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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Uffizi Gallery, Florence, Italy

 


The Uffizi Gallery in the heart of Florence, Italy is home to art pieces from some of the most renowned Italian artists, including Michelangelo, Giotti, and Raffaello. This art gallery should not be missed by travelers who are art lovers, or anyone who wants to see some of the oldest art on display in the area — the Uffizi has works dating back to the 12th century. The Uffizi Gallery is among the most visited museums in all of Italy, and tickets can be either purchased on the day of your visit or booked in advance so that you can avoid the notoriously long lines to get in.

The museum has a rich history. The building was originally constructed in the mid 1500s, and was intended to be used as the administrative and judicial hub of Florence. In fact, the word Uffizi is Italian for “office.” The structure was designed by Giorgio Vasari, from the galleries to the secret corridor that connects the Uffizi Gallery to the nearby Pitti Palace.Uffizi Gallery, Florence, Italy


Some of the most noteworthy artwork in the Uffizi includes the Doni Tondo by Michelangelo, La Primavera by Botticelli, and The Ognissanti Madonna by Giotti. In total, the Uffizi Gallery has more than 40 gallery halls, spread out over two floors. The galleries are divided sometimes by artist, and other times by time period. For instance, the early Renaissance period has it’s own gallery hall, as does artist Leonardo di Vinci. If you have only limited time to spend in the museum, you can receive a guide for the galleries that are considered absolute must-see by the museum staff.

If you are not familiar with the historical significance of the art pieces displayed at the Uffizi, you might consider signing up for a guided tour. An expert guide will take you through the museum, giving you the backstory around each piece of art, and an idea to what was happening in history as the piece was created. Knowing the context behind each piece may give you a better appreciation for the art itself. If you don’t know any Italian, don’t worry – tours are available in English as well.

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