Duomo - Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore

One of the largest cathedrals on earth, the main attraction is its amazing red brick dome or cupola which was created by Filippo Brunelleschi back in the sixteen hundreds. Climbing the 463 steps to the top of this florentine cathedral will give you an unparalleled view of the city.

Around Piazza della Signoria

The piazza has the appearance of an outdoor sculpture gallery. Ammannati's huge Fountain of Neptune sites beside the Palazzo Vecchio, and on either side of the entrance to the palace are copies of Michelangelo's David and Donatello's Florentine lion, Marzocco. An equestrian statue of Cosimo de' Medici by Giambologna stands towards the center of the piazza. A bronze plaque marks the spot where Savonarola was hanged and burnt at the stake in 1498. The Loggia della Signoria served as a platform for public ceremonies in the 14th century and is now a showcase for sculptures.

Benvenuto Cellini's magnificent statue of Perseus holding the head of Medusa and Giambologna's (Giovanni da Bologna) Rape of the Sabine Women, his final work which is a famous example of Mannerist sculpture are not to be missed.

Spedale degli Innocenti

Founded in 1421 and seved as Europe's first orphanage. Just below the portico near the entrance was a small revolving door where unwanted children were left. A good number of people in Florence with surnames such as degli Innocenti, Innocenti and Nocentini, can trace their family tree only as far back as the orphanage. A small gallery inside features works by Florentine artists, including Luca della Robbia and Domenico Ghirlandaio.

Ponte Vecchio

The famous Ponte Vecchio bridge was the only structure to survive the bombs of the retreating Nazis. Although the current bridge was built in the mid-14th century, this location was for crossing the river since the Roman Empire. The bridge was build several times and now servers as a center of commerce as butcher shops sprang up all around. This central location made it pricey and butchers were replaced by goldsmiths who could better afford it. The bridge makes a spectacular vew from a few hundred meters away. The view from the small piazza in the centre of the bridge is also impressive.

Certosa del Galluzzo

The Certosa lies on the summit of a hill to the south of Florence. The building was erected by Niccolò Acciaioli, a powerful Florentine citizen with the aim of creating both a religious centre and a structure to educate the young ones. It became one of the most powerful monasteries in Europe and exhibited over 500 works of art until Napoleon's spoliation. It was also famous for its library and the church of S. Lorenzo richly decorated with frescoes, paintings, a sumptuous marble altar of the 16th century and an ancient crypt with tombs of the Acciaioli family.

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