Florence can hardly be described in words - it must be to feel, see, breathe its air, which is imbued with the spirit of proud Rome, the spirit of the great artists, poets, architects. Although security in the city at the height of the tourists are not safe from "Stendhal syndrome" - the state of cultural shock of what he saw beauty. Some people even lose consciousness. The entire historic center of the city-museum is listed in the UNESCO list.
Throughout its long history the city has managed to visit the capital of the Duchy of Tuscany, the residence of the Medici dynasty, minted its own coins, florins. Here we lived and created by Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Dante, Rossini, Botticelli. The famous explorer Amerigo Vestpuchchi also from Florence. The city has many churches. There is little street where there was no cathedral or temple. There still remember their famous pastors - Savonarola, St. Antoninus.
Tourists there is a lot to see. And in the only remaining after the Second World War, the old bridge over the Arno, Ponte Vecchio, you can buy unique jewelry. Florence has long been considered the capital of the jewelry. Here are preserved interesting old tradition in restaurants serving pasta of different makaroshek and a large selection of side dishes.
Palazzo Pitti
Pitti Palace is almost directly adjacent to the territory of the Boboli Gardens. After its first host Pitti merchant died, the palace changed a lot of owners. Nowadays there is a museum of silver, which collected a lot of not only silver treasures. It will be interesting to look at a collection of different suits and vintage garments. The great value of the Palazzo Pitti is a unique collection of works by Titian, Caravaggio, Raphael, Botticelli, Lippi, Van Dyck and others. It's the title of the Palatine Gallery. The interior of the palace is characterized by luxury and wealth. Silk wallpaper, refined furniture and precious tapestries create a unique atmosphere.
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Market Mercato Nuovo (Porcellino Mercato)
Market Porchinello about 500 years old. Here, like many centuries ago, there is a brisk trade in trinkets, a lively and cheerful atmosphere. The market has a roof, but no walls. In the center of the piazza is a sculpture pig, which all visitors are rubbing their nose and throw a coin in the mouth for good luck. This pig is the clean and shiny nose in the world. Sometimes, to scratch his shiny heels have to stand in line. In the center of the market still stands the stone of shame - a plate on which punished dishonest traders.
Piazza della Signoria
This ancient area remembers many important events in the life of Florence. It has always been the political center of the city. In the Middle Ages there was carried out the execution of the rebellious people of power. It is here that the monk burned Savanarollu. But people come here to see the sculptures of the great masters of Ammannati, Cellini, Michelangelo, Bandinelli. Some of the sculptures are located in the Loggia dei Lanzi. They are guarded by stone lions. Some of the sculptures are replaced by copies - for example, Michelangelo's David. Right in the center - a marble fountain with a sculpture of Neptune. But the main dominant feature is the famous Palazzo Vecchio. In the area I felt the spirit of the Italian city, and not only because of the sculptures and old buildings around. Odor coming from the nearby cafes in this very helpful.
Fine Arts Academy
It is here that kept the real statue of David by Michelangelo. There are other works of his "slaves", "The Prisoner." On the territory of the Academy is another museum. It contains a unique musical instruments Stradivarius, Guarneri, Amatti. The emergence of the Academy of Fine Arts has contributed a great lover of painting Duke Cosimo I. All schools have to submit to the scenic Academy. It disciplines the study was ranked as music and restoration. gallery artists painting was created on the basis of the Academy, where students could admire. Watching, learning and gaining experience.
Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore
Cathedral has long been a symbol of Florence. Its huge brick dome seemed to hover over the city and loved the warm light illuminates. Flower St. Mary (as translated) built nearly six hundred years, since 1296. It changed a lot of architects, among whom there were such famous masters as Giotto, and Cambio. Today it is one of the biggest-largest cathedral in the world. It is noteworthy that the bell tower of the cathedral is called - Giotto's Campanile. It's about one of its monarchs once said that such beauty should be stored under cover and to get only on holidays. Giotto himself buried on the territory of the cathedral. The facade is decorated with many statues. Inside the cathedral artfully painted, here you can see the unusual clock, the hands that go in the opposite direction.
Basilica of San Lorenzo
The facade of the church catches the eye - it remained unfinished. The reason for this was a quarrel between Michelangelo and Pope Leo X Medici, who invested in the construction. It was in this church Michelangelo did one of the greatest works in his life - the Medici tomb sculpture. He decided to depart from the standard rules of placing statues in the center of the building and arranged them along the walls. Thus, having made a revolution in architecture. It is also worth seeing the work of Donatello, Verrocchio. The courtyard is rich with columns, ornate tiled patterns.
Piazzale Michelangelo
To get to the area you need to climb the hill on the street Collie in Oltrarno drive or bus №12 and №13. From Piazzale Michelangelo, which is a copy of the statue of David, offering stunning views of the city. It is clearly seen the Cathedral of Santa Maria, the bridge of Porto Vecchio, a lush river Arno. The entire city at a glance. If you do not want to go on a bus tour of the city, you can sit in the cozy restaurant and enjoy Italian dishes. Near full of the most luxurious hotels that are waiting for tourists.
The Ponte Vecchio
Ponte Vecchio bridge of living. It was chosen by the master of gold and silver, so the transition is sometimes called the golden bridge. In ancient times, there were rough trade. There is an assumption that here was born the concept of the word bankrupt - guards destroyed a table indebted merchant. In the middle there is a wonderful viewing platform - you can enjoy views of the city, the river. And the bust of Cellini made to chain locks of love. In the evening it is particularly beautiful. Lights and the bridge are reflected in the river, as if the world through the mirror. During the Second World War, all the old bridges over the Arno were blown up. Survived only the Ponte Vecchio.
The Uffizi Gallery
The original gallery building was intended for the construction of an administrative center - the "Uffizi" means offices. Long corridors will soon become a luxury gallery. To finish the gallery Medici family is not spared anything. Interior and paintings were engaged in the most talented craftsmen. The museum has a large collection of works by Botticelli, Raphael, Leonardo da Vinci, Lippi, Titian, Uccello, Giotto and others. In total, 45 gallery halls, some of which are exposed to the work of only one master. Part of the work is on the second floor of the Ponte Vecchio. The very same gallery building was designed like a horseshoe with the theater and hanging gardens.
Boboli Gardens
Boboli Gardens were created by the wife of Duke Cosimo I, and are a living museum under the open sky. Green, breathing the freshness of the park, attracts stroll through a garden maze, gravel paths. Here a large collection of sculptures created by famous masters hands. A special attraction - decorated with paintings and reliefs caves. Although Florence a bustling big city, in a park zone is quite possible to be alone with nature, enjoy the beautiful views. It should be up to the highest point of the park - from there with a fantastic view of the city, and along the way you can quench your thirst from drinking fountains.
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