In Canto XXVI of Inferno, Dante Alighieri depicts Florence as a city of such magnificence that it is famous even in the depths of hell.Known since ancient times, Florence is distinguished by the majesty of its historic buildings and its priceless artistic heritage from the Middle Ages to the Renaissance, a period that saw Florence as its world centerpiece. But the history of the Tuscan capital begins much earlier.
Florence’s roots go back to the Villanovan period of the Etruscan age, with traces of settlement as far back as prehistoric times. Its name, Florence, derives from “Florentia,” which in Latin literally means “wish for abundance.”
With a history going back millennia and culminating in the explosion of the Renaissance, Florence is teeming with wonders to explore. Every corner of its historic center of Florence hides a treasure, a story or a myth. From the prime location of B&B “Cento Passi dal Duomo,” right in the center of Arezzo, getting to Florence is quick and easy.
That is why we would like to suggest some must-see attractions in the city. Florence is not only a Tuscan treasure, but world cultural heritage of unparalleled greatness. Don’t miss the opportunity to immerse yourself in its charms. For more details and tips, explore our guides and plan your Florentine adventure to the fullest!
Piazza del Duomo: a museum en plein air
The renowned Piazza del Duomo is often cited by Florentine institutions as an “open-air art exhibit,” and would be worthy of a monograph. This fascinating place is home to the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, which alone represents a concentration of extraordinary masterpieces.
From this prime location you can admire Brunelleschi’s mighty Dome, a symbol of human ingenuity and art, along with Giotto’s striking Campanile. Don’t forget to discover the surprising beauties of the Baptistery of San Giovanni and the Crypt of Santa Reparata, as well as the not-to-be-missed Museo dell’Opera del Duomo.
Each of these artistic marvels is now part of a single museum complex and therefore one ticket allows access to all the buildings in the square. There’s no denying it: a walk around the Piazza del Duomo is worth a trip to Florence, even if you were coming from the farthest corner of the world!
Ponte Vecchio : a place in Florence so beautiful it doesn’t seem real
The Ponte Vecchio is unquestionably one of the most iconic bridges in the world. Its stunning aesthetics captivated even German troops at the end of World War II. Indeed, even having been ordered to tear down Florence’s bridges to hinder the Allied advance, even they chose to spare its beauty . Walking along its structure, which overlooks the Arno River, one can appreciate an incomparable view and it is easy to understand why it was saved from the destructive Nazi fury.
An emblematic feature of the Ponte Vecchio is the Vasari Corridor, designed in the 16th century by the famous Arezzo architect Giorgio Vasari for Cosimo I de’ Medici. This route ensured that the Florentine nobility could cross the bridge away from the populace. Now inside, it houses more than 1,000 works of art from the Uffizi collection, offering an extraordinary and unique experience.
The Uffizi Gallery: priceless heritage of humanity
After evoking the beauty of the Ponte Vecchio and the Vasari Corridor, it is essential to mention the incomparable Uffizi Gallery. Already admiring the Uffizi building from the outside one can sense the cultural depth of this place. Indeed, the Piazzale degli Uffizi sports imposing statues that pay homage to key figures of the Tuscan territory.
It will be possible to admire depictions of figures such as Lorenzo De’ Medici known as the Magnificent, Guido d’Arezzo, Leonardo da Vinci, Galileo Galilei, Dante Alighieri and many others.
Yet the interior of the Uffizi Gallery is even more magnificent, so much so that it is, along with the Vatican Museums in Rome, one of the most visited museums in the world. The list of things to see in the Uffizi Gallery is truly impressive. Here you will find master works by Leonardo, Cimabue, Caravaggio, Raphael, Giotto, and Titian.
The list continues with Mantegna, Rembrant, Botticelli, Pontormo, Bronzino, Andrea del Sarto, and many others.
Uffizi is an obligatory stop for those visiting Florence.
The Accademia Gallery: home of the original David
Accademia Gallery will leave you enraptured, on par with the illustrious Uffizi. Here you can admire works by masters such as Botticelli, Ghirlandaio and Pontorno. But the real jewel of the Accademia is Michelangelo’s David. This imposing marble masterpiece, more than 5 meters tall, boasts a unique history and every year alone attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors.
Pitti Palace and the Boboli Gardens of Florence
The magnificent Pitti Palace, former residence of the Tuscan Grand Dukes, holds many valuable collections. Within its walls, you can explore the Palatine Gallery, the opulent Royal Apartments, a fine Gallery of Modern Art, and the Museums specializing in Silver and Porcelain. Don’t miss the Costume Gallery, a centerpiece of international fashion history. Adjacent, the Boboli Gardens, with its wealth of landscapes and structures, is worth a visit of at least three hours.
Palazzo Vecchio: the heart of Florence’s municipal power.
The majestic Palazzo Vecchio, which houses several administrative offices, is also home to the office of the Mayor of Florence. This architectural gem is included in the city’s civic museum series and proudly features among the collections of the Google Art Project. Once inside, you will be enchanted by the Salone dei Cinquecento, the intricate maps in the Sala delle Carte Geografiche and the Sala delle Udienze. Impossible not to visit the Chapel of Duchess Eleanor of Toledo. Adding charm to charm, archaeological remains of an ancient Roman Amphitheater, dated between the 1st and 2nd centuries BC, were discovered in 2010.
The Basilica of Santa Maria Novella : the most famous Church in Florence
At the splendid Basilica of Santa Maria Novella, you can be enchanted by a Crucifix by Giotto, one carved in wood by Brunelleschi and Masaccio’s majestic Trinity. Its stunning exterior façade elevates it among the masterpieces of the Florentine Renaissance. It is worth mentioning the Strozzi and Tornabuoni Chapels, the adjoining museum, and the impressive Chiostro Grande, which can be visited only on special occasions.
Explore Florence starting from Cento Passi dal Duomo!
As we conclude our roundup of Florentine beauty, we realize that we have only touched on its magnificence. In fact, we could devote pages and pages to the things to see in Florence. Given its proximity to Arezzo, Florence is conveniently accessible from the “Cento Passi dal Duomo” B&B. The train station in Arezzo is very close to our B&B. Getting on a train from Arezzo to Florence is therefore very easy, with frequent hourly connections.
From the team of B&B “Cento Passi dal Duomo” a dispassionate advice: do not miss the opportunity to visit Florence during your stay in Tuscany! We are sure it will captivate you with its unmistakable charm and rich history. The undisputed cradle of the Renaissance awaits you, just a short distance from Arezzo and the “Cento Passi dal Duomo” B&B!