments, the square is a living embodiment of history. Here important political affairs were carried out and sentences were executed: those who were disliked, those condemned by the holy Inquisition were burnt .

The most beautiful square, photographed on many pictures, is recognized as a masterpiece of world art. It is here that tourists huddle up to personally enjoy its sights.

Lovers of antiquity and history clearly know what to see in Florence, and immediately sent to a harmonious architectural ensemble, the creation of which took centuries.

Palazzo Vecchio

Here you can see a delightful medieval palace, which can not be missed during a cognitive walk around the square. The strict and elegant Palazzo Vecchio is a real delight only by its appearance, and when tourists get inside the luxurious building, they stiffen with amazement: the furniture of the many halls consists of authentic masterpieces of painting and bright frescoes, which will take several hours to view.

Underground ruins of the theater

Descending under the ground, every guest of the city will admire the ruins that remained after the era of Ancient Rome. At that time, the central square was the outskirts of the city, and it was here that residents erected theaters. To achieve the effect of the greatest immersion in history, on the stone ruins are demonstrated the games of light and shadow. Silhouettes of dancing or playing instruments on the background of stone slabs remind a mysterious action, in which every visitor is drawn.

Hall Five Hundred

After exploring the centuries-old ruins, you can go up to the Hall of Five Hundreds to make a journey from ancient times to the 15th century. The room, in which government councils of 500 people were held, arouses feelings of admiration and reverence for architectural thought.

The decorated high roof of the hall allows to penetrate the daylight into small windows, and wall mural frescoes are admired with delight by guests of the palace. Previously, there were works by Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo, but after the reconstruction of the hall by the favorite architect of the Medici - D. Vasari - they were all replaced.

What else to see in the palace?

To all who are looking for what to see in Florence in one day, it is recommended to go to the ancient palace and take a leisurely stroll through its luxurious halls. Almost all of them are dedicated to the Medici family, and numerous frescoes, changing like a kaleidoscope, perfectly demonstrate all the milestones in the history of the city's rulers.

In one of the halls attention is drawn to the posthumous mask-cast from Dante's face. Someone scares her, but many have feelings of melancholy and sadness, because it is known that a talented poet, who became an influential politician, was expelled from Florence, and only 700 years later the great Italian was acquitted.

Beautifully complete a one-day tour of the historical monument will allow you to visit the tower of the palace, which offers a breathtaking view of the picturesque city from a bird's eye view. The main inconvenience lies in the fact that tourists are run upward by small groups, and there are plenty of people who want to get up. Therefore, prepare to defend a decent line, but believe that the panorama seen is worth it.

The Neptune Fountain

What to see in Florence, it is necessary, so it is the Neptune fountain that is near the palace , a sculptural and architectural ensemble, headed by the statue of the ancient Roman god of water. It is believed that the facial features of the statue, symbolizing the power of the Florentine Republic, resemble the appearance of Cosimo de Medici, who was engaged in the patronage of all artists during the Renaissance.

The chariot of the majestic deity consists of their four marble horses, and on the wheels one can view images of the zodiac signs, as if symbolizing the transience of time. The most popular place for tourists was the Vandal attack and even was used as a place for washing clothes.

Now no one leaves without throwing a coin in the fountain in order to return here again.

Loggia Lanzi

Our plan to visit the Italian city is thought out in such a way as to imbue with its special atmosphere and not to lose sight of any important sights. You can travel around the enchanting corner of Italy for 24 hours a day and add up your opinion about what to see in Florence first.

A small city is not in vain called the cradle of the Italian Renaissance: during the Renaissance, the flowering of humanism began here and art was encouraged. Another architectural monument, located on Piazza della Signoria, attracts crowds of tourists. Loggia Lanzi is an exhibition of sculptures of mythological heroes in the open air. Designed for ceremonial meetings of local rulers, the elegant structure is the main attraction, which Florence is proud of.

What to see in 1 day, if you come on business and do not have time to travel around the city, which remained forever in the Renaissance era? Hurry to the main square and get real pleasure from contemplating the filigree statues of the loggia, created for the inspiration of the Medici dynasty. The central opening of the architectural monument, surrounded by the figures of two lions, one of which is a sample of ancient art, and the second one executed in the beginning of the XVII century, will delight any connoisseur of architectural masterpieces.

The oldest baptistery

Planning a holiday in such a wonderful place, you need to take care in advance of what to see in Florence for 1 day. If you have only 24 hours to get acquainted with the city, you can advise you to go to the oldest building, made in the form of an octagon. The Baptistery of San Giovanni is built in honor of the patron saint of the city - St. John. Once upon a time there was a temple dedicated to the god Mars, but in the 9th century the transformation of the historic building began, in which all the inhabitants of Florence were baptized.

