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Florence |
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Florence
is famous as the birthplace of Renaissance. From the early 15th
century onwards some of the greatest artists of all time were
at work in the city. Many of their masterpieces survive here,
and this small town is visited every year by tourists from all
over the world. The low hills surrounding Florence, dotted with
numerous beautiful old villas in picturesque lanes, are remarkably
well preserved.
Some of the most important monuments in Florence, some of them
dating from the Middle Ages while others represent the high
point of the artistic flowering of the Renaissance. The Duomo
with its famous cupola by Brunelleschi beside the ancient Baptistery
and beautiful Campanile are crowded together close to a museum
which houses works from these buildings. The spacious Piazza
della Signoria, the main square in Florence, is decorated with
numerous fine statues, and is dominated by Palazzo Vecchi, the
town hall. Nearby is the church of Orsanmichele, famous for
its sculptures on the exterior. Just out of Piazza della Signoria
is the world-famous Uffizi gallery, filled with masterpieces
from every period of Italian art constituting the most important
collection of Italian paintings in the country, left to the
city by the Medici. The very well arranged Science Museum, close
by on the Arno, has a collection of scientific instruments once
owned by the Medici grand-dukes. |
| Walk from
Bargello museum of sculpture, just behind Piazza della Signoria,
and continue east to the great Franciscan church of Santa Croce.
Head north to the Renaissance Piazza Santissima Annunziata close
to the Galleria dell’Accademia, famous for its sculptures
by Michelangelo, and the Museo di San Marco full of charming
works by Fra Angelico. Turn southwards to Palazzo Medici Riccardi,
built by the Medici family and the basilica of San Lorenzo close
by with the Medici chapels. A few steps away is Santa Maria
Novella, the most important Gothic church in Tuscany. Via Tornabuoni,
well known for centuries as one of the most frequented streets
in the town, is described with its splendid Renaissance palaces,
and at the end of the walk emerge on the Lungarni, the roads
which follow the Arno, visiting also the church of Ognisanti,
burial place of the family of the navigator Amerigo Vespucci,
after whom America is named. |
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Uffizi
Gallery (Galleria degli Uffizi), Florence
One of the great museums of the world, the Uffizi houses the
premier collection of Italian Renaissance art, featuring works
by such masters as Botticelli, Titian, Michelangelo and da Vinci.
Attraction type: Art gallery; Art museum; Museum complex |
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San
Miniato al Monte (Basilica di San Miniato al Monte), Florence
Situated on a hill (monte) outside Florence with unsurpassed
views of the city, this structure is one of the finest examples
of Tuscan Romanesque architecture, built between the 11th and
13th centuries.
Attraction type: Religious site; Historic village |
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Duomo
- Cathedral of Santa Maria dei Fiori, Florence
Designed by Arnolfo di Cambio at the end of the 13th century,
the Cathedral's trademark dome is now the symbol of Florence.
Attraction type: Religious site; Architectural building |
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Ponte
Vecchio, Florence
Erected during Roman times, this is the most ancient and photographed
bridge in Florence, which is characterized by three arches and
two wide arcades on each side housing the famous and unusual
"botteghe" or shops.
Attraction type: Bridge; Specialty shop |
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Galleria
dell'Accademia, Florence
Europe's first school of drawing, this museum of art is chiefly
famous for its several sculptures by Michelangelo, notably his
David, in addition to an extensive collection of 15th- and 16th-century
paintings.
Attraction type: Art museum; Museum |
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Museo
Nazionale del Bargello (Bargello Museum), Florence
Housed in the Palazzo del Podesta (1255 AD) as the residence
of Florence's chief magistrate, this museum houses an unrivalled
collection of Italian Renaissance sculpture.
Attraction type: Art museum; Historic site; Government building |
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Pitti
Palace (Palazzo Pitti), Florence
A complex of art museums housing some of the most celebrated
treasures in the city.
Attraction type: Architectural building; Art gallery; Historic
home; Historic site; Garden; Museum complex; Landmark/point
of interest; Art museum |
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Medici
Chapels (Cappelle Medicee), Florence
Opulently decorated in marble, gold and jewels, these chapels
are a celebration of one of Italy's most famous and powerful
families - the Medicis.
Attraction type: Religious site |
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Duomo
Museum (Museo dell'Opera del Duomo), Florence
For preservation purposes, many significant works have been
moved from the Duomo to this nearby museum.
Attraction type: Art museum |
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Palazzo
Vecchio, Florence
Florence's principal palace was begun in 1299 and built as the
seat of the Signoria, the fathers of the city's republican government.
Attraction type: Historic site; Landmark/point of interest;
Government building; Castle |
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Boboli
Gardens (Giardini Boboli), Florence
There is plenty of sun, shade, singing birds and whispering
fountains in one of Florence's largest and most beautiful gardens,
which are located behind the massive Pitti Palace.
Attraction type: Garden |
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Church
of Santa Maria Novella, Florence
Dominican monastery that serves as a distinguished monument
to the religious and artistic history of Florence, which features
valuable examples of Florentine paintings from the 14th and
15th centuries.
Attraction type: Religious site; Historic site; Landmark/point
of interest; Architectural building |
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Palazzo
Medici Riccardi, Florence
Attraction type: Historic home |
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Museum
of the History of Science (Museo di Storia della Scienza), Florence
Housed in an old palace that was restored in the mid-1800s,
this science museum houses an impressive collection of scientific
instruments dating from the 13th century.
Attraction type: Science museum; History museum |
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Baptistry
(Battistero), Florence
A beautiful building best known for its elaborately sculpted
doors by Lorenzo Ghiberti.
