Two days in Florence. The first day. Florence in one day - what to see Plan a trip to 15th century Florence

Hello! Finally, I can return to the story of the trip to Italy, where we went in April 2017. And today I will talk about Florence, where we stayed for 2 nights.

We arrived in Florence in the evening, about 7 o'clock (everything about moving on. And according to the plan, after checking into the hotel, we wanted to have time to see the city center, but we were very tired of the long road, and the check-in was not as fast as we We only had the strength to go out to the store for dinner and return successfully, because at night there are just an incredible number of emigrants gathering around the station, leading a not very civilized lifestyle.

Cheap accommodation in the center of Florence

We settled in a separate room in a nice apartment, located 7 minutes from the Santa Maria Novella station. We booked a room on Airbnb, where it is called M&B HOUSE 1 - Santa Maria Novella.

The apartment itself is charming. In it, the owners rent 4 living rooms with two shared bathrooms (one with a shower, and the other with a tiny but bathtub) and an equipped kitchen where you will find everything you need, including a bottle of wine if you suddenly run out of your own supplies. (they cost a little more than the store).

From the room page on AirBnb
From the room page on AirBnb

But we settled in with some tension, because we had announced the exact time of arrival in advance, but the owners did not appear even after 15 minutes of waiting at the door. After another 10 minutes, our future neighbors opened the doors to us, but the owners were not in the apartment. We began to feverishly call them, and after another 10 minutes the owner's mother came running, a cheerful Italian woman in years, speaking only Italian. And explaining on the fingers, we still managed to settle)

There are two train stations in the center of Florence: Santa Maria Novella and Firenze Campo di Marte. A special train runs between these stations, so you can get from one to the other not only on foot, but also by train. And this is important if you came to Firenze Campo di Marte, like us, and you are going to live closer to Santa Maria Novella. And another nuance: trains from northern cities (Verona, Venice, Bologna, etc.) stay exactly at Firenze Campo di Marte, but on the coast, to La Spezia and Pisa, and to Rome, you will need to leave with Santa Maria Novella. An exception may be through trains across the country. Advice from the blog author

How long does it take to get to know Florence

We were going to leave Florence, so we had one, but all day, to explore the city. From my experience I recommend allocate at least 1 full day to explore Florence otherwise you won't be able to do anything. Why?

Florence is a large Italian city where thousands and thousands of tourists come every day. They go there for the sake of the most ancient museums containing amazing works of art from all over the world, and the city itself is a real open-air museum, each building of the city contains an incredible history, like the streets of Florence.

Therefore, I recommend planning your trip in such a way that in 1 day you could visit one large museum and walk around the city, but no more, because in this city there are queues not only at the box office in museums, but also at the entrance to the museum itself, to restaurants, churches and even to places with the best view for photos. You simply won’t be able to see more, because you will spend the bulk of the day in queues.

If you only have one day to explore Florence, take a stroll through the city center and one of the city's famous museums. We chose Palazzo Pitti and the beautiful Boboli Gardens. We also looked into the small museum of Galileo Galilei, dedicated to all sorts of scientific gizmos.

Sights of Florence

On the map, I marked the sights and the route that I recommend to plan for exploring Florence if you come to the city for just 1 day.

The walk will be hard and tiring, so gather your strength, dress in comfortable clothes and shoes and go!

There are a lot of museums in Florence, each house is a palazzo, a palace where famous people lived, characters from the pages of history. Here are just a few of these attractions - Palazzo Vecchio (in Piazza della Signoria, in front of Palazzo Vecchio, you can admire copies of the most famous sculptures in the world, including Michelangelo's David), the Loggia Lanzi Gallery, Palazzo Strozzi, Palazzo Medici Riccardi, Bargello Palace, Palazzo Pitti, Uffizi Gallery and many, many others. But there are also cathedrals that amaze with their beauty - the churches of Santa Maria Novella and San Lorenzo, the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore.

First of all Necessarily take a look at the Duomo, the main cathedral of Florence - the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore. It is very difficult to fit it in one frame) And even more difficult to get inside!

Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore

Santa Maria del Fiore- a Gothic cathedral of incredible beauty, standing in the very center of Florence, has been a symbol of the city for seven centuries.

In addition to the cathedral itself, you can also climb the observation platforms of the bell tower and on the dome of the cathedral and look at the city from above, go to the baptistery. In fact, you have to pay for them. At the box office you will be offered complex and individual tickets.

One of the best views of the Cathedral. Wikipedia

So, for two attractions you will have to pay 15 euros (2017), for the whole complex you will have to pay about 30 euros. The ticket is valid for 24 hours after the first pass, so you don’t have to try to finish visiting each of the sights as soon as possible.

Cathedral opening hours:

• Monday - Wednesday: from 10:30 to 17:00;
• Thursday: from 10:30 to 15:30;
• Saturday: from 10:30 to 16:45;
• Sunday: from 13:30 to 18:00.

Viewing platform opening hours:

• daily: from 10:30 to 19:00;
• Saturday: from 10:30 to 16:40.

Cost of visiting the cathedral: free, but you need to stand a giant queue of those wishing to visit the cathedral. It's incredibly long.)

The exact address: Piazza del Duomo, 50122 Firenze FI, Italy

Then walk to the Arno riverfront and stop by the Galileo Museum. You will like it if you like all sorts of "scientific things" or travel with children.

Museum of Galileo Galilei in Florence

This museum contains a huge collection of scientific instruments, and the museum itself is located in the old palace of the XI century, the Castellani Palace, standing on the banks of the Arno River, 3 minutes from the famous Ponte Vecchio.

From the museum's official Facebook page

I strongly advise you to include it in your travel plan, especially if you are traveling with children: at the end of the exposition there are exhibits where you can check all the basic laws of physics. And in this museum there are practically no queues at the entrance.

Entrance fee in 2018– 9 euros (preferential and family tickets available)

Working hours - from 9:30 to 18:00

Exact address: Firenze, Piazza dei Giudici 1

Official website of the museum– www.museogalileo.it

Palazzo Pitti and Boboli Gardens

This palace is the largest palazzo in Florence and for many years served as a haven for the strongest families of the city - the Grand Dukes of Tuscany (the Medici and Habsburgs of Lorraine), and then the Italian kings. The Palazzo has one of the finest art collections in Florence.

Palazzo Pitti, view from the Boboli Gardens

View of Florence from the top of the Boboli Gardens

A few masterpieces from the museum itself - Palazzo Pitti

Cost of visiting Palazzo Pitti and Boboli Gardens is 20 euro for every adult.

In the Palazzo Pitti and the Boboli Gardens, you need to buy separate tickets, but you need to defend the same line at the box office.

Palazzo Pitti is considered one of the most visited museums in the city, which is why entry restrictions have been introduced there. It turns out that you will have to stand in two lines to enter this museum: first at the box office, and then at the entrance. The doors to the Boboli Gardens are located directly opposite the main entrance to the Palazzo, you can go there without visiting the museum. Advice from the blog author

Scheme of the Boboli Gardens and Palazzo Pitti from www.museumsinflorence.com. Help you plan your trip.

The observation deck in the gardens is located at the highest point of the park. To do this, you need to climb up from the palazzo building, to the farthest corner.

Top 5 things to do in Florence for any tourist

I also made a small list - the top 5 things to do in Florence so that you can claim to visit this city! It will help you stay on track and give you a starting point, the first landmark for walking around Florence. And already along the way you will meet many other wonderful sights, feel the city in taste and color.

1. Walk through the city center and admire its shrine - the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore
2. Take a walk in the Boboli Gardens and enjoy the incredible view of Florence
3. Visit at least one city museum
4. See Michelangelo's famous David
5. Walk across the Arno River along the famous Ponte Vecchio bridge

Somewhere along the route, I suggest you have lunch at a wonderful restaurant - Fishing Lab Alle Murate. They serve the freshest seafood at very affordable prices.

I found out about this place in advance, having found a review about it somewhere on the vastness of Instagram. As expected, the place turned out to be wonderful, but very popular. I had to wait 10-15 minutes until a place at the bar became free. While waiting, we were offered an aperitif - a glass of champagne.

