Florence: Discovering Italy's artistic jewel

Florence, the capital of Tuscany in Italy, is one of the world's most beautiful and culturally rich cities. With a history dating back to Roman times, Florence has been home to some of the most famous artists, writers, and thinkers. Visitors to this city can enjoy a wealth of art, architecture, and history, all set against the backdrop of the stunning Tuscan landscape.

The historic city center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and here you can find some of the city's most iconic sights. The Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, also known as the Duomo of Florence, is one of the city's most recognizable landmarks. It is the fourth largest church internationally and will enchant you with its architecture. The stained glass windows are impressive, letting the light stream in and illuminating the interior with vibrant colors. The red-tiled dome, a creation of Brunelleschi, was built without scaffolding, and inside are frescoes by Vasari on the theme of Judgement Day. If you climb 463 steps, you will find that it dominates the city skyline and enjoy a panoramic view of the city and the surrounding areas.

Nearby is the Baptistery of St. John, famous for its bronze doors, including Lorenzo Ghiberti's renowned "Gates of Paradise."

These eastern doors were carved in gold over 21 years, representing scenes from the Old Testament. Today, the original doors are in the Duomo Museum, and replicas have been placed in the Baptistry. Also, the font has been preserved and is on display, and the roof, you can enjoy magnificent mosaics representing the Day of Judgement.

The nearby Campanile of Giotto, clad in white, pink, and green Tuscan marble, is also worth a visit for its stunning views of the city and its ornate sculptures. It is 85 meters high, designed by Giotto in 1334, and completed after 25 years.

The Uffizi Gallery, one of the most famous art museums in the world, is a must-stop for anyone visiting Florence. It is the first art gallery in the world. It was created in the late 16th century, with the architect Giorgio Vasari designing an innovative building for the time, using layers of glass to allow light to accentuate the interior.

The museum's most famous exhibit is Botticelli's Birth of Venus, which depicts her being pushed by the winds towards the Aegean coast. At the same time, Urbino's Venus (Titian) also stands out; the Holy Family (Michelangelo), the Annunciation (Da Vinci), the portraits of the Duke and Duchess of Urbino (Piero della Francesca), and the magnificent works of Caravaggio.

Another museum to visit in Florence is the Galleria del Académia. The Florence Academy of Fine Arts was founded in 1563 and was the first school in Europe to deliver courses in painting and sculpture. It is also home to Michelangelo's iconic sculpture, David. This stunning statue stands over 17 feet tall and is considered one of the greatest works of art ever.

Be sure to walk on the Ponte Vecchio, the famous bridge - the city's symbol. It is a medieval stone-closed single-arch bridge over the Arno River, known for having shops built along it, as was the custom when it was built. Initially, these shops were butchers and fishmongers, but today you will see shops selling jewelry, artwork, and souvenirs.

For those interested in the history of Florence, Palazzo Vecchio is a must-visit attraction. This imposing medieval palace was the seat of the city's government for centuries and now houses the city hall. Visitors can explore the palace's impressive rooms and learn about the city's history. Noteworthy are the Sala dei Gili with its golden lilies, a symbol of Florence, the room with the maps depicting the geographical skills of the explorers of the Middle Ages, and the Hall of the Five Hundred, where all the critical decisions of the city were taken during the Republican era.

Outside Palazzo Vecchio is the Piazza della Signoria. For centuries it has been the place where citizens gathered for emergencies or political discussions. In its center, you can see the Fountain of Poseidon by Amanati next to the equestrian statue of the Grand Duke of Tuscany, Cosimo I of the Medici, the Rape of the Sabine (Jambolonia), and Perseus (Cellini).

On the south side of the Arno River lies the district of Oltrarno with its picturesque narrow streets. The Palazzo Pitti, built by the family of the same name, was the home of the Medici in the 16th century, who liked the climate and the tranquillity of the area and created a large palace where the treasures of the great Florentine family are now on display. In it, you can visit the Palatine Gallery, which houses the most extensive collection of Raphael's works, the Galleria del Costume with typical Enlightenment-era clothing, and the Galleria d' Arte Moderne, which houses contemporary art creations spanning the period 1780-1920.

Behind the Palazzo Pitti, the Medici created the Boboli Gardens, now open to the public. Visitors can wander the winding paths, admire the fountains and sculptures, and enjoy the stunning views of the city. In the center of the gardens dominates the Biotolone, the avenue of cypress trees leading to the round lake with the small island, next to which and in the water stands a statue on horseback.

The best place to enjoy a panoramic view of the city of Florence and the surrounding area is Piazza Michelangelo. It is on top of a hill south of the Arno River, the Ponte alle Gracie bridge, and Via di S. Nicolo. The feeling you will get is that you are looking at a painting, with the street artists further beautifying the landscape. To avoid the fatigue of the ascent, you can take line 12 or 13 buses from Santa Maria Novella central station.

Every trip to Florence is complete with sampling the city's famous cuisine. Tuscan cuisine is known for its simplicity and use of fresh, local ingredients. Try traditional dishes such as ribollita, a hearty vegetable soup, and bistecca alla Fiorentina, a grilled T-bone steak.

Florence is a city that should be on every traveler's bucket list. Its wealth of art, history, and culture is unparalleled, while its stunning architecture and beautiful scenery make it one of the most beautiful cities in the world.

• Florence Cathedral & Baptistery: Piazza del Uomo, 50122 Firenze, 50122 Firenze, https://www.ilgrandemuseodelduomo.it/monumenti/1-cattedrale
• Uffizi Gallery (Galleria degli Uffizi): Piazzale degli Uffizi 6, 50122 Firenze, https://www.uffizi.it/ Opening hours: 08:15 - 18:50 daily, closed on Mondays
• Palazzo Pitti & Boboli Gardens (Giardino di Boboli): Piazza d' Pitti 1, 50122 Firenze, https://www.uffizi.it/palazzo-pitti
• Galleria dell' Accademia: Via Racasoli 58-60, 50122 Firenze, http://www.galleriaaccademiafirenze.beniculturali.it/ Opening hours: 08:15 - 18:20 daily, closed on Mondays
• Palazzo Vecchio: Piazza della Sinioria, 50122 Firenze, http://museicivicifiorentini.comune.fi.it/palazzovecchio Opening hours: 09:00 - 19:00 daily