The exterior decoration with white and green marble was paid by the city merchants, and the walls of the baptistery were adorned with the great money of the guild of the clothers. Everyone wanted this building to be the most beautiful in the world, and did not skimp on spending.

Appetizing decoration

The marble vault of the dome, decorated with Byzantine mosaics on biblical themes, in particular the Last Judgment with the majestic figure of Jesus in the center of the composition, is amazingly luxurious. When the sun hits the ceiling, filling the golden light with vivid pictures, there is a feeling of real magic. The most bright is the image of Christ, surrounded by angels from all angles.

In addition to the font in which the babies were baptized, there is a whole funeral complex in the building - a four-meter tomb from the marble of the antipope John XXIII.

The engraved gates evoke awe and admiration for the craftsmanship of the brilliant jewelers who put their hand to the creation. Illustrated by stories from the Old Testament, the bronze leaves were appreciated by Michelangelo himself, struck by their exquisite beauty.

About the decoration of the baptistery can be told for a long time, but it's best to see firsthand the grandiose attraction, which is famous throughout the world for Florence.

What to see for 1 day more?

Garden Bardini, located on the banks of the Arno River, is not among the ten most visited tourist attractions of the city. Preserved by the atmosphere of the Middle Ages, the former Mozzi estate in connection with the new European trends after the 16th century turned into a green park with delightful fountains, mysterious grottoes and many sculptures.

Nowadays, the city property, spread over four hectares, is not well known to the general public, so anyone who dreams of seclusion can safely go to a beautiful garden.

The original observation staircase, which offers a wonderful view of the water surface of the river and the whole city, will surprise with green arches of fresh flowers. The relaxing atmosphere of the green oasis and the unique opportunity to be alone with nature will allow tourists to abandon all problems and move back several centuries.

Basilica of Santa Maria Novella

If you have the opportunity to stay in the city and you do not know what to see in Florence in 2 days, then be sure to visit the basilica and the adjoining old pharmacy, which will leave indelible impressions. The Church of Santa Maria Novella, built by the Dominicans, combines elements of Gothic architecture and the Early Renaissance.

Decorated with funerary monuments and wonderful frescoes, it is considered a true urban masterpiece. Looking at every detail of the interior, you can spend a whole day here. And even those who do not understand the trends of the development of religion will get real aesthetic pleasure.

Of great interest are colorful stained-glass windows, through which the sunbeam passes, animating drawings on biblical themes.

Unusual pharmacy

Near the basilica is an old pharmacy, of which very few people know. A magical place where the vaults and ceiling are decorated with church frescoes deserves to spend the whole day here. Surprisingly, in one territory are collected and medicinal drugs, and perfume products, but here no one will sell antibiotics and other medications. Tourists will be offered deliciously smelling soap, balms, shower gels and creams, cooked according to ancient recipes.

Ponte Vecchio Bridge

In the ancient city, which is explored with pleasure by tourists, there will be no question what to see in Florence yourself, because the attractions here are more than enough.

You can go to the bridge Ponte Vecchio, which is considered the main decoration of the city. Erected more than five centuries ago, he reached the descendants in an unchanged form. The original design, on both sides of which are comfortably located at home, is also interesting because the architect Vasari, who was engaged in the restoration of the hall of Five Hundreds, erected a secret corridor above the pedestrian arch. Today, this crossing is closed for visiting.

From the bridge you can see a wonderful view of the Arno River, and in the dark time all lovers who are enjoying the night look of the architectural structure reflecting in the water hurry here. In the light of the flickering lights, Florence's most recognizable design looks like an animated fairy tale.

Surroundings of Florence: what to see?

Not far from the city are worthy of attention of tourists corners, surprising local flavor. For example, go on an excursion to the hill Fiesole, where you can see archaeological ruins, the magnificent Pretor palace, majestic religious buildings.

The ancient city of Vinci is inextricably linked with the name of the great Italian. Here is the house where Leonardo was born, and the church in which he was baptized. In the famous castle of Guidi is a museum of genius, and all foreigners are curious about the Vitruvian man's exposition .

To look at all the masterpieces is an impossible task

When you have a few days left, lists of interesting places that are mandatory for visits can be expanded. Therefore, if you are a fan of long trips, you will definitely decide what to see in Florence for 3 days or more. And our guide to the most interesting places of the Italian pearl can be significantly expanded.

No matter how your route was built, do not try to visit all the main sights of the city, because it is still an impossible task. Let all the other interesting architectural masterpieces be the occasion to return once again to the charming Florence.