Florence has been the gift to humanity left to us by prior generations for centuries. The banking wealth of Florence enabled the city to flourish during the Renaissance and the Medici, along with other banking families, funded numerous construction and art projects helping to create the jewel that is Florence. I absolutely love Florence. It is a cultural gem. Great food, beautiful buildings, fabulous shopping and some of humanity’s most beloved pieces of art.
The Architecture
The Duomo
One of the most famous architectural feats of Florence is the Duomo, named Santa Maria del Fiore. The Duomo, originally started in 1296 and finished in 1436, is built with white and green marble in geometric shapes with the addition of red marble details here and there. It is a really impressive structure. To my surprise, for all its grandeur on the outside the interior is surprisingly simple. It has large beautiful white marble columns but lacks the frescoes plastered wall to wall you tend to find in the other cathedrals. I prefer this simple and serene setting over the busy and opulent settings of some others. It may be less interesting to look at on vacation but I would prefer it as a place of worship as it exudes serenity.
Palazzo Pitti
Palazzo Pitti was the personal palace of the Medici during their reign as the Ducal family of Florence. It has a long and fascinating history. Originally, commissioned and built for the banker Luca Pitti (an ally of the Medici whom died prior to the completion), it came into possession of the Medici family about 100 years later.
The Medici had Palazzo Pitti connected to Palazzo Vecchio (where the main family lived as rulers of Florence), the Uffizi, and Ponte Vecchio via the Vasari Corridor. This was to enable the Medici to be able to move about freely in a secure manner for fear of assassination attempts. When the Medici line died out the palazzo passed to the subsequent ruling houses of Tuscany. Later, Napoleon would use the palazzo during his brief control over Italy.
Don’t miss the Boboli garden, the grounds of Pitti Palazzo. Boboli was added by the Medici and has some nice wooded areas to get lost in.
Ponte Vecchio
What makes Ponte Vecchio so fascinating is that little ships line it on both sides. The Gold shops that line the Ponte Vecchio date all the way back from the height of the Medici era and are an iconic part of the city dating back centuries. The Gold shops are not the original habitants of Ponte Vecchio though. Ponte Vecchio was originally home to a meat market. However, when the Vasari Corridor was commissioned by Cosimo I de Medici in the mid 1500s, the meat market relocated as Cosimo did not like the smell emanating from it. As a result, goldsmiths, a more luxurious and visually pleasing industry, replaced the meat market and their successors still line Ponte Vecchio to this day.
Palazzo Vecchio
Palazzo Vecchio was the center of authority and city administration and eventually the home of the Medici when Florence converted to a Duchy and the Medici ruled Florence. It is now home to a museum and city hall but has some areas in the courtyard and first floor that are open to the public without paying. My favorite is the courtyard. It has images of the different Florentine guilds as well as several Hapsburg empire cities. Many of these frescoes are now partially worn away but remain stunning nonetheless. The columns have intricate detailing, adding sumptuous splendor to the courtyard and creating a pleasant and peaceful place to walk. I have been here a few times and it has been empty every time. I think the rest of the tourist crowd is rushing to the museum here or the Uffizi. As a result, this gem of a courtyard is generally empty and peacefully enjoyable.
The palazzo also houses one of my favorite modern statues (although it would be fair if you confused it for a few centuries old), also free to view, La Pieta by Francesco Vezzoli (pictured above).
Art
The Uffizi
The Uffize is both an architectural beauty and home to the great art pieces of Florence. This is absolutely a must see. There are amazing pieces and the world owes a debt of gratitude to the Medici family for commissioning and bringing treasure to Florence. The ceilings of the Uffizi alone are worth a visit but also contains beautiful paintings by Botticelli and an impressive series of paintings of the seven virtues.
My favorite painting is this awesome ceiling painting of what I think is a rendition of Isis, or a vampire goddess pulled on a chariot by bats. I tried to find the history on this particular part of the ceiling but can not information about it other than bats were a symbol of the Medici and seen as good luck.
Then there is these awesome bronze boar statutes. I am not sure why but these guys call to me and I would love to have them in my house. I never thought I would say that I loved pig art, but here we are.
Then there is this statute, entitled Lion’s Penis, dating from the 1st century. It is a Roman piece of art. I am not sure why anyone would ever commission this. The most interesting thing for me about this piece is the impeccable shape this piece is in. This piece looks nearly untouched by time, suggesting it has been cared for and protected and potentially treasured for millenia by multiple people/families. Since the first century, someone has found this art piece to be a treasure. Just let that sink in for a bit.
And we can’t forget Medusa’s head.
The Accademia Galleria: The David
There are a lot of beautiful sculptures here, but the star is the David. This is a very popular location and very difficult to get into without purchasing tickets ahead of time. I almost didn’t get to see the David because I was only able to get tickets attached to a tour because I didn’t get them early enough and it was pricey. However, I am so glad I splurged on this. Michealangelo’s David is underrated. And considering it is a main attraction, that is saying something. Everyone should see the David in person if in Florence.
I thought I had seen the David, I have seen countless remakes and paintings of the David. I thought, yeah, it would be cool to see the original in person but is it worth the effort when I have seen it remade countless times? The answer is yes. Go see it. The Remakes Do Not Compare.
First, the David is ginormous at 17 feet tall. That is right, 17 feet tall. And so detailed. You can see the veins running down the arms and in the hands of this statute. The knuckles of his hands have details so accurate it is hard to believe you are looking at marble. He has a detailed Adam’s apple. Every aspect of the David is in proportion and accurate to a body. It is truly a masterpiece and should be given world wonder status. It is so grand, so impressive, so detailed and just impeccable in every measure.
Loggia dei Lanzi
Piazza della Signoria is home to an open air sculpture gallery the Loggia dei Lanzi. Which is truly amazing as some of these sculptures nearly two thousand years old from Rome including the Medici Lions and Ajax with Achilles body. Some are remakes but some are original. The Loggia dei Lanzi is open to anyone roaming around Florence and for everyone to enjoy. The first time I came to Florence it was empty and everyone was flocking to the Uffizi. Another gem that can be enjoyed leisurely. And, enjoyed all with a view of the Neptune Fountain which is a must see itself.
My favorite sculpture here is Benvenuto Cellini’s original bronze statue of Perseus with the Head of Medusa dating to 1554. I love this piece so much I bought a Lithograph depicting it for my art piece for this trip (I buy a piece of art or something for my house every time I travel so that my house is full of mementos of my trips). As a side note I would have bought a second art pieces if I found a rendering of the Bat goddess from the Uffizi I mentioned above, but no. No renderings, no information, nothing. If there is an art student out there, please do some research and thesis on this piece please!!
Florence is a Gift to Humanity and is Worth all of the Hype
The beauty and art that Florence has brought to the world is potentially unparalleled. Paris has a lot of beauty both architecturally and artistically as well, but Florence predates the beauties of Paris and has endeavored to preserve this beauty over centuries. This does not take anything away from what Paris has to offer which is incredible in itself, but I think that Florence transports you in time. Additionally, I felt incredibly safe the whole time and was not once approached by a scammer and there was not a pickpocket problem from what I could tell. This can be rare these days. I love you Florence and hope to see you again!