The journey should start from Florence.

This is not a city but a dream. Here everything is fanned by the Renaissance. It is immortalized in human memory as the birthplace of great creators: Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Niccolo Danatello, Benvenuto Cellini. Most of cultural values ​​of the country centered in Florence.

The stay will not become boring, as it is impossible to get around the sights in such quantity even in a week. And what to see in Florence, first of all, we will reveal further.

In contact with

If Rome impresses with its monumentality, ancient buildings, many churches, then in Italy, Florence - art sights.

Immersed in such beauty, it is impossible to describe the emotions experienced.

Therefore, it is better to think over the route of movement by day in advance, focusing on the map.

What sights of the city can be seen on the 1st day

We start our sightseeing tour with the main attractions of Florence: Florence Cathedral, Cathedral Square, Dante Alighieri's house, the medieval quarter, Signoria Square and the old Ponte Vecchio bridge. In the afternoon you can visit the famous museum of Italy - the Uffizi Gallery. So, briefly about everything and in order:

• Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore- the most popular place for tourists, which is a symbol of the capital of Tuscany. It can be seen from afar, as the cathedral tower is directed up to 90 m from the ground. The facades are masterfully decorated with lace stucco, in contrast to the interior austerity of the decoration. The octagonal dome is red, which immediately catches the eye. There is an interweaving of Gothic with early touches of the Renaissance, which developed into the Quattrocento style. Monumentality does not suppress, but inspires lightness and spiritual grace. The main relic of the cathedral is considered to be the urn of the holy relics of Zenobius of Florence and a large clock with reverse movement of the hands.
• Cathedral Square is the historical heart of the city. Most of the tourist routes start from this place. Walking along it, you can not help but admire everything you see - the Cathedral, surrounded by bell towers and a baptistery.
• Belfry of Giotto or campanilla, is a majestic and spectacular addition to the Duoma. The bell tower is in perfect harmony with the dome of the cathedral. Its entire height is finished with multi-colored marble. The windows are large, stretched upwards. The style decision is dominated by Gothic and elements of the Proto-Renaissance of the XIV century. The versatility of all kinds of decors is especially fascinating: bas-reliefs, elaborate medallions by Giotto, sculptures by the master Donatello. Climbing to the very top of the tower, you can see the entire city panorama.
• Baptistery of San Giovanni- the third on the list in the architectural grouping of the Florentine Duomo. The baptismal house in its modern form was erected in the 12th century. The first version appeared in the 5th century AD. e. Outwardly, the baptistery fits perfectly into the overall color of the cathedral square. The southern, northern and eastern gates of the building, especially attract and surprise tourists. Biblical motifs are engraved on the doors. Inside you can admire the huge dome, with the image of Jesus Christ, surrounded by saints.
• Dante Alighieri House Museum- an old stone building, turned into a museum property in honor of the creator of the Divine Comedy. Here you can get a full-scale overview of the entire life path of the great poet. There are also paintings with views of Florence from the 14th century.
• Signoria Square- makes an epoch-making impression, due to the towering fortress. The castle deserves special attention for its decoration. These are Renaissance statues: David - the hands of the master Michelangelo, Yutif - Donatello.
• Uffizi Gallery- located near Piazza della Signoria. The Medici are considered its founders. They managed to collect a rich gene pool, consisting of art paintings by European, Italian and Flemish painters.
• Ponte Vecchio Bridge aka Old Bridge. This is one of the most respectable crossings over the Arno in Florence. A real work of art, extraordinary beauty. From the 14th century, it has survived to the present day in its original form. The bridge is notable for the fact that houses are built right on it. In addition, the Vasari corridor was built right above the pedestrian arch. The safest way is from Palazzo Vecchio to Palazzo Pitti.

At this point, you can complete your walks around the sights of the city. The next day will be a lot of interesting things.

