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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

Piazzale Michelangelo, Florence, Italy


The Piazzale Michelangelo (Michelangelo Square) provides travelers with the fullest, richest, panoramic view of Florence, Italy and its surrounding Tuscany hillsides. The square was built to honor great Renaissance artist Michelangelo. You can see replicas of some of Michelangelo’s most famous works in the piazzale, such as his statute of David, and the Medici funerary pieces of Dusk, Dawn, Day, and Night. However, you can see the originals at other locations in Florence. The real reason to visit the Piazzale Michelangelo is its magnificent views.View of Florence from Piazzale Michelangelo, Florence, Italy

The Piazzale Michelangelo was designed by Giuseppe Poggi and built in the late nineteenth century. It’s in the Oltarno district of the city, sitting on the left side of the Arno River. To get those great views, the piazzale was built on a natural terrace that has been done over in a neoclassical style.

You can easily reach the piazzale. Any tour bus trip you might take in Florence will definitely stop at the piazzale. You can also take public bus lines 12 or 13. These are really the same line, they just run in opposite directions. They’re circular routes with beautiful views of their own, so stick with the same line for your ride down so you can get the full experience.

If you prefer to walk, you can take the winding walk up the hill starting at the Piazza Poggi. You should note that there are some steep steps up to the piazzale at the end of the walk. If you’re still on the other side of the river, you can cross the Ponte Vecchio and continue on to the Piazza San Niccolo. There are some stone stairs from this piazza that will take you to the piazzale.


For the really ambitious, you can continue the walk up to a church, San Miniato al Monte, that sits right behind the piazzale and is less crowded. If you’ve gone to the piazzale to view a sunset, you might also hear the Benedictine monks at the church sing vespers in the late afternoon.

Despite the crowds at the main plaza of the piazzale, there are corners where you can find some space to yourself. There is a restaurant, which was supposed to have been a museum dedicated to Michelangelo, where you can enjoy a meal. If you want a more relaxing or romantic interlude, you can buy some food from one of the local carts and find a quiet spot for you and your partner.

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Filed Under: Europe, featured, Florence, Italy, Piazzale Michelangelo