Housed in a former Leopoldine convent, the museum recounts the history of photography from the early 19th century to today. The temporary space hosts numerous, rotating exhibits, while the permanent space covers history, technique and vintage equipment, with displays by leading photographers.

This abbey was founded as a Benedictine institution in 978 by Willa, the mother of Margrave Ugo of Tuscany. It’s best known as being the parish church of Beatrice Portinari, the love of Dante’s life. The church’s main attraction is the 1480 oil painting Apparition of the Virgin to St. Bernard, by Renaissance painter Filippino Lippi. As you enter the...

Facing the Duomo, the octagonal, green and white Baptistry is most famous for the gilded bronze bas-reliefs adorning its eastern doors, designed by Lorenzo Ghiberti in 1401 and completed 20 years later. The panels on the Baptistry are duplicates. The original panels are now housed safely in the Museo dell’Opera del Duomo. The moniker “Porta del Paradiso” (Gate of Paradise)...

All the principle members of the legendary Medici family are buried here – some 50 of them in all. Donatello, who died part way through his work on the dual bronze pulpits, is also buried here. The unfinished exterior is an aborted Michelangelo project to be done in Carrara marble in 1518. Though Michelangelo did complete the internal facade, viewed...

A long walk from the center, to be sure, but rewarding. Occupying one of the highest points in Florence, uphill from the panoramic views on Piazzale Michelangelo, construction of this church began in 1013. The neighboring monastery, formerly a Benedictine community, was given over to the Olivetans in 1373, who still run it. The marble façade, begun around 1090, has...

The tombs of Michelangelo, Galileo Galilei, and Dante (tomb only, his remains are in Ravenna) are among the names you’ll recognize in this jaw-slackening church, designed by Arnolfo di Cambio starting in 1294, though work of the initial church continued through 1385. The church’s marble front facade was was added in the 19th century. This is the largest Franciscan church...

This 13th century church was ravaged by fire in the 18th century. Miraculously, the frescoes by Masaccio, Masolino da Panicale and Filippino Lippi in the Cappella Brancacci survived. The frescoes, started by Masolino in 1425, and later taken over by his pupil, Masaccio, are now considered to be among the first masterworks of the Italian Renaissance, breaking from the Gothic...

Mostly completed in 1360, work on the church’s interior and exterior ornamentation picked along until the 15th century. The upper section of the front marble facade as well as the doorway were designed by Leon Battista Alberti (completed around 1470). The interior nave is an impressive 100 meters (328 feet) long. About halfway up the north (left) aisle is Masaccio’s...

Though he did not live to see its completion, it’s believed that Filippo Brunelleschi began designs for this church as early as 1428. After his death in 1446, work continued guided by Antonio Manetti, Giovanni da Gaiole and Salvi d’Andrea. Various additions and elements were later added, including a bell tower (1503) designed by Baccio d’Agnolo. Brunelleschi’s planned facade was...

It’s worth a quick detour to see the well-preserved 11th century facade of this Romanesque church sitting in a square that once served as a cemetery for unbaptized babies. The side chapels, dating from the 15th and 16th centuries, contain faded late baroque decorations. The terracotta tabernacle at the end of the church’s north aisle was done by Giovanni della...

The interior contains frescoes by Domenico Ghirlandaio and a painted alterpiece by Lorenzo Monaco (master of Fra Angelico) in the fourth chapel on the south aisle, as well as the frescoes on the chapel’s walls.

Founded in 1250 and rebuilt in the 15th century, though this church is only a block off Piazza San Marco it gets precious few tourist visitors. Its modest offerings include frescoes by Perugino, Jacopo Pontormo and Andrea del Sarto. The current edifice was designed by Michelozzo. The church holds, count ’em, seven masses each morning, during which time idle visitors...

This church was completed during the 1250s, then almost completely rebuilt using Baroque designs around 1627. A fresco by Domenico Ghirlandaio (circa 1472) above the second alter on the right side depicts Madonna della Misericordia, protector of the Vespucci family. The young face of Amerigo Vespucci, a navigator from Florence who famously gave the American continent his name, is said...

Prior to its 14th-century transformation, this was a grain market. By order of the city government, the market was walled up and sculptors were commissioned to decorate the church with statues of the patron saints of the city’s guilds, which were places in the niches in the building’s exterior. The statues, many of which are now housed in the museum...

Santa Felicita is an 18th century remake of a 4th century church (for some time, Florence’s oldest church). Brunelleschi’s Cappella Barbadori is inside the door on the right and Jacopo Pontormo’s excellent frescoes of the Annunciation and Deposition (depicting Christ being brought down from the Cross) are here as well. Though Medici fans will want to gawk at the section...

Sharing space with Rome’s Colosseum and Pisa’s Leaning Tower, Florence’s Duomo is one of Italy’s defining sights. Construction began in 1296 and ensued for nearly 150 years, though its eye-widening neo-Gothic white, green and pink marble facade wasn’t put into place until the 19th century. Entering the cathedral itself is free and wholly worthwhile, though in truth it probably won’t...

Just northeast of the Central Train Station, Fortezza da Basso was commissioned by Duke Alessandro de’ Medici as more of a muscle flexing in front of Florentines, than for repelling invaders. It was designed by Antonio da Sangallo il Giovane and built in a swift three years (1534 to 1537). Though it sits prominently and alluringly on city maps, it’s...

In one of the longest lines you’re likely to encounter in Italy, the wait to see this art museum, and its undisputed star, Michelangelo’s David, will be equally impressive. And for good reason, David is arguably the most famous piece of artwork to come out of the Renaissance and is probably the most recognizable sculpture in the world. Begun in...

Horne, a moneyed British expat, bought this residence in the early 1900s, renovated it in Renaissance style and filled it with an impressive assortment of 14th and 15th century paintings, sculptures, opulent furniture, ceramics and other miscellanea. Much of the art is from obscure and unknown artists, though there are a few prized pieces by Filippo Lippi, Lorenzetti and Giotto.

Bathed in red/burgundy colors and quintessential lounge bar furniture, this is a great cocktail and chillout joint. The atmosphere is mainly on the young side, unpretentious and friendly, fueled by Trine, the Danish expat owner. DJs spin alternative, reggae, rock and more depending on the night. Check their Facebook page for weekly music announcements. The nightly happy hour (7pm-10pm) offers...