Second day in Florence

If there are a few more days left, then you can continue the sightseeing view in the morning. It is recommended to visit the gastronomic tour first. It is best to do this in the morning, when the taste buds are more receptive. In 3 hours you will completely immerse yourself in the culinary delights of Tuscan cuisine. If you want to explore the city from all sides, then this is it. In the afternoon we continue our acquaintance, visit the following:

• Academy Gallery - opened at the Academy of Fine Arts, where the most significant art canvases are exhibited. There is also a five-meter sculpture of "David", the work of Michelangelo.
• The Bargello Museum is unusual in that it is housed in a former building with a prison and a barracks. One appearance immediately takes you to the harsh Middle Ages. The collection presented here is especially valuable throughout Italy. These are creations: Michelangelo, Giambologna, Cillini and others.
• The Basilica of Santa Maria Novella is the main Dominican church and is another museum. The outer facades are completely covered with patterned paintings. The interior is decorated with various Greek frescoes and bas-reliefs made of marble chips.
• The Basilica of Santa Croce is the oldest architectural monument of the 13th century, with a Gothic style. According to legend, a chapel built by St. Francis of Assisi used to stand in its place. It presents the creations of famous Italian masters XIV-XV century.

In the evening, after a long journey through amazing objects, go to the opposite bank of the Arno River. In the bohemian Oltrarno district, a huge number of eateries, small shops and craft workshops have been collected. This will help to fully and pleasantly relax.

What to visit on day 3

Another day in Italy, specifically, in its main city, you can take a look at the following masterpieces:

• The Church of San Lorenzo is the city's most respected landmark. Christian monastery of the 4th century AD. e., refreshed in the XI century under romanticism. In the 14th century, the guardianship of the building passed into the hands of the Medici family. The era of the Renaissance perpetuated its mark here, which can be admired today. Painted domes, gilded vaults, the creative message of ancient architects is everywhere. The church is known as the burial place of princes from the Medici family.
• Piazza San Marco is a rather small area, with walls overlooking it: the Basilica of San Marco and the monastery of the Sylvester Order. Both establishments date back to the 18th century, only in the 15th century they were reconstructed. This process was led by the architect Mizelozzo.
• Museum of San Marco - housed in a building where there used to be a church. His story is full of drama. Passing from hand to hand, it became the property of the state in 1866. A few years later, the church library was turned into a museum. Wall frescoes and picturesque vaults are considered a special attraction. XIV-XV century. Some of the work was carried out by novices of the monastery.
• The Medici-Riccardi Palace is the residence. For a long time, the Medici family occupied stable ruling positions. Accordingly, they occupied separate rich apartments. The palazzo was built specifically for them in the middle of the 15th century. A few centuries later, there was a slight refurbishment and renewal in the Renaissance style.
• Palazzo Vecchio - building

Florence first attracts with its beauty and comfort, then it penetrates deep into the soul, and then it flies in memories and dreams, magically appearing before your eyes. The facades of buildings, the smells and sounds of cobbled streets, the benevolent faces of the indigenous people and the surprised eyes of tourists - everything penetrates our consciousness and leaves an “aftertaste”. Travelers and guests of Florence have time to make sure of his colorful, eventful life.

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Palazzo Vecchio

The government of the Florentine Republic in 1294 announced the start of the construction of the Palace of the Signoria, now called the Palazzo Vecchio, on the site where the theater existed in ancient times. The main task for the fortress being built was to protect the residence of the priors. Subsequently, over the course of 300 years, many changes and additions were made to the original project. Today, the Palazzo Vecchio appears before your eyes as a powerful square-shaped building with battlements, a 94-meter clock tower towering over the perimeter of the fortress, and the world-famous sculpture of David by Michelangelo (at the entrance there is a copy of the statue).

Having been inside the palace itself, a certain complete picture emerges in the mind: the courtyard, the meeting room and the five hundred salon, painted ceilings, marble sculptures and paintings by Italian masters. Throughout the existence of the palace, it was the main administrative building of the city. Therefore, in addition to tourists, the local population likes to visit here on excursions and hold city events. Before visiting the Palazzo Vecchio, you need to ask if all the halls are open to tourists. It happens that some are already rented for events and visitors are not allowed there.

