Italy — Florence
Traveling
About 400,000 people call the city of Florence, which serves as the capital of Tuscany, home. The city of Florence has a favorable location due to its proximity to the geographic center of the Italian peninsula, its area on the banks of the Arno river, and its surroundings of olive groves and vineyards. Florence is undoubtedly the most visited, renowned, and picturesque city in Tuscany. It is also a tourist destination since it attracts millions of visitors from all over the globe, regardless of the season. Most of the city’s tourist attractions may be found within five hundred meters of Florence’s Piazza della Signoria. Outside this border are the crucial churches of San Marco, Accademia, and Santa Maria Novella.
Florence is renowned worldwide for its extensive collection of art treasures dating back to the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, which may be without equal in the annals of human history. It is acknowledged as one of the cradles of human culture and is known as the area where the Renaissance began. This region is known for its contributions to the arts of painting, sculpture, architecture, music, and literature. The unique artistic legacy monument to Florence’s centuries-old culture is carefully preserved throughout the city. You can see famous monuments that mark the stages of Florentine art if you visit the sights in Florence. These include the Baptistery with its exceptional mosaics, the Cathedral with its sculptures, the medieval churches, the public buildings, and the private Palazzo Vecchio, Palazzo Pitti, Palazzo Medici Riccardi, and Palazzo Davanzati. The Medici family, which started its rise to power in the 12th century, was responsible for promoting and, to a significant extent, financing the creation of these creative masterpieces. The Medici family dominated Florence until 1700, even though the city’s significance on the political and economic fronts had significantly declined.
From the adjacent hills, particularly Forte Belvedere, Piazzale Michelangelo, and the hills of Fiesole, which give one of the most stunning views of the Arno valley, it is possible to see and enjoy the ancient city in its entirety. Dante, considered the progenitor of Italian poetry, was born in Florence, giving it another claim to fame of the town. Florence was the city that gave birth to the Italian Renaissance and was home to many of Italy’s most famous painters. Michelangelo unveiled the latent potential of marble; Ghiberti’s baptistery doors brought up a fresh viewpoint on metalwork, and Leonardo da Vinci painted the Mona Lisa here. Brunelleschi’s Dome, masterfully planned, revolutionized how church domes would be built from that point on. Donatello, Giotto, Fra Angelico, Pisano, della Robbia, and many more painters produced masterpiece after masterpiece in Florence.
Art and science have always been intertwined in Florence. Since the time of Charles, the city has been home to a university, which now has a number of institutions dedicated to specific fields of study. The National Library and many other renowned libraries, such as the Laurentian, Riccardiana, and Marucelliana, are responsible for preserving extensive collections. The municipal and state archives both have copies of essential papers stored there. You will not be able to visit all these marvels on a short trip to Florence; thus, you should do as much research as possible before departing.
Throughout the year, Florence plays home to significant events that cater to various requirements. In this section, we discuss the musical performances that take place during the Maggio Musicale Fiorentino as well as the Italian fashion shows that take place in the center of Florence. In addition, Florence is renowned for its exquisite taste and refined nature of its works of art and for its handcrafted goods, which carry on historical heritage. Lingerie and embroidery are two of the most well-known products. Jewelry made of silver and gold, in addition to antiques, is quite desirable. By browsing the area of the Florence website devoted to deals, you can make sure that you book in advance since costs tend to be pretty expensive during the high season.
Travelers who have visited Florence since the 13th century have complemented the city’s hospitality, which eventually blossomed into a large hotel complex consisting of more than 400 hotels with a capacity of 20,000 beds. Young people may choose from a plethora of different hostels and camping grounds.
The Dome that dominates Florence
The Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore, often known as the Dome of Florence, is the most important church in the Italian city of Florence. In 1296, Arnolfo di Cambio was responsible for supervising the building of the Dome of Florence. After some time had passed, in the year 1436, Filippo Brunelleschi was able to finish the design of the Duomo. The architectural complex, which includes the Cathedral, the bell tower, and the Baptistery, is located only a few blocks away from Piazza della Signoria and the river Arno. It is less than 20 minute walk east from the train station. This structure is included on the UNESCO World Heritage List as a World Heritage Site. The Dome of the basilica was the biggest in the world until the advent of new structural materials in contemporary times. The basilica is one of the largest churches in Italy. It is still the enormous brick dome that has ever been constructed. The three buildings each have its plaza, an open area always packed with visitors. The Dome is most enjoyable to explore first thing in the morning before any guided tours begin.
