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Santo Spirito District, Florence, Italy

 


Santo Spirito District of Florence, Italy is an enchanting town that faces the Basilica of the Holy Spirit. The center of the city often hosts art exhibitions and local musicians. Vibrant bars and nightlife can also be found in the center of the Santo Spirito District.

The city is famed for its Basilica of the Holy Spirit, which was created by artist Filippo Brunelleschi. The yellow ocher facade makes the Basilica hard to miss. The Basilica is known as one of the most beautiful Renaissance churches throughout all of Italy.
 

Palazzo Pitti Museum, Santo Spirito District of Florence, ItalyIn the southeastern end of the Santo Spirito District, visitors will find a few museums. The Palazzo Pitti Museum features mini exhibitions that are dedicated to famous Italian painters. Visitors can also gain admission to the Boboli Gardens and view all of the sculptures that surround the gardens. There are various pathways adorned with beautiful flowers at the Boboli Gardens.

There are a variety of great restaurants to be found in this district too. To enjoy flavorful pasta dishes in an outdoor setting, Borgo Antico is one place to try. Il Santo Bevitore is an excellent place to dine at for a classy lunch or dinner. The traditional Italian cuisine is on point at Il Santo Bevitore. For a unique ambiance, visitors can check out the Munaciello Pizza House. The restaurant is housed within an old monastery which is complete with an angel sculpture hanging from the wall.

For the best shopping in the Santo Spirito District of Florence, travelers only need to check out the street located behind the Basilica. The Via Santo Spirito street is filled with charming boutiques, designer stores and antique outlets. There are also beautiful buildings lined up and down the street. The buildings were created by the wealthiest families of Italy, so it is worth taking a few minutes to check out these treasures.


Visitors can also gain a better appreciation and understanding of Florentine royalty by visiting the Pitti Palace. During the 16th century, the palace served as the main residence for the Medici grand duke. Each room in the palace contains artwork created by Italy’s foremost painters, including Raphael, Caravaggio, Titan and Botticelli.

The city is also adorned with other religious structures that are worth a visit. The Brancacci Chapel contains frescoes created by Masaccio. Famous paintings such as “The Expulsion of Adam and Eve” can be found tucked away in this famous religious center.

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Filed Under: Europe, featured, Firenze Card, Florence, Italy, Palazzo Pitti, Santo Spirito District

Centre District, Florence, Italy

 


If you are a visitor to Florence, Italy you must be certain to spend some time in the Centre District. Many of the city’s most impressive sights are here in the center of the city, and you won’t want to miss the opportunity to see them for yourself. Conveniently, the district is not very spread-out, so you can see several fantastic landmarks within just a few blocks of each other. If you have only a day to spend in Florence, this would be an excellent place to spend it since you will be able to see so much in such a short time.
 
 
The Duomo, Centre District, Florence, ItalyThe Cathedral, otherwise known as the Duomo, is found in the center of Florence, along with the baptistry. Its proper title in English is the Basilica of Saint Mary of the Flower, and the cathedral reflects that lovely name. Along with the richly ornamental doors and the finely sculptured marble walls, the cathedral boasts 44 gorgeous stained glass windows created in the 1300s and 1400s. Construction on the cathedral began more than seven centuries ago, and several noted artists and architects had a hand in the design of this beautiful building whose golden dome towers over central Florence.

The Cathedral Square, or Piazza del Duomo, also includes the beautiful spectacle of Giotto’s Bell Tower, a splendid example of Gothic architecture, and the Museum of the Works of the Cathedral, which houses magnificent works of art connected with the cathedral, including the handiwork of Michaelangelo and Donatello. With its rich history, this is a definite must-see for any art enthusiast.


Another impressive sight in this district of Florence is the Ponte Vecchio, which is the bridge that stands over the Arno River. In addition to its structural beauty, which dates back to medieval times, the bridge is notable because it is lined with shops. While many bridges of that time were similarly lined with shops, that is not the case for many bridges that stand today, so it’s especially fun to wander these stores and buy the art, jewelry and souvenirs that is sold inside of them.

If you are planning a visit to Florence and looking for accommodation in the Centre District or all over the city, check out Oh-Florence where you can find a huge selection of apartments to suit your every need. Clearly, this central portion of Florence has a great deal to offer any visitor with a deep and abiding interest in art, culture and history, and its magnificence is such that it is likely to foster such an appreciation in others as well.

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Filed Under: Accademia Gallery, Arno River, Basilica di Santa Croce, Centre District, Church of Santa Maria Novella, Duomo Museum, featured, Firenze Card, Florence, Galileo Science Museum, Giotto's Campanile, Italy, Medeci Chapels, Museum of San Marco, Palazzo Pitti, Piazzale Michelangelo, Ponte Vechio, The Duomo, Train Stations, Uffizi Gallery

Palazzo Pitti, Florence, Italy


Florence is a romantic city, replete with rich cuisine and beautiful architecture. Among the things to do while you’re in this Italian city is visit the Palazzo Pitti, also called Pitti Palace, which is home to several museums. Built in the 15 century, the Pitti Palace was a private residence to such prestigious Italians as the Grand Dukes of Tuscany and the King of Italy before becoming a museum open to the public.

The Palazzo Pitti is an important stop for all art lovers, because it houses a total of five different museums and galleries, displaying pieces that range from framed Renaissance paintings in the Palatine Gallery to Porcelain pieces once owned by Florentine rulers in the Porcelain Museum. This is also a good place to make a stop if you are just becoming interested in Italian art.Palazzo Pitti, Florence, Italy

Another museum on the property is called the Costume Museum. As you might gather from its name, this museum has theatrical costume collections on display. Some of the oldest costumes in the Costume Museum date back to the 16th century. Other displays in this museum exhibit the actual clothing worn by Italian Dukes and their families. The last two museums on the property are called the Gallery of Modern Art and Museo degli Argenti.


Even if you are not the biggest fan of fine art, a visit to Palazzo Pitti may still be worth your while thanks to the extensive Boboli Gardens that sit just behind the museum grounds. This park hosts statues from the 16th, 17th, and 18th centuries. One of the oldest Italian parks of its kind, Boboli Gardens also has an amphitheater and a lot of greenery to enjoy. The Boboli Gardens are also famous for their grottoes and magnificent fountains. You can spend an afternoon walking around these gardens, taking photographs of the artwork and interesting architecture that you encounter as you go.

Most visitors to the Palazzo Pitti have to pay an admission fee, though it is nominal so you won’t be breaking the bank if you decide to pay it a visit. If you are a student or teacher visiting for educational purposes, your entry fee may be waived.

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Filed Under: Europe, featured, Florence, Italy, Palazzo Pitti