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...

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...

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.

The Medicean Chapels (Cappelle Medicee) contain the remains of nearly 50 members of the the powerful Florentine family, as well as the amazingly opulent decorations they commissioned for themselves. Incredible artistic works, done in granite, marble, precious metals and semiprecious stones fill the mausoleum. The primary allure here are the tombs, designed by Michelangelo. These are located on the upper...

In addition to the immense stash of Medici-collected items, this excellent museum has an Egyptian collection, Etruscan art and the museum’s famous bronze Greek statue, the Idolino. Also noteworthy is the François Vase, dating from the 6th century BC, believed to be done by the Greek artist Kleitias.

This is either the site where Dante Alighieri’s family home once stood or near the site where the house once stood. What’s not in debate is that this structure was built in 1910 and contains items that will likely only thrill true Dante fans. Displays include a few editions of the “Divine Comedy,” arguably one of the greatest works of...

Also known as the Bargello Palace or Palazzo del Popolo (Palace of the People), this art museum has also served as a barracks and prison. It’s the oldest public building in Florence, dating from 1256. The first floor Capella del Podesta (chapel) was where last rites were given to criminals before their execution during the 13th through 15th centuries. Home...

The reason that the ground floor of the Duomo looks so spare is because much of its treasures have been moved here. There are also items here taken from the Baptistry and the campanile (bell tower). The museum won’t make your jaw go slack like the Duomo, but this relatively uncrowded place has a stockpile of treasure that most museums...

Housed in the refectory off the first cloister (designed by Brunelleschi) of the Basilica di Santa Croce, the museum was hit hard by the flood of the Arno River in 1966, when water height reached four meters (over 13 feet). Painstakingly restored items include a Crucifixion by Cimabue, the bronze statue St Louis of Toulouse (1424) by Donatello and a...

Fra Angelico, considered to be one of the earliest Renaissance painters, decorated this monastery during his stay (1436–1445). Nearly all the work was painted by the friar or done by people under his supervision. Among the incredible and groundbreaking paintings are the Altarpiece of San Marco, his massive Crucifixion (Crocifissione) in the Chapterhouse and his Annuciazione at the top of...

An exceptional museum of science with a focus on mathematics and astronomy. The collection of historical implements was started by Cosimo I in the 16th century, with additional pieces accumulated by his descendents and, later, members of the Lorraine dynasty. The displays include globes, telescopes, microscopes, barometers, thermometers, time pieces, compasses, sundials, and, oddly, a tooth and two fingers from...

For serious shoe enthusiasts, this museum, in the basement of the Ferragamo Boutique, displays the designer’s classic shoes, some worn by the likes of Marilyn Monroe, Greta Garbo and Katherine Hepburn. Profits from the museum fund scholarships for aspiring shoe designers.

In business since 1612, this combination perfumery/pharmacy still sells remedies, dietary supplements, smelling salts and digestive aids, based on concoctions developed by the monastery’s Dominican friars since 1221. A variety of potions purport to cure ailments such as hysterics and joint pain, as well as assisting in weight loss. A free museum goes into the history of perfumery/pharmacy.

This literally named attraction on the corner of Borgo degli Pazzi and Via del Proconsolo was started in 1593 and, obviously, never completed. Bernardo Buontalenti and crew finished the first floor and courtyard, with the upper floors left unfinished. Today it houses the Museo Nazionale di Antropologia e Etnologia (National Museum of Mankind), a collection of ancient archeological findings from...

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...

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...

Declaring that something is ‘the greatest’ of anything is often a subjective designation. Not this time. The Uffizi Gallery is hands-down the greatest collection of Italian and Florentine art in the world. There’s no overstating the wealth of of this collection: some 1555 pieces occupying 50 rooms, which has grown so massive and rich that even the most minor pieces...