The design for the outside of the basilica was developed in the 19th century, and it has marble polychromes, panels in varying hues of green and pink that are bordered with white, and more. The Cathedral serves as the mother church for the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Florence, which Giuseppe Betori leads as archbishop.
This Cathedral was an ancient structure that was created in the 5th century. Arnolfo di Cambio was the architect of the new church, and his plan was given final approval by the city council in the year 1294. Additionally, the church of Santa Croce and the Palazzo Vecchio was designed by the same architect: Arnolfo di Cambio. He intended the church to have three large naves that ended under an octagonal dome, with the central nave spanning the region known as Santa Reparata. On September 9, 1296, Cardinal Valeriana, the first pope to be sent to Florence, was responsible for laying the foundation stone. The creation of this enormous structure resulted from the combined labor of several generations spread out over 140 years.
After Arnolfo died in 1302, construction on the Cathedral came to a halt for the next thirty years. In the year 1330, in the city of Santa Reparata, the remains of Saint Zenobius were found, which provided a fresh impetus for the project. In 1331, a guild of wool merchants known as the Arte della Lana gained sole sponsorship for building the Cathedral. In 1334, Giotto was selected to supervise the work that was being done at the Cathedral. Assisted by Andrea Pisano, Giotto completed Arnolfo di Cambio’s idea. His most notable accomplishment was the edifice of which it was composed, the bell tower. After Giotto died in 1337, Andrea Pisano resumed the construction of the structure until it was interrupted again in 1348 owing to an outbreak of the Black Death.
Francesco Talenti was the first architect to continue construction in 1349. He completed the bell tower and incorporated the apse and side chapels into the plan. Other architects followed in his footsteps. After Talenti died in 1359, Giovanni di Lapo Ghini (1360–1369) took over, and he was the one who partitioned the central nave into four sections. Other architects were Alberto Arnoldi, Giovanni Ambrogio, Neri di Fioravante and Andrea Orcagna. In 1375, the previous Santa Reparata church was razed to the ground. The nave was completed in 1380.
The structure of the Cathedral in Florence is similar to that of a basilica, with a nave running down the middle. The Altar and the transepts have the same polygonal floor design and are divided into two smaller chapels with the same floor layout. The entire plan creates a Latin cross. The nave and aisles are divided by broad pointed Gothic arches. The ornamentation of the outside of the Cathedral, which had started in the 14th century and continued far into the 19th century, was not finished until 1887 when the polychrome marble facade was built according to the design of Emilio De Fabris.
This Cathedral has a long and illustrious history, serving as the location of many important events, including the Council of Florence in 1439, the preaching of Girolamo Savonarola, and the execution of Medici Giuliano di Piero.
Republic Square in Florence
Piazza della Repubblica is a plaza in Florence, Italy. Here you will find the city forum and, immediately after that, the ancient ghetto of the city, which was cleaned up during the rebuilding works that began in Florence when it served as the capital of a unified Italy. The Jewish quarter was removed from the plaza, and the Loggia del Pesce, located in the Old Fish Market, was relocated to the Piazza dei Ciompi. The Giubbe Rosse is one of the cafés in this area with a long history of serving as a gathering spot for creative types.
The location of the old Roman forum, which served as the heart of the Roman city, is now known as Piazza della Repubblica.
According to the historian Giovanni Villani, a temple was dedicated to Mars either here or in the vicinity of this location. Since Mars was the patron deity of Florence, he was responsible for instilling the city with its characteristic aggressiveness. According to Villani, a statue of Mars was erected in the Middle Ages on the bridge that came before the Ponte Vecchio but was destroyed by the floods that occurred in 1333. This bridge was the predecessor of the Ponte Vecchio.
The forum region was heavily populated throughout the early medieval era. There was no garden in the city until the fifth wall circle of the city walls was finished. Because there was no longer enough room horizontally, urban expansion had to be carried out vertically. However, despite the passage of time, the location still serves its original purpose as a gathering spot. In Florence, as in other Italian cities, it was defined as a public space for commerce, and it had two complementary holes nearby: the Piazza del Duomo, which was used for political affairs, and the Piazza del Comune, which is now known as the Piazza della Signoria, which was used for political and civil matters.
