A Florence hotel is a wonderful thing because…
Can we possibly limit the must-dos in Florence to just five? Well we can try. With spring definitely coming in we look at why ‘a Florence hotel is a wonderful thing…’ with your top five essential sights and sites in Florence.
* The Duomo. Cathedrals in Italy are called ‘il duomo’ (the dome) by default … even if they don’t have a dome, which most of them, of course, do. The duomo in Florence is a work of rare architectural splendour, and was indeed a groundbreaking construction in its day. So look for a Florence hotel near to Brunelleschi’s masterpiece.
* The Uffizi Gallery. The world’s most remarkable collection of Italian Renaissance paintings, and occupying what were once the government offices of Cosimo I (one of the ruling Medici clan). Uffizi means offices you see. 45 rooms with works by Giotto, Cimabue, Filippo Lippi, Piero della Francesca, Bronzino, Leonardo (of course), Botticelli and a host of other Tuscan and Italian geniuses. Unmissable, so make sure your Florence hotel is within reach of the Uffizi.
* The Bargello. After the paintings, the sculptures. The Museo Nazionale del Bargello has pieces by Michelangelo, Ammannati, Giambologna, Cellini, Luca della Robbia, a superb bronze David, and a room of marvellous Renaissance portrait busts. Don’t leave Florence without a visit, and make sure that your Florence hotel allows for a visit to the marvellous Bargello.
* The Accademia. Because it has Michelangelo’s David of course. But tourist box-ticking aside, there are a half dozen other masterpieces by the Tuscan maestro, as well as some perfectly viewable paintings by Bottichello, Pontormo and others. The Accademia was so called because it was Florence’s first drawing academy by the way, a fascinating historical footnote in this city of great draughtsman artists. Need we say that your Florence hotel should be within easy reach of the Accademia del Disegno.
* Piazza Santa Croce. One of Florence’s largest squares and a hub for much that happens in the Tuscan city. This was one of Florence’s most populous districts before the floods in 1966. It is home to many of the city’s festivals and other ceremonial events and has the huge Franciscan hulk of the Church of Santa Croce. The church’s chapels have fresco cycles by Giotto and others. There are bars, restaurants, cafes, the Sant’Ambrogio market, the Museo Horne and the Casa Buonarroti, dedicated to favourite son Michelangelo. Try and find a Florence hotel near Piazza Santa Croce.
ahotelinitaly’s Florence hotel listings
Tickets for Florence attractions, includin the Uffizi – tickitaly.com
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