Gallery Loggia Lanzi

Loggia Lanzi is 100 meters from Palazzo Vecchio. The gallery, built in the 14th century, hosted public meetings of the government of the republic. Today, first of all, it will attract attention by the number of young artists sitting on the steps. A dozen sculptures are exhibited here, allowing young talents from different countries to gain experience in classical drawing. All are extraordinarily beautiful. But special attention is drawn to the original sculpture "Perseus with the Head of Medusa" by Cellini and a copy of "The Rape of the Sabine Women" by Giambologna.

Uffizi Gallery

The building of the Uffizi Gallery was intended for the administrative and clerical work of the city administration, and the Italians, always famous for their special love for art, gradually filled it with paintings and sculptures by contemporary masters. At first, these were gifts from the personal collections of the nobles, then they were joined by patrons and the artists themselves. By the 18th century, there were so many works decorating the gallery that the city administration decided to turn this building into a public city museum. Today it is a world-famous exhibition area, where 6,000 sq. meters there are collections of paintings from different schools of Italian painting, antique sculptures and a collection of a unique collection of tapestries.

Leaving Piazza della Signoria along Via del Proconsolo, the walk will pass the Bargello Palace. This building of the 13th century has changed many owners during its existence. It was both a barracks, and the residence of a judge, and even a prison. Today it is the National Museum, whose art collection of sculptures is considered to be the best in Italy. The galleries and churches of Florence are literally overflowing with works of art. The history of the Renaissance comes to life in the local streets. Moving through the city center through narrow, dark streets, you feel as if you are in the Middle Ages.

Via Dante Alighieri

Stop on the small street Via Dante Alighieri leading to Dante's house. It was here, walking along the pavement slabs as a nine-year-old boy, that Dante met the eight-year-old beauty Beatrice, the secret love of his life and the poet's muse. Approaching the Duomo Square, any traveler begins to feel some inner trepidation. The desire to get closer to one of the majestic Cathedrals of Europe is very great.

Via del Proconsolo will lead to the Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore from the side of the altar, and in order to see the facade of the temple and the entire cathedral ensemble, you need to go around it. The beauty revealed to the eye is indescribable. The name of the cathedral is “speaking” and in translation it sounds “Magnificent Mary in Flowers”. Wall cladding of pearl white, soft pink and matte green marble on the outside makes the cathedral look like an inlaid box in which, it seems, jewels should be stored. But the interior decoration can somewhat disappoint with its asceticism and simplicity.

The scale of the Cathedral is grandiose not only in size, but also in the significance of the historical events that took place within its walls. The Florentine rulers passed laws here, Savonarola read his sermons, the execution of Giuliano from the Medici family took place, and the famous author of the dome of the cathedral, Brunelleschi and the creator of Campanilla Giotto, found peace. The cathedral ensemble also includes the Baptistery of San Giovanni and Giotto's Campanile (bell tower). The oldest in Florence, octagonal in shape, baptismal, in the 15th century, was decorated with a unique gate by Ghiberti. On ten gilded reliefs of the gate, he depicted scenes from the Old Testament. After an enthusiastic phrase by Michelangelo, they began to be called the "Gates of Paradise."

Via dei Calzaiuoli

From the Duomo, you can head towards the city center along the main street of all times, Via dei Calzaiuoli (street of hosiers and shoemakers). Pilgrims traveled along it through the city to Rome. They were robbed all over the district, and smart Florentines solved the problem of enrichment differently. They began to sell shoes and sandals to unfortunate travelers who had knocked their legs down on this street. Florence's heyday came in the 16th century, when numerous frescoes on the street facades turned it into a bright flower. From these bright petals today only withered shadows remain. But they can still be observed everywhere, on almost every facade of a medieval house.

To get to the Palazzo Medici Riccardi, you need to go from Duomo Square in the opposite direction from the center. The residence of the most noble Italian family is the first secular building in Florence. But she looks rather ascetic and modest. In those days, the Medici bank "office", and utility rooms with stables, and the owners' apartments were located here. It will be interesting to inquire about the interiors of the Palace: on some days, the Chapel of the Magi with unique frescoes is open to visitors.