The Colonna dell’Abbondanza is the only building still a testimony to the former plaza. This particular column was constructed in 1431 and had a statue of Giovan Battista Foggini on its summit. A copy of the monument erected in 1956 is now shown on the column. The actual figure can be seen at Palazzo della Cassa di Risparmio, located via dell’Oriuolo.
The surrounding structures, including medieval towers, churches, palaces, and artisan shops and dwellings, were demolished due to the decision to enlarge the plaza and make it more spacious. The city experienced a significant loss, which was only partially offset by the recovery of a few monuments, such as the Loggia del Pesce, which had to be deconstructed and then reconstructed in Piazza dei Ciompi. Some paintings and sketches showed the plaza’s look before the demolitions in the 19th century.
The Piazza del Michelangelo in Florence
Piazzale Michelangelo is a well-known piazza in Florence, Italy that offers a breathtaking vista of the surrounding area. In the neighborhood of Oltrarno, the plaza is a popular location for visitors. Postcards featuring depictions of the well-known square include images that have been copied from the numerous photographs that have been taken there over the years. The plaza is located on the highest point of a hill to the south of the Arno, and it is surrounded on its northern side by a stone fence that provides a view of the city. It extends from Forte Belvedere to Santa Croce, across the Lungarni and the bridges that span the Arno River.
During the renovation of the left bank of the Arno in 1869, the plaza was constructed on a hill to the south of the old center. The architect Giuseppe Poggi was responsible for the design of the square.
Copies of several of Michelangelo’s works that may be seen in locations other than Florence can be found at the Piazzale Michelangelo. These include David and the four allegories of the Medici Chapel in San Lorenzo. The square was named after the famed Renaissance artist Michelangelo. The originals are all white marble, but these reproductions are bronze.
Poggi designed the loggia, in neoclassical style. It dominates the terrace, which is currently home to a restaurant offering panoramic views. The building was supposed to function as a museum devoted to the works of Michelangelo, but this plan was never carried out.
You can get to Michelangelo Piazzale by driving along the tree-lined Viale Michelangelo, constructed simultaneously. Alternatively, you can get there by walking up the stairs or climbing the ramps of Giuseppe Poggi Piazza, which is located in the San Niccol district and is also known as the “Poggi Ramps.”
Bridge of the Old Bridge (Ponte Vecchio) in Florence
In Florence, Italy, a bridge known as Ponte Vecchio crosses the Arno River. It is famous because businesses are still erected along its sides. Butchers were the original tenants of the stores; nowadays, jewelers, art dealers, and souvenir vendors call the shops their homes.
It is thought that the bridge was constructed during Roman times when the Via Cassia crossed the Arno River at this place. The bridge crosses the Arno at its narrowest point and is located in the middle of the river. Stone was used for the foundation of Roman piers, while wood was used for the superstructure. A document from the year 996 has the first known mention of the bridge. In 1117 it was wiped down by a flood, and in 1333 it was rebuilt out of stone. However, in 1333 it was devastated by floodwaters once again. Giorgio Vasari states that Taddeo Gadi was the one responsible for the rebuilding in the year 1345. Modern historians refer to Neri di Fioravanti as a likely contender. The bridge’s central arch spans 30 meters, while each side arched is 27 meters in length. The bridge is comprised of three pieces.
After obtaining permission from the Bargello, shop owners and merchants set up business on the bridge from the very beginning and exhibited their wares on tables in front of the buildings where they were located (a kind of mayor of the city, a magistrate, and a police authority). The rear shops, known as retrobotteghe, were not visible from upstream until the 17th century after they were constructed.
When a merchant could no longer pay his obligations, soldiers would break (not) the table on which he exhibited his merchandise (banco), a process known as bancorotto. This may have been the genesis of the economic idea of bankruptcy. The merchant could not make any more sales because he lacked a table to display his wares to potential customers.
