Florence Tuscany Italy - What to Do in Florence Tuscany in Italy

Route 1: Discovering Florence - The City of Culture

Begin your walking tour of this magnificent city from the church of Santa Maria Novella located in the homonymous square near the train station. Built between the 13th and 14th century by Fra Jacopo Talenti, who also designed the bell tower, the Santa Maria Novella is a superb example of Italian Gothic art including works of leading artists of the Italian Renaissance such as Leon Battista Alberti, Masaccio and Brunelleschi.

From the church of Santa Maria Novella, walk along Via Cerratani toward Piazza del Duomo. The Cathedral, or Duomo, is dedicated to Santa Maria del Fiore and was designed in charming Gothic architecture by Arnolfo di Cambio (1245-1302), one of the greatest architects and sculptors of his time. Completed around 1367, the Duomo was covered with coloured marble like the earlier Baptistery that sits opposite it, although the Duomo’s facade dates from the 19th century. Many of the sculptures originally located in the Duomo are now kept in the Museum of the ‘Opera del Duomo.’ Still in their original places are the lunettes by Luca della Robbia above the doors of the Sacristy, the bronze door of the Mass Sacristy, and the great Pietà by Michelangelo. The splendid stained glass windows are not to be missed – created between 1434-1445 from the designs of artists such as Donatello, Andrea del Castagno and Paolo Uccello. Also notable are the wooden inlays of the Sacristy cupboards by Brunelleschi and Antonio Del Pollaiolo.

Campanile di Giotto, or Giotto’s bell tower located by the huge dome of the Cathedral, is one of the most striking features of the city. Giotto only designed the lowest part of the tower, while the rest was completed after his death in 1337 under Andrea Pisano and then Francesco Talenti. Widely regarded as a masterpiece of sculpture worldwide, the Campanile di Giotto is one of the emblems of the Renaissance and a symbol of Florence.

From Piazza del Duomo follow Via dei Calzaioli south of the Cathedral all the way to Piazza della Signoria. This is Florence’s most famous square in the center of the medieval part of the city and the heart of the city’s social scene. Here too lays the seat of the civil power, with the Palazzo Vecchio a few dozen meters from the Ponte Vecchio and the Arno. The sculpture of ‘David’ by Michelangelo (1501-1504), where David portrays the biblical hero as he is about to face Goliath, is considered the ideal image of male beauty in art and is widely regarded as a masterpiece of art worldwide. The original sculpture is now preserved in the Accademia Gallery in Florence.

Palazzo Vecchio, or ‘Old Palace,’ is the most important civil building in Florence. Initially it was the seat of the Priors of Art and temporarily it housed the Grand Ducal family under Cosimo I de’ Medici before their transfer to Palazzo Pitti, while between 1550-65 Vasari sumptuously redecorated the newly reconstructed interiors as the seat of government and the official residence of the ruling family. The entire palace is a museum, especially the so-called Monumental Quarters. It is worth seeing the Salone dei Cinquecento, the study of Francesco I de’ Medici, the room of the Elements, and the Hall of the Lilies. The Loggia dei Lanzi overlooks and decorates Piazza della Signoria in front of the palace with its many valuable statues.

Next is the Uffizi Museum – one of the greatest museums in the world. The Uffizi (Italian for ‘offices’) were intended to house the offices of the famous Medici family. Today the Uffizi contain masterpieces by Italian and foreign artists from the 13th to the 18th centuries, such as Cimabue, Giotto, Masaccio, Beato Angelico, Leonardo da Vinci, Botticelli, Michelangelo, Piero della Francesca, Raphael, Caravaggio, along with Rubens, Rembrandt, Dürer, Goya and many others. Most notably, the Uffizi Museum includes the famous paintings ‘The Birth of Venus’ by Botticelli, and ‘The Holy Family’ by Michelangelo.

The Vasari Corridor (Corridoio Vasariano) that connects the Uffizi Gallery with the Pitti Palace hosts a rich collection of self-portraits by past and present artists. Commissioned by the Medici and built by Vasari in 1565, it stretches above Ponte Vecchio and allowed the Medici to walk from Palazzo Vecchio to Palazzo Pitti without having to go through the streets of Florence.

Be sure to catch an evening stroll on the Ponte Vecchio, or ‘Old Bridge,’ which was originally the only way to cross the river Arno. Dating back to 1345, this bridge miraculously endured during WWII when German troops destroyed all the bridges of Florence with the exception of Ponte Vecchio. It also survived the ‘flood of Florence’ on November 4th, 1966.

