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Florence Landmarks and Florence Monuments (Florence, Italy)



It is hardly surprising that Florence, one of Italy's most important cities, is crammed full of spectacular landmarks and monuments.

Famous throughout the world, many of these date back over 1,000 years and are in remarkable condition, thanks to faithful restoration and reconstruction work. Here are some of the top landmarks in Florence to visit.




Florence Landmarks: Ponte Vecchio (Old Bridge) - Florence
Built in 1345, the Ponte Vecchio is the oldest bridge in Florence and spans the River Arno. This three-arched bridge was the only one in the city to survive the bombings in World War II, and is lined with shops, mainly gold and silversmiths, making this a popular shopping area. Some of the shops have workshops at the back which literally overhang the river and are supported by large wooden rests. There is a secret passageway high above the shops, the Corrodoio Vasariano, that links the Uffizi Gallery to the Pitti Palace, that was originally built so that the wealthy Medici family could walk into town in private. It has recently been reopened to the public and is now lined with portraits of some of the city's greatest artists.

Florence Landmarks: Casa Buonarroti - Via Ghibellina 70, Florence
Tel: +39 (0) 55 241 752
The Buonarroti House was commissioned by the great-grandson of the famous Italian artist Michelangelo and is now home to a wonderful collection of art, sculptures, bronzes, frescoes and model collections. With 22 rooms open to the public, this palazzo-museum has a wealth of history.
Landmark open: daily - 09:30 to 14:00
Closed: Tuesday
Landmark admission: charge

Florence Landmarks: Campanile di Giotto - Piazza Duomo, Florence
Tel: +39 (0) 55 230 2885
Widely regarded as the finest in Italy, the Campanile di Giotto is a superb example of Italian Gothic architecture. Building started in 1334 by Giotto and after the artist's death several years later, it was finally completed in 1359 by Francesco Talenti. Standing at almost 85 metres / 275 feet high, it was built so that the town bells could be heard far and wide, to announce mass, celebrations or at times, to warn of impending danger.
Landmark open: Winter - 09:00 to 16:20, Summer - 09:00 to 18:50
Landmark admission: charge

Florence Landmarks: Fortezza da Basso - Arsenale, Viale Filippo Strozzi 1
Tel: +39 (0) 55 49721
The massive fortress is simply vast and was designed by architect Antonio da Sangallo the Young. The exterior wall is still intact and the building is of great importance in the history of military architecture. Constructed in a pentagonal style, the Fortezza was built almost 500 years ago. It soon became obsolete and started to symbolise the end of the city being attacked, which is why is has been preserved so well. Over the years it has been used as a prison, arsenal and army barracks. In 1978 a huge steel building, covered in aluminium, was built inside the wall as an international exhibition centre and now hosts many popular events, including the large, international market show of jewellers and prestigious Pitti fashion shows. There are also some attractive gardens, which have been well laid out.

Florence Landmarks: Fondazione Romano nel Cenacolo di Santo Spirito - Piazza Santo Spirito 5, Florence
Tel: +39 (0) 55 287 043
With a large archaeological collection full of interesting artifacts, which were originally donated to the monks of the old San Romano, all that survives of this monastery is the refectory (cenacolo), which is now a small museum. Highlights include a ruined, detailed fresco, showing the last supper, and a collection of 11th-century Romanesque sculpture.
Landmark open: daily - 10:30 to 13:00
Closed: Monday
Landmark admission: charge

 
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