The Germans did not demolish the Ponte Vecchio during their departure from Florence on August 4, 1944, during the Second World War, in contrast to the destruction of every other bridge in Florence at that time. However, access to the Ponte Vecchio was hindered due to demolishing the structures at both ends of the bridge. These buildings were subsequently restored with a style that was a hybrid of the original and a more contemporary aesthetic.
The City Hall of Florence
The City Hall of Florence, Italy, is located in the historic building known as Palazzo Vecchio. This town hall is indeed remarkable when compared to others throughout Tuscany. The structure became known by its present name when the house of the Duke of Medici was relocated to Palazzo Pitti. The old Priori palace was demolished and rebuilt according to the plans of Arnolfo di Cambio to make way for the current court. This crenelated fortress-like structure has served as a source of inspiration for architects working on public facilities across Tuscany.
In the year 1299, the citizens of Florence concluded that the significance of their city warranted the construction of a palace that would provide the magistrates with a higher level of protection during times of upheaval. On the remains of the Palazzo dei Fanti and Palazzo di Giustizia dell’Esecutore, both of which had been held by the Uberti family in the past, Arnolfo di Cambio started the construction of this structure. Torre di Arnolfo is the name given to the system’s tower in honor of the architect who designed it. The facility is in the form of a booth and contains a straightforward clock.
Rusticated stone was used in constructing the building’s walls, with two rows of Gothic windows. The ornamental bas-reliefs were a contribution by Michelozzo Michelozzi. The inner courtyard, which Michelozzo reconstructed in 1453, may be found inside the main entrance. Giorgio Vasari was the one responsible for its embellishment in 1565.
The building’s inside is beautifully designed and decorated. The enormous chamber of the palace is called the Salone del Cinquecento, and it is used as the meeting area for all five hundred members of the Consiglio Maggiore. The triumphs that Cosimo I had over Pisa and Siena were commemorated by Vasari in the paintings that were created in this chamber. You’ll also see the sculpture of Victoria that Michelangelo created. Studiolo di Francesco I shall captivate you with allegorical paintings by Vasari and bronze sculptures by Giambologna and Ammanati. On the second level of the palace, you will find the chapel, one of the most significant works by Bronzino and filled with murals representing several saints; the Sala dei Gigli; and a bronze statue by Donatello depicting Ludita and Holofernes.
The historic Palazzo Vecchio continues to serve as a symbol of the local administration.
Academy Galleries, located in the city of Florence
The sculptures of Michelangelo housed in the Gallery are the primary reason for its notoriety. These include the cycle of unfinished statues of the Prisoners, San Matteo, and especially the statue of David. The figure of David was moved to this Gallery in 1873 from Piazza della Signoria to a specially designed space within the Gallery.
Influential art pieces were gathered in the neighboring rooms in the 19th century. These rooms had previously been a part of two different monasteries. The works of art came from the Academy of Design, the Academy of Fine Arts, and the dissolved monasteries.
Most of the paintings in the art collections are of religious themes. They were created by prominent painters who lived and worked in or near Florence between the middle of the 13th century and the end of the 16th century. In addition, a portion is a home to Russian icons and a collection of plaster sculptures from the 19th century created by Lorenzo Bartolini and Luigi Pampaloni.
The significant collection of vintage musical instruments that were once housed at the Cherubini Conservatory has only just been donated to the Gallery.
Tower of the Cathedral of Florence
The Campanile di Giotto, also known as the Florence Cathedral Tower, is a structure seen in the Piazza del Duomo and is a component of the Florence Cathedral complex of structures.
The tower is one of the masterpieces of Florentine Gothic architecture created by Giotto. It is situated close to the Basilica of Santa Maria del Fiore and the Baptistery of St. John.
After the death of Arnolfo di Cambio, the first master builder of the Cathedral, in 1302, and a hiatus of work on the Cathedral that lasted for more than thirty years, the renowned painter Giotto di Bondone was selected as his successor in 1334. At the time, Giotto was 67 years old and focused all of his efforts on designing and constructing a bell tower (also known as a campanile) for the Cathedral. The foundation stone was laid on July 19, 1334, and the design was intended to be in accord with the polychrome that Arnolfo di Cambio had created for the Cathedral. When he passed away in 1337, the only level that had been completed was the bottom one. It was ornamented with geometric designs made of white Carrara marble, green Prato marble, and red Siena marble. It is embellished with bas-reliefs of hexagonal panels on three sides, with seven boards each. In the context of the Bible, the number seven stands for the completeness of a person and has specific importance. It is difficult to determine who exactly was responsible for the creative creation of these panels; some of them were done by Giotto, while Andrea Pisano did others.