Just across the river Arno is Palazzo Pitti. Founded by Luca Pitti and built in the middle of the 400s by Luca Fancelli, Pitti wanted his magnificent palace to show his power to the Medici Family. In 1549, when the Pitti Family fell into misfortune, Cosimo I de’ Medici bought the palace and Palazzo Pitti became the Medici family’s residence. Today Palazzo Pitti houses many important Florentine museums, such as the Palatina Gallery (with Raffaello, Andrea del Sarto, Caravaggio, Bronzino masterpieces and more), the Silver Museum, the Modern Art Gallery and the Costumes Gallery.

Palazzo Pitti is also famous for the Boboli Garden. The gardens were not well known until the palace became the property of the Medici family, who called in Niccolo Pericoli (known as Tribolo) to design a masterpiece of landscape architecture between 1550 and 1558. The gardens occupy Boboli hill and include an Amphitheatre, a unique setting for theatrical performances, the cypress alley known as the the ‘Viottolone’ and the pool of the Isolotto. Boboli Garden has been an inspiration for all the royal gardens in Europe, including Versailles.

Route 2: Central Tuscany
Chianti ~ San Gimignano ~ Monteriggioni ~ Siena

Chianti

Few areas like Chianti offer a landscape so rich and evocative: green hills decorated by miles and miles of vineyards and olive groves, villages squeezed between large medieval walls, and endless winding roads. The production of famous Chianti Classico wine stretches over the striking landscapes between Florence and Siena, including all of the municipalities of Greve, Panzano, Gaiole, Radda, and Castellina. Every area around these hills is covered with vineyards, olive groves, curving roads, and charming villages and towns; it is from here that the famous red wine is exported throughout the world.

In addition to its wines, the region is known for its wild boar, quail, pigeon, wild mushrooms, and most famous are its cold meats like Chianina beef and Cinta Senese pork. The countryside can also be characterized by its olive groves and the highly acclaimed olive oil that it produces. Among the popular events of the region is the Palio horse race of Siena, perhaps the most well-known, although numerous smaller scale festivals, markets and concerts are organized in the castles and should not be missed! Chianti is an unspoilt land with a patchwork of meadows and fields where the famous blue-violet Iris grows wild: this is the flower-symbol of Florence that has been used in perfumes for centuries!

Start your journey from Greve in Chianti, which is considered the gateway to the Chianti. Since medieval times, this lively town is famous for its unique square and has been the central market town for the villages and farms of the surrounding hills. The square is actually almost triangular in shape and is surrounded on three sides by wide porches, offering shelter from the rain. Be sure not to miss Santa Croce, which houses some precious works of sacred art, including a triptych with the Madonna and Saints Bicci di Lorenzo. Greve also offers an opportunity to taste traditional Chianti products. In fact, under the arcades of the main square there are many craft shops, wine bars and restaurants, each offering only traditional Chianti products. Also of interest just a few steps from the square is an interesting Wine Museum. Finally, if you are a wine lover a stop at the Vicchiomaggio Castle just three kilometers (~two miles) from Greve is definitely worthwhile! With its 130 acres of parkland, it produces a very good Chianti Classico Gallo Nero, and offers tastings for all palates.

Continuing toward Siena is Castellina in Chianti, whose ancient origins can be seen by the Etruscan tombs of Montecalvario. Its favorable location at the crossroads of four zones in Chianti made this city an important strategic and military location between Florence and Siena. As testimony of its function there is an imposing fortress dominating the central square and the picturesque walkways of Via delle Volte, which offers breath-taking views. Walking through the city you can admire beautiful mansions that belong to important families of Siena and Florence, while definitely worth a visit is the Archaeological Museum of the Sienese Chianti, which traces the early history of this area and of the Etruscan Montecalvario.

San Gimignano

At Chianti’s western border is the charming town of San Gimignano. A UNESCO World Heritage site, San Gimignano is fascinating because of its medieval look and its utterly unique high towers. Built on a hill dominating the Val d’Elsa, San Gimignano preserves the charm and atmosphere of an isolated center. First Etruscan then medieval, its appeal also derives from its past as a vibrant center of artistic excellence, exemplified by the many works of art from artists such as Pinturicchio, Bozzoli, Fiorentino, and Mainardi, found in the museums and as adornments in churches.