Church of San Lorenzo

At 200 meters from the Palazzo Medici, you can admire the Church of San Lorenzo. Located here and crowned with glory, the Medici Chapel was created by Michelangelo in 1520 and was intended to accommodate new burials of an ancient family. The sacristy of the old Medici church by that time could not accommodate new tombs.

Santa Maria Novella

Continuing the route along Via del Giglio, after 5 minutes you can already be at the next architectural masterpiece of Santa Maria Novella (di Santa Maria Novella). It was this church that Giovanni Boccaccio chose for the plot scenes in The Decameron. Its lengthy construction, begun in 1246 by the Dominican monks, was completed only in the 14th century. Here you can admire not only the front part of the temple, known from Florentine postcards, but also go to the monastery green courtyard and the Spanish Chapel.

Now, after sightseeing the right-bank districts of the old city, you can stroll along the famous Florentine bridges. To do this, you need to go down Via del Sole and Via de Tornabuoni. By the way, at the intersection of these streets you can stop and admire the Palazzo Strozzi (Palazzo Strozzi). This is the palace of another noble family in Florence, the Strozzi clan. In appearance, the building is very similar to the Palazzo Medici, and this is understandable. After all, Strotius always competed with the Medici. The feeling that the simple facade of the first floor, the high windows of the second and the luxurious courtyard inside the palazzo is not the first time you see it. If you have time, it is interesting to go into the interior of the building. The entourage of the Middle Ages is preserved here authentic to that era: rings for which horses were tied, holders for smoky torches, etc.

Holy Trinity Bridge

On the left bank of the river, you can cross the famous bridge of the Holy Trinity. The graceful design of this bridge was invented by Bartolomeo Ammannati, and it was built in the 16th century. Until now, the bridge has suffered many collapses. But even with this construction, the architect was more concerned not with practical reliability, but with the aesthetic impeccability of the building.

Brancacci Chapel and other places of interest

In the urban areas of the left bank of the river, tourists eagerly visit the Brancacci Chapel with its famous frescoes, the Basilica of the Holy Spirit with the church refectory that holds the Last Supper by Ghirlandaio and the museum complex of the Palazzo Pitti.

Bridge Ponte Vecchio

Finishing the walking tour of Florence and returning to the administrative center, you need to go from the Otrarno district, famous for small workshops selling their products, to the right bank. This time we will cross over the Ponte Vecchio, a bridge that has become popular for photographs in tourist brochures. This bridge has always been socially significant for the Florentines. It was regularly washed away by floods and regularly rebuilt. In the 15th century, meat and fish shops were moved here, and trading was allowed only on the old bridge. Waste, which was dumped directly into the river, spread the stench for several blocks. Over time, there were more merchants, and the bridge grew in breadth. Until now, the outbuildings in which the shopkeepers lived have been preserved on it.

The nobles of the Medici family, who at that time lived in the Pitti Palace on the left bank, could not walk in the Signoria through such a "pigsty". And therefore, a covered corridor (Gallery Vasari) was built for them over the bridge. Merchants with foul-smelling goods were driven away and replaced with jewelers. Many shops on the bridge sell luxurious jewelry and trinkets, and in the evening, after the end of the trade, they close like slamming precious boxes. From now on, the luxury of exquisite jewelry is hidden behind ancient wooden doors.

I absolutely agree with this.

In Florence everything is somehow monumental, large-scale, concentrated Italian. It seems as if the city does not notice a large number of tourists and lives its life under the warm and gentle Tuscan sun.

More, Florence- one of the few cities that seem more majestic than in the photographs. Here, all the other, at least European, cities and sights turn out to be just crumbs, but here it’s the other way around - it takes your breath away and you feel small.

The day of exploration started from the main and most recognizable place of the city - Piazza del Duomo(literally: "cathedral square"), on which rises just a huge symbolic cathedral and the main attraction of Florence - Santa Maria Del Fiore. This 600-year-old giant, which can accommodate 30,000 people under its roof (the entire population of Florence at the time of its construction), does not even fit into the lens, so we show it in parts.

Facade of the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore and Giotto's bell tower

Belfry of Giotto

The big is seen from a distance, so to consider Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, and all Florence, we climb the bell tower of the work of the great Giotto.