Giotto, together with Brunelleschi and Alberti, is considered one of the founders of Italian Renaissance architecture because of the work he contributed here.
Andrea Pisano, who was already well-known for his work on the south doors of the Baptistery, replaced Giotto as Master of Works beginning in the year 1343. He continued building the bell tower, adhering closely to Giotto’s plan. He made another level that was embellished with rhombic panels and placed it over Giotto’s bottom tier. Pisano was succeeded by Francesco Talenti, who was responsible for the construction of the last three floors of the bell tower, which was finished in 1359. The original art pieces were taken between 1965 and 1967 and are now on show at the Museo dell Opera del Duomo, located behind the Cathedral. All of the artworks that are now on display here are reproductions of those works.
Signoria Square in Florence
The Piazza della Signoria in Florence was created by destroying many older homes and towers in the surrounding region. The most significant historical and political events that took place in Florence took place in this Piazza. Since the Middle Ages, this public area, which is situated next to the Galleria degli Uffizi, has served as the central business district of Florence. The Piazza, encircled by towering structures, one of which is the Palazzo Vecchio, served as the location for public meetings that members of the city council called during times of emergency. The area in front of Palazzo Vecchio was dubbed Piazza del Popolo in 1307. The plaza, home to several significant monuments, serves as the political epicenter of the city.
Baccio Bandinelli was responsible for designing and constructing the Fountain of Neptune, which may be seen here. Bartolomeo Ammannati sculpted the enormous figure of the pagan deity of the sea out of marble and included it in the fountain he designed and erected between 1560 and 1575. The location of the crucifixion of Girolamo Savonarola, which took place on May 23, 1498, is commemorated by a monument in front of the fountain. Savonarola was accused of inciting religious and social reform as well as of theological and pastoral malfeasance.
Giambologna, a well-known sculptor from Florence, was responsible for the creation of the equestrian monument of Medici Cosimo I, which he cast in 1594. Marble was used in the construction of the memorial, and it has three bas-reliefs made of bronze that portray significant moments from the life of the first Grand Duke of Tuscany. Giambologna created the enormous bronze equestrian statue for Cosimo in 1595. It depicts Cosimo’s crowning and his triumph over Siena in great detail.
In addition, a bronze statue of Perseus by Cellini was produced in 1545 and can be found in this plaza. The figure, which shows Perseus victorious while clutching Medusa’s head, is considered his most significant piece of art. Next to it is Giambologna’s very final piece, which he finished in 1583 and titled “The Rape of the Sabine Women.” Holofernes, sculpted by Donatello, was also the first statue in the public plaza.
A replica of Michelangelo’s David statue stands in front of Florence’s entrance to the Palazzo Vecchio. Hercules and Cacus by Bandellonelli is a neighboring statue that is also quite impressive.
Santa Croce Basilica is located in Florence.
Basilica Santa Croce (Basilica of the Holy Cross) is the most incredible Franciscan church in Florence, Italy. It is most recognized for its Florentine artwork and tombs, including those of Michelangelo, Galileo, and Machiavelli. It is located in Piazza Santa Croce, which is located east of the Duomo in Florence. The construction of the current Santa Croce church began in 1294 and was not finished until the 1450s. The church is situated in the most visited neighborhood of Florence. According to local legend, St. Francis himself was the one who built Santa Croce.
A neo-Gothic front, installed in the 19th century, has since been installed in place of the church’s original, more straightforward facade. The inside of the church is relatively spacious, and it has a nave in addition to stained glass windows designed by Agnolo Gaddi. Even though the flood of 1966 caused some of the frescoes to be ruined, there are still some excellent pieces.
Santa Croce is a massive place of worship. The most prominent aspects of this structure are its 16 chapels, the majority of which include frescoes painted by Giotto and his students, and its funeral monuments.
