Florence is Tuscany’s shining crown, an elegant city steeped in art and history. Despite being overrun by visitors, this seemed to bother me less than in other places we’ve traveled. The city – the birthplace of the Renaissance – exudes a poetic romanticism with an ornamental aesthetic that feels like it should be seen and appreciated.
Florence might be most well known for its art, home to works by Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo and Raphael. Much of this is thanks to the Medici family, a powerful Italian banking dynasty that ruled Tuscany for several centuries and commissioned many works of art and architecture. Given this exceptional artistic and architectural heritage, the historic centre of Florence is a protected UNESCO World Heritage site.
The museums are endless, though the Galleria dell’Accademia is famous for Michelangelo’s statue of David (which Elia really loved, as you can tell) and the Uffizi Gallery for works by Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo and Sandro Botticelli.
The architecture is also like a work of art. Piazza del Duomo’s centrepiece is the cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, known for its striking dome designed by Brunelleschi, and has to be one of the most breathtaking buildings in Europe.
Ponte Vecchio is the oldest bridge in Florence, crossing over the Arno River. Built in the Middle Ages, the bridge became a marketplace for butchers, fishmongers and grocers. Eventually the cleanliness and odor of these goods became intolerable and the Medici family outlawed the trade of raw goods on the bridge. Jewelry and art took its place instead, and to this day, the bridge is full of jewelry shops (while also being a very busy pedestrian thoroughfare).
A perfect place to end the day is Piazzale Michelangelo, which offers stunning panoramic views of the city’s skyline:
