We return to the Central Station to reach our next destination, Florence. The train takes just over two hours to reach the capital of Tuscany.
Florence is synonymous with art, the birthplace of the Renaissance and still retains the charm and splendour of the past. In the capital of the great patrons of the arts, the city of the Medici, there is so much to visit that it is difficult to decide.
Street art
The train leaves us at Santa Maria della Novella Station opposite the basilica of the same name. Trains in Italy run very well and it is very convenient to get around.
From the station we walk to the Piazza del Duomo where the gothic Cathedral of Santa Maria dei Fiore is located. Built in the 13th century, we owe its impressive forty-five-metre octagonal dome (the largest of its kind in the world) to the great master Filippo Brunelleschi, which rests on an octagonal base pierced by eight oculi and crowned by a lantern.
Cathedral of Santa Maria dei Fiore
Cathedral of Santa Maria dei Fiore
If you want to go up to the dome you don't have to enter the Cathedral, you have an access on the north façade. To avoid queues, don't forget to book your ticket in advance.
Cathedral of Santa Maria dei Fiore
Dome inside
The façade is made of white and green marble. The Campanile, built by the master Giotto with the same materials as the Cathedral, stands out. It is a beauty. Not to be missed.
We go inside, if you only visit the Basilica it is free, but remember to dress decently and not to show shoulders or knees, so remember to take a scarf and a jacket.
Campanile
Moving on to Piazza del Duomo, here you will also find another gem, the Battisterio di San Giovani. It is considered the oldest building in Florence.
Battisterio di San Giovani
Of the three entrance doors, the famous Gates of Paradise by the master Lorenzo Ghiberti, with its ten bronze panels with bas-reliefs depicting scenes from the Old Testament stand out, although they are not the originals which are in the Cathedral Museum.
Gates of Paradise
Gates of Paradise
We continue to the Piazza della Signoria, where the Palazzo Vecchio, the Loggia dei Lanzi, the Fountain of Neptune and the equestrian statue of Cosimo I stand out.
Palazzo Vecchio
The Palazzo Vecchio is one of the most famous symbols of the city. It was built in the shape of a castle and has a tower almost 100 metres high. It was originally used as a residence and workplace for the officials of the republic. The Medici built hidden passages to escape from their enemies or to store valuable objects.
Palazzo Vecchio
Of particular note are the figures of Adam and Eve and the reproduction of Michelangelo's David.
Reproduction of Michelangelo's David
Nowadays there are several options to visit it, only towers and battlements, museum and site or the complete entrance.
The Loggia dei Lanzi or Loggia della Signiora is a small open-air museum where you can enjoy works such as the Rape of the Sabine Women or Perseus with the Head of Medusa.
Perseus with the Head of Medusa
Next to Palazzo Vecchio, the most visited place in Florence, the Uffizi Gallery. It houses one of the oldest and most famous art collections in the world, with works by the great masters such as Boticelli, Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo and Tiziano. The Birth of Venus, the Adoration of the Magi or the Virgin of the Goldfinch among others. Don't forget to book your ticket at a reserved time to avoid queues. Don't miss it.
Florence
Michelangelo
We continue to the Arno River to visit the famous Ponte Vecchio. This bridge, considered the oldest stone bridge in Europe, is another symbol of the city. Its hanging and colourful houses initially housed butchers, fishmongers and tanners but nowadays they have been occupied by jewellers and goldsmiths.
Ponte Vecchio
Ponte Vecchio
Among other curiosities, the architect Giorgio Vasari was commissioned to build a corridor of almost a kilometre over the houses to connect the Palazzo Vecchio with the Palazzo Pitti, residence of the Medici, known as the Vasari Corridor.
This marvellous place is well worth a visit.
We make a stop at the Carraia ice cream parlour, one of the best in the city, artisanal and high quality. The Italian ice creams are spectacular.
We continue to the Palazzo Pitti and the Boboli Gardens behind the Palazzo. It is the city's most famous park and one of its green lungs.
Palazzo Pitti
The Palazzo Pitti was originally the residence of Florentine merchant Luca Pitti and now houses great collections of art, costumes and porcelain. A museum composed of several museums. Its sober and harmonious façade, in which stone plays a fundamental role, stands out.
Florence
If there is one essential visit in Florence, it is the Accademia Gallery, where you will be struck dumb by the perfection of Michelangelo's impressive David. Considered his masterpiece, carved in white marble and more than five metres high, it represents David before facing Goliath. A must-see.
Michelangelo's David
The Accademia Gallery is located in the rooms of the former Hospital of San Matteo and the Monastery of San Nicola di Cafaggio. Alongside David there are other sculptures such as the Pieta and Saint Matthew, Florentine paintings from the 13th to the 19th century and even a collection of antique musical instruments.
Walking through the streets of Florence is a luxury, take advantage of the proximity of the most important points and enjoy the art and the atmosphere in its streets. Everywhere you can find painters, musicians and dancers.
Art
In the evening we take the train back to Milan.
Accommodation: Affittacamere Andronacco 20€/pax.
Combined ticket Santa Maria del Fiore Cathedral, dome, baptistery, campanile, crypt and museum: 18€/pax.
Uffizi Gallery ticket: 25€/pax.
Galleria dell'Accademia ticket: 15€/pax.
Two scoops of ice cream: 5€.
Ticket Boboli Garden: 18€/pax.
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