The building of the cathedral began at the end of the 13th century in the Gothic style by Arnolfo di Cambio, and the dome was added in the 15th century.Another site of importance is the Uffizi Gallery and is the most visited in Italy. The Uffizi palace was designed and begun in 1560 by the architect Giorgio Vasari at the time when Cosimo de’ Medici, first Grand Duke of Tuscany, was bureaucratically consolidating his recent takeover of power. You can even purchase tickets for this Gallery online.These are the ‘must see’ of the Gallery:Botticelli’sPrimavera and Birth of VenusFilippino Lippi’sMadonna and Child with Two AngelsTitian’sVenus of OrbinoLots of other works, including from the early Masters Cimabue and Giotto, Early Rennaisance pioneers FraAngelico and Masaccio, andCaravaggioand Rembrant.The Bargello National Museum or Palace is another site of importance and has a remarkable collection of Renaissance sculpture and works of art. Located in the impressive Palazzo del Bargello, a fortress with powerful embattlements which surround the austere facade.The build began in 1255, and was the headquarters of the Capitano del Popolo and later of the Podestà and Council of Justice. In 1574, it became the living quarters for the Captain of Justice (chief of police) and was used as a prison. However, despite a series of alterations and additions which undoubtedly altered the original plan during the 14th and 15th centuries, the palace preserved its charming severity, best seen in the beautiful courtyard, the balcony and the large hall on the first floor.Accademia Gallery in Florence is the second most popular museum and is of great importance too. Like all the other galleries and museums they are closed on Mondays and tickets can be bought online.The ‘must see’s’ of this Gallery are:Michelangelo’sDavid and PrisonersGiambologna’sRape of the SabinesBotticelli’sMadonna and Child and Madonna of the SeaIf you enjoy visiting churches then the Santa Maria Novella and Santa Croce should be high on your list as these are veritable art galleries. Also not to be missed is the library of San Lorenzo which is a magnificent exhibition of Michelangelo’s architectural genius.If you’re like me, after the museums, churches and galleries etc., I like to wander the streets into the old parts of towns and cities that I visit as there are usually some beautiful sights to take in. Take a walk to the Ponte Vecchio, which is the oldest bridge in Florence and stretches over the Arno River. There have been stores on the Ponte Vecchio since the 13th century. Initially, there were all types of shops, including butchers and fishmongers and later tanners, whose industrial waste caused an awful pong! Well, I’m sure it’s not that bad now, is it?The Pitti Palace is where you’ll see a varied collection of art. This magnificent palace is one of Florence’s largest architectural monuments. The original palazzo was built for the Pitti family in 1457, designed by Filippo Brunelleschi and built by his pupil Luca Fancelli.Today, the Pitti Palace houses some of the most important museums in Florence: on the first floor is the Palatine Gallery, containing a broad collection 16th and 17th century paintings, and the Royal Apartments, containing furnishings from a remodeling done in the 19th century; on the ground floor and mezzanine the Silver Museum (Museo degli Argenti) displaying a magnificent collection of Medici household treasures; and the Gallery of Modern Art is on the top floor, holding a collection of mostly Tuscan 19th and 20th century paintings. In the separate Palazzina del Cavaliere on the upper part of the Boboli Gardens is the Porcelain Museum, while the Palazzina of the Meridiana contains the Costume Gallery, a showcase of the fashions of the past 300 years.This really is something not to miss and would probably take up most of the day taking in the history of this magnificent monument.However, now for something completely different…. If you enjoy gardens then a visit to Boboli Gardens at the Pitti Palace would be a great way to spend a relaxing day after all that walking around museums and galleries! There is of course much more of interest to see and this was just the tip of the iceburg.Apart from sightseeing and visiting the main museums and churches, there are obviously lots of other things to do in Florence. You could find the Tourist Information Centre in Florence where I expect they would give information on walking tours of specific areas of the city with a guide or take yourself on a shopping spree! Undoubtedly, there will be great restaurants to dine at, and make sure you try out all the gelato flavours!The main events in Florence are:* Epiphany, January 6* Carnevale in February* Florentine New Year, March 25* Scoppio del Carro (Easter Sunday)* Maggio Musicale Fiorentino – May* Calcio Storico, Florence Dance Festival – Estate Fiesolana, Sesto D’ Estate – June/July* Festa di San Lorenzo, August 10* La Festa Delle Rificolone (festival of the paper lanterns), September 7th* Nativity of Virgin Mary, September 8* Festa di Santa Reparata, October 8FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW FOR A MORE INDEPTH GUIDE TO FLORENCE:TheUltimateGuideToFlorence
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