Attraction type: Architectural building; Historic site; Religious
site |
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Santa
Maria delle Carmine, Florence
An elegant church decorated by Masaccio's famous frescoes on
the life of St. Peter.
Attraction type: Religious site; Historic site; Landmark/point
of interest |
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Church
of San Lorenzo, Florence
Dating back to before 400 AD, this church is the oldest existing
religious structure in the city.
Attraction type: Landmark/point of interest; Historic site;
Architectural building; Religious site |
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Badia
Fiorentina, Florence
Attraction type: Historic site; Religious site; Historic home |
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San
Marco, Florence
This beautiful monastery was founded in 1437 and is famous for
housing the first library in Europe.
Attraction type: Religious site; Museum |
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| Nightlife: |
Space
Electronic, Florence
Trendy club and bar with a 70's space theme: attracts tourists
from all over the world.
Attraction type: Bar/club |
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Zoe
Via dei Renai, 13/r Phone 055 243 111.
Closed on Sunday. Located in the charming setting of Via dei
Renai, the Zoe is haunted by many Italian and foreign students
and by blue-blooded young Florentines... |
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| Universale
Firenze Via Pisana, 77r 50100 Firenze
Phone +39 055 221 122 The Universale
is the newest place in town: 1600 square meters (on three floor)
dedicated to a global concept of entertainment: happy hours,
bar, wine bar, restaurant, concert hall... The right place to
relax after a hard day of studying! Being one of the 'chicchest'
place in town remember that there is a 'Door selection' and
the 'dress code is enforced'... We suggest you to spend a night
in this bar! |
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Porfirio
Rubirosa Caffè, Disco Bar Viale
Strozzi, 18 Phone 055 490 965.Located
in front of the Fortezza da Basso is one of the 'poshest' bar
in town... Very well (too well, perhaps...) patronized by the
young bourgeoisie of the city is a very in-vogue-bar...
Prices are highs and the atmosphere is perhaps too cold... |
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Beccofino
Piazza degli Scarlatti Phone 055 290 076. Very
close to the Santa Trinita bridge this American bar has a very
original and modern design and the contrast with the ancient
building outside is pleasantly astonishing.
Their rich brunches are famous among American students. We suggest
to book in advance! |
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| Elliot
Braun Bar Via Ponte alle Mosse, 117r Tel.055 352352 -
fax 055 3246871.Open: from monday to friday 10 a.m - 4 p.m.
from monday to saturday 6 p.m.- 2 a.m. Closed: on Sunday. Aperitivo
time: 6 p.m. - 8 p.m. Situated 10 minutes' walk from the Central
Railway Station, is famous for serving one of the best 'aperitivo'
in town: pasta al ragù, pasticcio di cavolo, olive ascolane,
pesce alle erbe, crocchette, antipasti misti (and much more...)
are served for free during the Apericena time... so, obviously,
we warmly suggest you this place!! During
spring and summer time it's even possible to enjoy their nice
garden... |
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| Cocktail
Bars: |
Dolce
Vita Piazza del Carmine, 6r Phone 055
284 595. This is one of the historical meeting places of the
Florentine youth...
The interior design is trendy... But the magic of the place
comes from outside... The setting of the bar is wonderful and
during spring and summer evening it's possible to enjoy magnificent
sunsets on Piazza del Carmine...Definitely suggested! |
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| Shot
Café Via dei Pucci 5 Phone 055 282 093. Not
far from the Duomo Square this bar is mostly frequented by foreign
students... Their specialty is the 'shot'... Don't you know
what is it? You gotta try it... Their shots are famous all around
the city for being the best... But, please, don't exaggerate
(we already had bad experience ;)...) |
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| Caffé
La Torre Lungarno Cellini, 65r Phone 055 680 643.Here
are often organized live music soirée: jazz, blues, latin...
There is a big choice of drinks and light snack... This bar
is, however, very famous for the top class 'aperitivo'... In
the evening it's possible to eat for free delicious pastas,
rice, salad, paella... Don't miss it! In summer the nice patio
outside, with view on Porta San Niccolò, adds glamour
to this bar...Many florentines spend their evenings here... |
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Cabiria
Piazza Santo Spirito Phone 055 215 732.Absolutely
one of the most frequented bar in town!
Italian and foreign students crowd this place, especially in
spring and summer time...
The bar is set in the delicious atmosphere of Piazza Santo Spirito,
where it's possible to chat, drink and listen music till very
late in the night... |
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| Yag
Via de' Macci, 8r - Phone 055 246 9022.Gay
men and women, musical video and concert on maxiscreen, American
bar, Internet point, satellite Tv, Internal rooms...Located
very close to Piazza Santa Croce.. |
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| Negroni
Florence Bar Via de’ Renai 17 - Phone 055 243 647.
Named after the famous cocktail (equal
parts gin, martini rosso and campari) this bar is located in
the San Niccolò district and it's now one of the most
trendy place in town. Intimate atmosphere, soft music, eccellent
cocktails, crostini, focacce...We suggest you this place! |
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Caffè
Megara Via della Spada 11/13/15/17 - Phone 055 211 837
Open from 9am to 2pm. Very close to the
"fashion district" (Via Tornabuoni and Via della Vigna
Vecchia) this bar is very elegant and offers a big variety of
very audacious dishes, like: kangaroo's or ostrich's carpaccios...(don't
you believe us?...). The perfect bar for your shopping days. |
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| REX
Via Fiesolana 23/R - Phone 055 248 0331.One
of the "chicchest" bar in the Santa Croce district.
The Rex is a very trendy place with eccentric - but very nice
- interiors and nice music. Very good aperitivo! Don't miss
this place between 6pm and 8pm! |
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