I had to stand in line for the entrance for a bit, but it's worth it, the price of climbing to the observation deck is 15 euros, but it's worth it. This ticket will allow you, if you wish, in addition to Giotto's bell towers, visit the cathedral itself, climb its dome and look into the baptistery opposite the cathedral.

An elevator or some kind of lift in Giotto's bell tower no, therefore, you need to climb to a height of 85 meters on foot, along a narrow and steep staircase. There are several observation platforms in the bell tower, at different levels. On each, except for the last one, there are benches where you can sit (stay in the bell tower is not limited, so if you have time, at least take a book and sit there, read, with such a magnificent view of Florence).

View from Giotto's bell tower, it seems you can reach the dome with your hand

IN Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore also worth a visit, the inside of the dome is no less beautiful than the outside. And it's quiet, cool and dark. You can take a break from the hustle and bustle for a few minutes.

Inside the cathedral

After the cathedral we go along Via dei Calzaiuoly to the main square of the city, taking a break for perhaps the most delicious ice cream in the world - Italian gelato. The best gelateria in the center Florence Festival is considered and we confirm this fact (we held a tough competition among 6 Florentine gelaterias).

At the end of Via dei Calzaiuoly is the main square of Florence - Piazza Senoria(Piazza della Signoria). There are a lot of interesting sights here: Loggia della Signoria when it was built for meetings, but became a museum, Palazzo Vecchio- the former residence of the Medici, which also became a museum and, a little further, Uffizi gallery, which was built by the Medici family as a place of work for city government, and became, guess what, a museum. (In general, all Florence sooner or later becomes a museum or a landmark).

And there are many beautiful-muscular statues on the square: fountain of neptune with Neptune in the center, copy of David michelangelo, statue of Cosimo de' Medici.

Palazzo Vecchio

Let's go to Palazzo Vecchio(Palazzo Vecchio). Now, this is a museum, which is divided into three blocks: the Tower with an observation deck, a museum and an ancient amphitheater located in the basement.

Ticket prices vary depending on which blocks of the Palazzo you want to visit: 10 euros for the museum only, 14 euros for the museum and the tower, 18 euros for the complete set.

We go to the museum and the tower, taking more audio guides (+4 euros for two). Audio guides here are in the form of tablets with headphones, and a map and photo of the halls are loaded into them. You click on the tablet on the hall you need and listen to its history and at the same time the history of the Medici family - an imperious and wealthy family that ruled for several centuries Florence.

The biography of the Medici is bloodthirsty and intense, the Game of Thrones is resting, but still such a large amount of information is difficult to perceive at a time, unless you are a special connoisseur, so we recommend putting on your headphones, turning on majestic music and walking around the halls, imagining yourself as rulers Florence. The halls are very beautiful, especially the Hall of Five Hundred, especially its ceiling.

Hall of Five Hundred

The ceilings in each room are just a song, they are paintings in themselves, masterpieces, at least for their sake it is worth going here.

Palazzo Vecchio, the ceiling of one of the halls of the museum

After the museum, rise to the tower (and here without an elevator) from where you can see the Piazza Signoria with its sights and the whole city.

View of Piazza Senoria from the tower of the Palazzo Vecchio

Uffizi Gallery (Uffizi)

After the Palazzo Vecchio, we pass through the arches of the Uffizi Gallery - the main museum of Florence and all of Italy, the entire collection of art of the Medici family is stored here, and this is a little bit - the masterpieces of the main masters of the Renaissance: Michelangelo, Raphael, Botticelli, Da Vinci. The queues here are kilometer long, but you can buy a ticket in advance at.

Vecchio Bridge (Ponte Veccio)

Already at sunset, passing the arch at the end of the gallery, we get to the embankment of the Arno River, which divides Florence into two parts. The main decoration of the river is Ponte Veccio, a bridge plastered with old houses, on which shops of gold merchants have been located since the time of the Medici. This bridge is always very crowded, so if you are not interested in gold items sold at wild tourist prices, then it is better to look at vecchio bridge from afar, descending from the embankment to the river and sitting down on a neat lawn - as we did, and as almost all Florentine youth do every warm evening.

