The historical centre of Florence is not a very big area: museums and interesting sites are easily accessible both by bus or on foot. The Cathedral with the magnificent dome built by the famous architect Brunelleschi, usually among the first places visited by tourists, is situated in the east side of the city centre. In the the main palaces and monuments situated in the north side of the historical core we can recognize the architectural influence left by the Medici family, whereas the west side of the city cente is rich in elegant e luxury shops. Beyond the Arno river we find the “Oltrarno” area, a part of the city centre very picturesque, famous for its wonderful Pitti Palace and its very characteristic workshops.
Cathedral Square - After his conversion to Christianity (313 a.C.), the emperor Costantino ordered to build a church in place of the ancient roman temple: the Cathedral. During the Middle Ages, with the growing progress of Florence as a political power, the Cathedral square was embellished by adding Romanesque, Gothic and Renaissance monuments .. Cathedral Square
Piazza della Signoria - Since the Middle Ages, Piazza della Signoria has been considered Florence political centre. On the left, there are the equestrian statue of Cosimo I (1594) and the fountain of Neptune, which the Florentine call Biancone. A plaque in the floor in front of the fountain indicates the exact place where Girolamo Savonarola was executed in 1498 ... Piazza della Signoria
Santa Maria Novella - Just a few metres from Santa Maria Novella railway station rises the Basilica of Santa Maria Novella The Dominican Friars manage the Basilica, one of Florence most important churches, where in the past several Popes lived during their stays in Florence The church commands Piazza Santa Maria Novella a suggestive square where private traffic is ... Santa Maria Novella
San Lorenzo - The district of San Lorenzo is the symbol of the Medici dynasty. Here, the Basilica of San Lorenzo was built by order of the Medici family. The Cappelle Medicee (Medici Chapels) and the Cappella dei Principi (Chapel of the Princes) are the burial places of the most important members of the family. The Basilica of San Lorenzo stands not too far from Palazzo Medici Riccardi the Medici`s Renaissance ... San Lorenzo
Oltrarno - South of Ponte Vecchio there is the so-called Oltrarno. This quarter is the most suggestive and characteristic part of the ancient Florence In the Oltrarno there are many "trattorias", where tourists can taste typical Florentine and Tuscan dishes, craftman`s workshops and antique shops. The Oltrarno is surrounded by green hills and rich in magnificent gardens .. Oltrarno
Santa Croce - Le grandi dimensioni di Piazza di Santa Croce permetteva nel periodo medioevale e nel periodo rinascimentale la realizzazione in essa di numerose celebrazioni religiose e di giostre ed altre manifestazioni festose . Nel periodo di Savonarola Piazza Santa Croce fu teatro di numerosi tragici episodi quali l`esecuzione delle condanne degli eretici .
Antica manifestazione che ancora oggi viene celebrata nella piazza fiorentina e` la partita del .. Santa Croce
San Marco - The church of San Marco commands the homonymous square, which was the theatre of the passionate preaching by Girolamo Savonarola, the Dominican priest who ruled Florence from 1494 until his execution in Piazza della Signoria in 1498. Some important monuments are to be found in the neighbourhood of San Marco such as the Museum of San Marco housing some precious works by Fra` Beato Angelico, the Galleria dell`Accademia (Academy Gallery), where the famous David by Michelangelo is to be found, and ... San Marco