Benedetto da Maiano, the creator of the pulpit and doors in the Cappella dei Pazzi, is one of the artists whose works can be seen in the church. Other artists whose work can be found there include: Luca della Robbia, the illustrious sculptor who decorated the Cappella Pazzi Dei, Andrea della Robbia, who created the superb Altar in the Cappella Medici, Antonio Canova, who made the monumental Vittorio Alfieri; the painter Cimabue, who created the Crucifixion, a painting badly damaged by floods in 1966 and now in the dining room; Antonio Canova, who made the monumental to Vittorio Desiderio da Settignano, the architect responsible for the construction of the Tomb of Marsuppini and the Frieza in the Cappella Pazzi Dei; Agnolo Gaddi with frescoes in the Cappella Castellani and stained glass windows; Taddeo Gadi with frescoes in the Baroncelli Chapel and the Last Supper (considered his best work) in the dining room; Donatello, the great painter, and sculptor, with the Reliquary of the Annunciation on the south wall and the Crucifix in the Cappella Bardi; Giotto, with fr
There are several burials located inside this church as well. One of these tombs is that of Lorenzo Ghiberti, and it can be found in the north aisle. The tombstone that covers his grave has an eagle carving.
The brilliant scholar Galileo Galilei, who passed away in Florence after living there for most of his adult life, is also buried in this area. The grave monuments of Michelangelo, the poet Dante, and Niccol Machiavelli may be found in the south aisle of the Cathedral.
The Magi’s Chapel may be seen in Florence.
The Chapel of the Magi (Cappella dei Magi) is a chapel at Palazzo Medici Riccardi in Florence, Italy. It has a collection of well-known paintings between 1459 and 1461 by the Renaissance maestro Benozzo Gozzoli.
Gozzoli painted frescoes on three of the walls, and the subject was the journey of the Magi to Bethlehem. However, the religious theme was merely a pretext for Gozzoli to depict the procession of influential people who arrived in Florence for the Council of Florence. Gozzoli’s work can be found in the Palazzo Vecchio (1438–1439). In this particular instance, the Medici were able to take pride in the fact that they had facilitated peace talks between the Catholic Church and the Byzantine Church.
Caspar, the youngest of the Magi, rides a white horse to the front of the procession. This figure has sometimes been misidentified as Lorenzo il Magnifico, who was a kid when the fresco was finished being painted. His father, Piero il Gottoso, and his successor, Cosimo il Vecchio, are following right after him. Following that are Sigismondo Malatesta Pandolfo and Galeazzo Maria Sforza, lords of Rimini and Milan, respectively; none of them participated in the Council, but they were guests of the Medici family when the painting was created. Thus they are shown in it. After these people comes a series of prominent Florentines, including Benozzo himself, the humanist Marsilio Ficino, the Pulci brothers, members of the art guilds, and so on.
On the south wall is a carving depicting Balthasar, the magus in the center. He had the same facial characteristics as the Byzantine Emperor Giovanni VIII Paleologo, who ruled around the same period. On the western wall stands Melchior, the most senior of the three magi. The beautiful mosaics on the floor and the gilded ceiling complement the vibrant colors and intricate details of the paintings painted on the walls.
The installation of a new staircase in the 17th century necessitated the destruction of several murals to create room for the stairway.
Medici Chapels in Florence
The Medici Chapels are two buildings found within the San Lorenzo Basilica in Florence, Italy. They dated back to the 16th and 17th centuries and were constructed as an extension of Brunelleschi’s church from the 15th century to honor the Medici family, who were the patrons of the church.
Ferdinand I of Medici commissioned Matteo Nigetti to create the design for the Cappella dei Principi, which he then erected. The primary structure devoted to the Medici family, known as the Cappella dei Principi, is extravagant in its scale and decoration, which is proof of the Medici family’s megalomania. The marble fittings that were inlaid with semiprecious stones were crafted by a workshop called Opificio Delle Pietre Dure, which was contracted for the job. Travelers from the 18th disapproved of the outcome through the 19th century. Six of the sarcophagi are vacant, and the members of the Medici family are still interred in the crypt below.
