Brief description of the places and monuments mentioned
The square of Santa Maria Novella: historically seat of the Dominican friars. Here one can admire the splendid basilica of Santa Maria Novella, gothic in form, wherein one finds masterpieces of the 13 and 1400s. The ticket is 2.58 euro
The medieval religious center: the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiori, the Baptistry and the Belltower of Giotto. Situated on the northern extreme of the XI century city, it was the religious heart of the Florence. One finds here some of the most ancient testimonies of citizen religious life. It has always represented the civic pride and desire for power of the Florentines. Moreover, the religious center has been enriched, through the centuries, with fascinating works of art: from the statues by Donatello to the Gates of Paridise by Ghiberti, to the masterpiece of architectural engineering which is Brunelleschi's dome.
The medieval political center: Piazza della Signoria or government square, ornamented with splendid sculptures, is a veritable museum in the open air. Palazzo Vecchio (government house) faces the square: symbol of civic unity from the beginning of the 1300s, it became in the 1500s the focal point for a requalification of the civic center in Monarchic key during the period of the Medici Grand-Dukes.
The Basilica of Santa Croce: Situated in the eponymous square at the eastern extreme of the historical center. With the arrival of the mendicant orders, in the 1200s, a new religiosity was born intent upon the rediscovery of the earliest Christian values. Within the cornice of the Gothic Francescan basilica, one can admire frescoes by Giotto and his school, the sculpture of Donatello or visit the tombs of Michelangelo, Machiavelli and Galileo amongst others.
Piazzale Michelangelo: From the hill situated to the south one can admire one of the most suggestive views in Florence. Moreover, it dominates all of the monuments one encounters during a visit of the city.
The Laurentian complex: composed of the basilica of San Lorenzo, projected and, in part, realised by Brunelleschi, the Laurentian library and The New Sacristy, both ideated by Michelangelo, and finally the Chapel of The Princes, mausoleum of the Medici Grand-Dukes.<O:P</O:P <O:P</O:P
The Pazzi Chapel: together with The Old Sacristy of San Lorenzo, both designed by Brunelleschi, one of the most important testimonies of the birth of the Renaissance in Architecture.
The Medici-Ricardi Palace: prototype of the Renaissance palace. The palace was designed by Michelozzo , one the very first followers of Brunelleschi, and begun in 1444. Inside we find the splendid family chapel affrescoed by Benozzo Gozzoli.
Ponte Vecchio: the historical bridge reconstructed after the disastrous flood of 1333. Here one can admire characteristic gold-smith's shops and the celebrated Vasarian Corridor which collegates The Pitti Palace with Palazzo Vecchio. <O:P</O:P
Fiesole: visit to the Archeological Area of Fiesole. It is thought that the Etruscans of Fiesole were the first to frequent the territory, watered by the river Arno, where later the Romans founded Florence. The Archeological Area contains an Etruscan temple, altar, and parts of their imposing walls, while from the Roman period comes the theater, a temple and the baths.