Sunset, the sound of the river, openwork bridges and the giants of ancient buildings at the top along the embankment - perhaps the best end to a day of Florentine history and culture.

P\S, we almost didn't say anything about local restaurants, because there are a lot of them here and we will dedicate the most interesting of them.

Florence is famous for its numerous museums and art galleries, it is impossible to see all of them in 1 day. In front of the most significant gallery in Florence - the Uffizi - there are always very long queues, so when you visit the city for a day, you can hardly expect to get there. This is best done if you have at least 2-3 days left.

If you have only one day to see Florence, then just walk around the city and choose to visit 2-3 attractions that interest you the most. We specially present a rich program so that you can choose the most attractive museums, palaces or cathedrals for you.

Of course, Cathedral Square, Piazza della Signoria, the Basilica of San Lorenzo and the Ponte Vecchio bridge are mandatory for inspection.

Ticket prices and visiting hours for museums and attractions are presented for 2019: check the information on the official websites.

Piazza Signoria and nearby

Most likely, you will arrive in Florence by train. From the station, take Via Sant'Antonino, which will take you to Via Guelfa. If you turn right, you will come to the famous squares of Florence and the Uffizi Gallery.

Take a stroll through Piazza della Signoria, an old square dating back to the Roman era. In those days, a theater was located here, later - tower houses were built by the ruling Ghibellines of Uberti.

On the site of the destroyed towers in the 13th century, the Palazzo Vecchio was erected, looking like an impregnable fortress. Originally built to house the priors of Florence, today it houses the town hall and the art museum.

The palace is open to the public:

• from October to March from 9.00 to 19.00 on all days except Tuesday (only until 14.00);
• from April to September from 9.00 to 23.00 daily, and on Tuesday - until 14.00.

A full ticket to the Vecchio palace with a visit to the museum, the archaeological area and the tower costs 18 Euros.

If you want to see only the museum and climb the tower, then the ticket will cost only 14 Euros (the same price for visiting the museum + archaeological zone). Separately, the archaeological zone can be viewed for 4 Euros, to climb the tower - 10 Euros.

Pavilion Loggia Lanzi

Pavilion Loggia Lanzi (Loggia dei Lanzi) is also located on Piazza della Signoria and is an open gallery with a colonnade.

It was erected for the Florentine nobility: ceremonies and important events were held there. Currently, the pavilion houses ancient Roman sculptures - they are located near the walls of the building.

If you walk to the embankment from Piazza della Signoria, then you will come to the famous Uffizi Gallery (Galleria degli Uffizi), located on the square of the same name. This is one of the oldest galleries in the world - it was open to the public in the 16th century. It is here that the masterpieces of Michelangelo, Raphael, Buonarotti, Leonardo da Vinci and other famous artists are kept.

The most significant works in the Gallery are "Spring", "Slander", "Madonna and Child with an Angel", "The Birth of Venus" by Botticelli, "Adoration of the Magi" and "Annunciation" by Leonardo da Vinci, "Venus of Urbino" by Titian, "Baptism Christ" Verrocchio.

Photo: francesco cepolina / Shutterstock.com

Opening hours and ticket prices

The gallery is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 8.15 to 18.50.

In order not to stand in line for half a day, it is better to book tickets in advance on the official website - however, you will have to pay 4 Euros extra.

Cathedral Square and nearby

After Piazza Signoria and the Uffizi Gallery, hurry to the Cathedral Square, where the beautiful Duomo, the Baptistery and the bell tower are located, from the height of which an unforgettable view of the whole city opens!

Cathedral of Florence

The most important landmark in Florence is the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore (La Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore). The name is translated only as "the flower of St. Mary." The cathedral looks very impressive, and its reddish dome is visible from afar. The construction of the Duomo began in the 13th century and continued until the 19th century.

Of particular architectural significance is the dome, created by Filippo Brunelleschi. To visit the observation deck of the dome, you need to overcome 463 steps.

The main religious treasure of the cathedral is the urn containing the relics of Saint Zenobius of Florence. Also of interest are the original clocks running backwards.

Photo: Renata Sedmakova / Shutterstock.com