The New Sacristy, also known as the Sagrestia Nuova, is relatively small in comparison to the Chapel of the Princes, but it is adorned with sculptures created by Michelangelo. Cardinal Giulio de Medici and Pope Leo X, Cardinal Giulio’s cousin, commissioned the construction of the Sagrestia Nuova to serve as a funerary mausoleum for members of the Medici dynasty. In this location, you can take in some of Michelangelo’s most exquisite funeral monuments and sculptures. The tomb of Lorenzo, Duke of Urbino, is adorned with the well-known sculptures of Aurora and Twilight. It is generally agreed that the statues of Day and Night that stand opposite each other on the tomb of Giuliano, Duke of Nemours, are among Michelangelo’s most beautiful masterpieces. One artist is responsible for both the stunning statue of the Madonna and Child and the chandeliers that can be seen above the altars.
There were four graves planned out for the Medici family in the beginning, but construction on the tombs of Lorenzo the Magnificent and his brother Giuliano never started. The two graves still in existence belonged to members of the Medici family who were not very influential; their names were Lorenzo di Piero, Duke of Urbino, and Giuliano di Lorenzo, Duke of Nemours.
The Fortification of the Belvedere in Florence
Forte di Belvedere or Fortezza di Santa Maria in San Giorgio del Belvedere (commonly called Belvedere) is a fortress in Florence, Italy. To provide the city with defense, Grand Duke Ferdinando I of Medici ordered its construction between the years 1590 and 1595, based on a plan created by Bernardo Buontalenti.
The fort, which is located in the Oltrarno district of the city and on the same side of the river as the Pitti Palace and the Ducal Palace, provides visitors with a breathtaking panorama of Florence. The structures within the fort are used to house works of art and serve as a venue for sculpture exhibitions.
The fort served multiple purposes, the most important of which was to protect the Pitti Palace, which was Florence’s seat of government; to protect the southern end of Florence and the Oltrarno district; to demonstrate the Medici family’s power by housing the family treasury; and, finally, to serve as a haven for the Grand Duke of Florence came under attack. The Vasari Corridor ran down the middle of the Ponte Vecchio and connected the fort to the Palazzo Vecchio on the other side.
Buontalenti used modern strategies of defense and fortification during the construction of the fort. For a long time, it was believed that the site of the fort was of strategic significance. In addition to its function as a defensive structure, the Belvedere was designed to serve as a symbol of distinction for the Medici dynasty. After being constructed, the fort was used as a military garrison for more than a century.
Uffizi Galleries in Florence
There is a museum in Florence, Italy, known as the Uffizi Gallery. It is one of the world’s oldest and most renowned art museums and is located in the Western hemisphere.
Giorgio Vasari began constructing the palace in 1560 for Cosimo I de Medici as offices for the Florentine magistrates; hence, the court was given the name Uffizi, which is Italian for “offices.” Alfonso Parigi and Bernardo Buontalenti picked up where Vasari left off with the construction, and they completed it in 1581. The inner courtyard gives the appearance of a street because of its length and its narrowness; it looks out over the Arno river.
Under the same roof, the administrative offices, the Court, and the State Archives were all located at Palazzo degli Uffizi. Paintings and sculptures commissioned by or acquired by the Medici family may be shown in exhibition rooms established in many different areas of the palace during its history.
Anna Maria Luisa, the last heiress of the House of Medici, was responsible for negotiating the famous Patto di Famiglia, which resulted in the collection becoming one of the first modern art museums. As a result of this agreement, the art treasures were able to remain in Florence after the House of Medici was extinguished. Since the 16th century, people have been able to come to the Gallery if they made an appointment, but it wasn’t until 1765 that it was formally opened to the general public.
As a result of the vast number of exhibits, some of the pieces from the Bargello were moved to other museums in Florence. These included some of the most well-known sculptures from the museum.
In 1993, a bomb went off in the Via dei Georgofili, causing damage to several sections of the palace. The Niobe chamber seems to have sustained the most extensive damage. This area was significant because it displayed pieces of art that persons with disabilities had created.
The Uffizi Gallery is now considered one of the most popular sites in all of Florence. During the high season, particularly in July, there may be up to five hours of wait periods. When guests arrive, the waiting lines are much shorter for those who purchased their tickets in advance. Tickets may also be bought at a ticket counter at Orsanmichele, which serves multiple museums but sees less foot traffic than the other counters.
At the beginning of August 2007, Florence was struck by a significant storm, which caused the Gallery to become partially submerged and necessitated the evacuation of visitors.
Sources: wikipedia.org