There are many artistic highlights to see in San Gimignano: the Cathedral, Palazzo Comunale, the Museum of Sacred Art, the Archaeological Museum, the Apothecary of St Fina, and the Church of St Agostino. Also worth a visit is the Ornithological Museum, the Stronghold of Montestaffoli, the Church of St Bartolo, the Church of St Lorenzo in Ponte, and the remains of the Church of St Francesco. Interesting local events include the Messi Fair, the Giostra dei Bastoni and the Film Festival.

Monteriggioni

A quick – and highly recommended – stop along the way to Siena is the charming town of Monteriggioni. This small town is enclosed within ancient medieval walls and characterized by its 15 towers. Visit the center square and take a walk along the massive walls – once you have admired the incredible views of the Tuscan countryside you’ll understand why it’s worth the stop.

Siena

Siena is unique thanks to its maze of narrow streets, its numerous towers and elegant town houses, the immense central square of Piazza del Campo and the Cathedral which dominates the heart of this Medieval city, all encircled by impressive fortified walls. Piazza del Campo is renowned worldwide for its beauty and architectural integrity because of its especially unique shell shape.

Siena is most renowned for its tradition of the Palio di Siena (Siena horse race) that takes place here twice a year on July 2nd and August 16th. Contested by the 17 ‘contrade,’ which are similar to small ‘regions’ that divide this small city, the race consists of three laps around the track that surrounds the square, paved with slabs of stone and covered with a layer of dirt of suitable thickness to allow the horses to run, not without blatant slips on the curves of course! The winning ‘contrade’ enjoys a celebratory party in their ‘region’ of the city with lots of food, wine and music.

Those living in Siena enjoy an incredibly high quality of life. It is the first city in Italy to close its center off to traffic and as far as culture is concerned, Siena has been a city of great artistic significance since ancient times with internationally acclaimed institutions such as the Chigiana Musical Academy, the Accademia dei Fisiocritici and Accademia degli Intronati, as well as the University for Foreigners.

There are also numerous sites not to be missed while in Siena: the Dome of Siena, the Church of St Domenico, the Church of St Francesco, the Diocesan Museum of Sacred Art, and Palazzo Salimbeni, which houses important frescoes. The surrounding countryside is superbly peaceful with vineyards, olive groves, medieval hamlets and castles. Finally, the gastronomic traditions of Siena have gained international fame with the sweet treats of Panpepato, Ricciarelli and Cavallucci being exported throughout the world.

Route 3: Central Tuscany
Val D’Orcia ~ Pienza ~ Montepulciano ~ Chianciano Terme ~ Bagno Vignoni

Val D’Orcia

Val D’Orcia, or Valdorcia, is a renowned area in Tuscany for its stunning landscapes and excellent wine. Gentle hills spotted by dark cypresses and yellow sunflowers make this region the perfect postcard to send back to your friends. Valdorcia offers plenty of cities and villages that deserve a visit, from Montepulciano, Montalcino, Pienza, San Quirico D’Orcia to the small towns of Bagno Vignone, Buonconvento, and Radicofani. Many wineries and farms in this area produce red wine and offer wine tastings. Wine tradition is strongly related to this area and the Brunello di Montalcino is one of the most appreciated Italian wines worldwide alongside Chianti.

Pienza

A town and commune in the province of Siena between the towns of Montepulciano and Montalcino in the Val d’Orcia, Pienza is the ‘touchstone of Renaissance urbanism.’ In 1996, UNESCO declared Pienza a World Heritage Site and in 2004 the entire valley of Val d’Orcia was included on the list of UNESCO’s World Cultural Landscapes.

Pienza is known for its historical ties with Enea Silvio Piccolomini, who became Pope Pio II in 1458 and transformed Pienza from a small Medieval village into an elegant Papal residence with architecture typical of the Renaissance period. If even for a short visit, be sure to include a walk along the town walls and an exploration of the historic center with its perfectly preserved Renaissance buildings, such as Palazzo del Tesoriere, Palazzo Lolli, the Cathedral of the Assunta, Palazzo Piccolomini, Palazzo Borgia and Joffroy, Palazzo Comunale, Palazzo Ammanati, and the Parish Church of Corsignano. Local delicacies include the tasty Cacio pecorino cheese that can be tasted and bought in almost all of the shops in town.

Montepulciano

Fourteen kilometers (~seven miles) east of Pienza is Montepulciano, one of the most beautiful medieval towns of Tuscany; resting at 600 meters above sea level it is still protected still by its impre