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Destinations: Florence |
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Duomo di Firenze:
The magnificent Duomo of Florence stands above all other buildings in the city.
Construction began in the 12th century and was not completed until the dome was built in the 15th century.
Thus, the cathedral has both Roman and Gothic architectural styles. One of the main attractions in the interior is the polychrome floors, which were worked on by multiple artists before they were completed.
There are 463 steps from the floor of the cathedral to the top of Brunelleschi's distinctive red-tiled dome, the first and largest of its kind built in the Renaissance.
The frescos, choir stalls, floor mosaics, and stained glass are some of the finest you will see.
The Rose Window by Duccio di Buoninsegna, which was created in 1288, is one of Italy's first examples of stained glass craftsmanship.
While you are there, do not miss the cathedral's Baptistery.
(Ufficio del Duomo 055 215 380)
Open:Church 10am-5pm Mon-Fri; 10am-4.45pm Sat; 1-5pm Sun; 10am-3.30pm 1st Sat of month;
cupola 9.30am-5.20pm Mon-Fri; 9.30am-5pm Sat; 9.30am-3.20pm 1st Sat of month.
Admission church free;
cupola L10,000.
No credit cards.
Baptistery:
The foundation of the Baptistery's spectacular structure dates as far back as the eleventh century.
The building exudes an Italian-Romanesque style.
The structure itself is magnificent, but the three sets of bronze doors (first created by Andrea Pisano and later completed by Lorenzo Ghiberti) are breathtaking.
His descriptive artwork is divided into panels and depicts captivating scenes from the Old and New Testaments.
The work is so beautifully done that Michelangelo praised them.
Open:Mon-Sat 1:30pm-6pm, Sun 9am-12:30pm
Admission: L 10,000
Campanile:
This tall tower stands next to the Duomo.
The structure's construction was begun by Giotto in 1334.
After his death, Andrea Pisano and Francesco Talenti completed the work.
The different tiers of marble illustrate various themes, including mankind's creation, the planets, and the seven sacraments.
Like the Duomo and Baptistery, this tower is decorated with white, green, and pink Tuscan marble.
The tower is 276 feet tall, only 20 feet shorter than the dome of the Duomo.
Visitors may climb the 414 steps to the top of the tower to take in a spectacular view of the city.
Open:Daily Apr-Oct 9am-6:50pm; Nov-Mar daily 9am-4:20pm
Admission: L 10,000 |
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Leaning Tower of Pisa:
1 Hour distant from Florence
The site of this grand leaning tower is mesmerizing.
Photos simply don't capture how far the tower actually does lean.
The structure was built as the bell tower for the neighboring Duomo and the architecture was carefully planned before the building was constructed.
Unfortunately, the architects did not take into account that the foundation consisted of predominantly sandy ground, thus causing the tower to begin to lean.
The tower was closed to the public in January 1990, for fear that it would collapse.
In the attempt to correct the lean, a commission was formed and began the the painstakingly careful procedure
to remove soil from beneath the north side of the tower to help ease it slightly back toward the vertical.
As of June 1999, the Leaning Tower of Pisa leaned an inch less than it had at the beginning of the year.
Today, visitors can see the large cables wrapped around the structure in an attempt to secure it from falling to the ground.
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Ponte Vecchio:
Joining Florence with Oltrarno is the Ponte Vecchio, or Old Bridge. A bridge has spanned this part of the river since Roman times; this Ponte Vecchio dates from 1345. It is the only of Florence's bridges to have survived WWII, and in 1966, when a massive flood wiped out the shops on the bridge,
the bridge itself was strong enough to withstand the roaring waters.
Now limited to pedestrian use, the bridge retains the gold, silver, and jewelry shops that have operated here since 1592, when the Medici grand duke expelled the butchers and their smelly trade in order to make his daily walks in the Vasari corridor (above the shops) more pleasant.
Today, it's the most exclusive shopping area in Florence.
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Piazza della Signoria:
The Piazza della Signoria square has an interesting "L" shape and has been the center of political gatherings since the Middle Ages.
The area is like an outdoors museum and is named after the Palazzo della Signoria (eventually known as Palazzo Vechio).
The Loggia dei Lanzi was an outdoor auditorium facilitating public
debate of politics.
This is also the modern-day location of festivals and celebrations.
Among the many sculptures found here are the Fountain of Neptune and Donatello's "Marzocco." Michaelangelo's David was originally intended to be displayed here, and a replica stands in its place today.
Palazzo Vecchio:
Palazzo Vecchio, also known as Palazzo Signoria, a monument of exceptional artistic and historic importance, has been the city's political center over the centuries.
The building was erected as the seat of the Priors of the Guilds.
It was then the home of the Signoria of the Republic until 1540, when Cosimo I de' Medici made it the residence of the Duca's family.
Large fresco paintings by Giorgio Vasari cover these walls, made by artists such as Vasari, Ghirlandaio, Francesco Salviati and Bronzino.
In the Palazzo we also find some sculptural masterpieces from the Renaissance, including the 'Genius of Victory' by Michelangelo and the bronze 'Judith and Holofernes' by Donatello.
