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)...

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...

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...

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...

Though the palace now regularly hosts receptions, conventions, fashion shows, concerts and more, it’s open for informal public visits. The Corsini’s acquired the palace from the Medici family in 1640, then began exterior work that was completed in 1735. If you’re fortunate enough to show up while it’s unlocked, check out the spiral staircase, dubbed the “snail” (lumaca).

Designed by Michelozzo di Bartolomeo in 1444 and completed in 1460, this imposing three story palace was commissioned by Cosimo de’ Medici, at the time head of the Medici banking family. Design aspects and masonry flourishes, which transform from aggressive (ground floor) to elegant (top floor), were later used in other Florentine buildings, namely the Medici’s Palazzo Pitti, as well...

Commissioned by banker Luca Pitti in 1457, by the time it was done the family fortunes had dwindled and they were forced to sell the palace to the Medicis in 1549. After the Medicis, the palace served as a residence for city rulers, the dukes of Lorraine and even Napoleon. When Florence was named the capital of the Kingdom of...

The Palazzo and its 94 meter tall tower lord over Piazza della Signoria. It was designed by Arnolfo di Cambio between 1298 and 1314 and played home to the randomly selected guild members, chosen every two months, to serve as consuls (priori). Cosimo I made it the center of government and his residence in 1540. Though he moved out in...

In many respects this is the emblematic center of the city. It’s a crowded place by day with visitors gawking at the architecture and copies of Renaissance sculptures, most notably Michelangelo’s David (the original was moved to the Galleria dell’Accademia in 1873), and locals striding through, sometimes stopping at the surrounding, historic bars and cafes. The imposing Palazzo Vecchio sits...

Spanning the Arno River at its narrowest point, the “old bridge” is as storied as it is picturesque (and overrun with crowds). First documented in the late 10th century, the bridge was destroyed by flooding in 1177, 1333 and narrowly avoided being swept away during the flood of 1966. The current structure dates from 1345. Ponte Vecchio was the sole...

Founded in 1421, this was Europe’s first orphanage. The portico was designed by Brunelleschi, featuring 10 terracotta medallions of babies done in 1487 by Andrea della Robbia. Another two medallions, one on either end of the portico, we added in 1845 Head to the north end of the portico to see the what was once the revolving door where people...