Things to Do and See in Florence

An exceptional city of art, Florence is full of charm, starting with its historic center, where you can admire countless masterpieces of art and architecture that evoke its past splendor: Piazza del Duomo is home to the Duomo, or Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, filled with works of art and crowned by Brunelleschi’s famous dome; the Baptistery of San Giovanni, an example of Florentine Romanesque architecture; and Giotto’s Bell Tower, a masterpiece of Florentine Gothic architecture. Continuing on to Piazza della Signoria, you’ll come across the Palazzo della Signoria, or Palazzo Vecchio, one of the city’s most iconic landmarks. In front of it, you can admire several statues, including a copy of Michelangelo’s famous David, while the original is on display at the Accademia Gallery. The undisputed star of the square, however, remains the famous Uffizi Gallery, home to one of the world’s most important and famous museums, which houses masterpieces such as Botticelli’s *The Birth of Venus* and *Spring*, Leonardo’s *Adoration of the Magi*, and several works by Michelangelo. Finally, a visit to the spectacular square dominated by Palazzo Pitti—the imposing and opulent palace that served as the Medici family’s residence—is a must. Furthermore, other interesting tourist sites include Empoli, with the Collegiate Church of Sant’Andrea, and Certaldo, the birthplace of the writer Giovanni Boccaccio, which is home to the 14th-century Palazzo Pretorio and Boccaccio’s House, featuring a library specializing in the *Decameron*.