Open:Mon-Wed, Fri-Sat 9am-7pm; Thu 9am-2pm, Sun & Holidays 8am-1pm
Admission: L 10,000
phone: 55 276 8465
Galleria dell'Accademia:
Via Ricasoli 58-60
Florence,
Italy
In 1563, this building housed the first school that specialized in teaching the methods of art and sculpture.
The collection of artwork was established in 1784 to serve as examples for the students to follow.
Today, the works of art are a fascination among thousands of locals and travelers alike.
The collection is primarily Florentine, but is most famous for its sculptures by Michelangelo, including "David," "Quattro" and "Prigioni."
Open:Tue-Sat 8:30am-6:50pm, Sun 8:30am-1:50pm
Admission: L 12,000
phone: 55 2388609
Museo Nazionale del Bargello:
Via del Proconsolo 4
50122
Firenze
This building has served a purpose since 1250, when it was the Palazzo del Popolo.
The Medici deemed this the location of the chief of police and changed the name in the sixteenth century to what it is stilled called today. It wasn't until 1865 that this became a museum.
Great works of art representing numerous artists include a Scandinavian chess set by Giambologna, Donatello's "San Giorgio", and Michelangelo's "Bacco."
It is in this museum that guests will find the panels created by Ghiberti and Brunelleschi, which they created while competing to complete the Baptistery's north doors.
Open:Tue-Sat 8:30am-2pm; 2nd, 4th Sun of month; 1st, 3rd, 5th Mon of month
Admission: L 8,000
phone: 55 2388606
Museo Archeologico:
Via della Colonna 38
Florence,
Italy
An atypical museum in Florence featuring fascinating Etruscan, Egyptian, and Greek art.
The displays provide a wealth of information concerning the importance and evolution of these works in respect to their cultures.
Tombs (with mummies), hieroglyphics, and statues make up the assortment of Egyptian art.
Greek pottery is on display on the second floor.
The interesting Etruscan pieces include decorated urns, sculptures, and jewelry.
Open: Tue-Sat 9am-1:50pm; 1st, 3rd, 5th Mon of month; 2nd, 4th Sun of month
Admission: L 8,000
phone: 55-23575
Palazzo Pitti Palace:
Via Romana
Piazza Pitti
Florence, Italy
In 1457, this grand palace was constructed for Luca Pitti, a large opponent of the Medici.
The building grew to be an overwhelming project, forcing Pitti to sell it to the Medici in 1549.
Numerous renovations continued until 1839.
Today, visitors are able to see how the Medicis lived by touring the Palatine Gallery and the Gallery of Modern Art.
The pictures are left as the Medicis hung them, which was with an eye towards decoration not edification.
Diverse displays of modern art are found in thirty rooms on the top floor.
The collection includes works by Raphael, Titian, Lippi, Veronese, and others.
The "Galleria D'Arte Moderna" contains a museum for the family's best furniture, pottery, silver, and other miscellaneous items and a museum of costume.
Also open for viewing are the Galleria del Palatina (with works of Raphael, Botticelli, and Perugino), the Appartamenti Reali, the Museodelle Carrozze (with coaches from the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries), and the Boboli Gardens.
phone: Piazza Pitti 55 213440;
Palatine Gallery & Pitti Palace 2388611
Hours: 9am- 7pm; Closed on Mondays;
Admission: L 12.000
Synagogue and Jewish Museum:
Via Farini, 4
Florence,
Italy
The Synagogue of Florence, also called The Major Temple, was built between 1874 and 1882 in order to grant Florence with a place of worship for the Jewish community.
The building suffered from the damages of the Nazi occupation, who at first used the Temple as a garage for military vehicles and mined it the moment they escaped from the city.
The dome made of copper is, today, a characteristic of the scenery of the city: the green color, typical of copper, distinguishes it from the rest of the domes, enriching it with a particular charm.
On the second floor of the Synagogue you can find the Jewish Museum of Florence, which presents a rapid summary of the most important events in the history of Florentine Jews as well as some of the most significant ritual objects, silver ornaments and embroidered vestments, all part of the Community's treasure.
Also on display are ceremonial objects used on important occasions in the life of a Jew, others used for rites celebrated in the home, concerning both the family and the main Jewish Holidays and precious silver and fabrics used for adornment of the Sepher.
Open:Sun-Thurs 10 am-1 pm and 2 pm-5 pm; Fri 10 am-1 pm
phone: 55 245252
Uffizi Art Galleries:
Piazzale degli Uffizi 6
Florence,
Italy
The Uffizi Art Gallery contains the most important collection of paintings in Italy.
Founded in 1581, this museum provides a wide array of Renaissance art from the fourteenth to the eighteenth centuries.
It is particularly rich with renaissance and Mannerist paintings, and they are arranged in chronological order.
Guests must allow themselves a good deal of time to view as much as possible.
Among the works on exhibit are Botticelli's "Primavera," Filippo Lippi's "Madonna and Child with Two Angels," and "Battle of San Romano" by Uccello.
To avoid the large crowds, it is recommended to go around lunchtime.
Tour reservations are recommended.
Open:Tue-Sat 8:30am-6:50pm; Sun 8:30am-1:50pm; Closed: Mon
Admission: L 12,000
phone: 55-23885 |
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