Just behind the palace are the magnificent Boboli Gardens. This is one of the best examples of Italian Renaissance park architecture.
According to bestitude.com, Florence has a special style. There is a lot of gothic here, but gothic is special, not as gloomy as in the northern countries. One of the most famous churches in Florence is the Gothic Basilica of Santa Croce (Church of the Holy Cross) – the tomb of Michelangelo, Galileo, Machiavelli, Rossini and other great Italians.
Among many other beautiful buildings in Florence, built at different times and in different styles, the church of San Lorenzo (1520) with the Medici Chapel, where members of this noble family are buried, deserves special attention. The chapel is famous for the New Sacristy, one of the great works of Michelangelo. The sculptural groups were his last work before he left his native city forever. Particularly impressive are the figures “Day” and “Night”, “Morning” and “Evening” on the tombstones of the son and grandson of Lorenzo the Magnificent.
After passing Piazza San Lorenzo, you find yourself in front of the Medici family residence. The Palazzo Medici-Riccardi was built by Michelozzo, the favorite and court architect of Cosimo the Elder, in 1434. This Renaissance palace for many years became a role model among the Florentine aristocracy. Through the courtyard you can go to the home of the Medici Chapel, where Benozzo’s frescoes glorify this family.
In Florence, for several centuries now, holidays have been celebrated that came from the hoary Middle Ages.
On Easter Sunday on the square in front of the cathedral, they arrange the so-called “Explosion of the wagon”. This holiday dates back to the time of the first crusades, its culminating moment is the explosion of a huge wagon stuffed with firecrackers and rockets.
In January, a regatta is held on the Arno River, which crosses Florence, and in June, the so-called historical football in medieval costumes. This unusual match was first played back in 1530. That year, Florence resisted the siege of the troops of Pope Clement VII and Emperor Charles V of Spain (Michelangelo took part in the defense of the city). In order to raise the spirit of the besieged and challenge the enemy, it was decided to hold a competition between different city blocks in Piazza della Signoria. The city, however, still fell under the onslaught of enemies, but since then every year the Florentines arrange a football match in the same place.
Also in Florence you will find good shopping. Currently, this city, along with Milan and Rome, one of the main centers of world fashion. It is here that the “headquarters” of such well-known companies as Gucci and Ferragamo are located. In the center of the city, almost every door sells something. The most elegant fashion stores, located between Ponte Vecchio and Palazzo Pitti, in Via Guicciardini, Via de’ Tuornabuoni and Via Strozzi, will captivate you with the richness and variety of goods. Between the streets of Calimala, Roma and Tornabuoni (Via Calimala, Via Roma, Via Tornabuoni) all the main boutiques gathered: Trussardi, Gucci, Tiffany & Co, Salvatore Ferragamo, Gai Mattiolo, Prada and others. In the neighborhood, on the famous “Golden Bridge” Ponte Vecchio, the most expensive and sophisticated jewelery stores, which Florence is so famous for, are concentrated. Luxury leather goods and shoes are to be found in the shops located between Ponte Vecchio and Via Por’Santa Maria, on Via de’Calzaioli and at the end of Via Roma.
Those who want to deal with all the purchases in one trip and without turning anywhere go on a long street, laid by the Romans, which begins at the Republic Square and leads towards the outskirts. At the intersection with Calcaioli, it is called Corso, after Via Proconsolo it passes into Borgo degli Albizi, then it becomes Via Pietrapiana, then Borgo La Croce and finally gets to the roundabout road (Viali), crosses it under the gates of the XXI century and flows into Via Gioberti (Via Gioberti). And all the way on both sides – solid shops. Anything can be found here – from a folding bookshelf to three-penny jeans or a futuristic necklace. There are also large outlets of famous Italian brands. One of them, The Mal, is under Florence in the small town of Leccio.
It is impossible to leave Florence without going up to Piazzale Michelangelo – an observation deck on one of the hills on the banks of the Arno. From here you can see the panorama of the city in all its splendor. Along the banks of the Arno stretches a well-cultivated plain bordering on hills covered with the greenery of olive groves and cypresses. A sad and neat landscape that serves as the backdrop for the paintings of all Florentine artists of the 15th century.
