Florence has been on my “travel list” for a very long time. I had been postponing visiting it for a long time, but thanks to the coronavirus pandemic, which caused people to stop traveling, I decided that now was the right time to visit Italy. Florence is visited by an average of 13 million people every year, but this year after the pandemic, the streets of this historic city were very empty. Only here and there a tourist from France or Germany.
This visit had several advantages, I didn’t have to queue at museums or galleries or buy tickets online. I was spared the large crowds of people from all over the world who travel to Florence in the summer. Of course, it was something for something. On the other hand, I had to accept the fact that I would be sweating in a mask in closed rooms (for me, mainly in galleries) the whole time. The rooms were air-conditioned, but it was still a pain. Especially for an asthmatic like me.
Most tourists want to see the Duomo, the Statue of David, the Uffizi Gallery, or the famous Ponte Vecchio in the city. These are attractions that are definitely worth a visit, but there is much more to Florence.
PARFUMÉRIE OFFICINA PROFUMO FARMACEUTICA DI SANTA MARIA NOVELLA
Renaissance Florence was also known throughout the continent for its herbalists. Many older Florentines still prefer herbal pharmacies for the treatment of minor ailments rather than going to a traditional pharmacy to buy medicine. I went to the most famous one, which dates back to the 16th century. It was founded by Dominican monks.
It is decorated with beautiful frescoes and chandeliers. It sells fragrant creams, perfumes and you can even buy products for your pet.
LA PROSCIUTTERIA
If you want to experience a true Tuscan food orgasm, head to Via de ‘Neri 54rosso. The people of Tuscany have elevated good food and drink to the same art as the masterpieces that surround them. And what will you enjoy here? Great salami, cheeses and, of course, great wine. This restaurant is located in a truly strategic and suggestive location. It is located 100 meters from the Uffizi Museum and halfway between Piazza delle Signoria and Piazza Santa Croce.
You will find authentic Tuscan specialties from the village of Montespertoli, which is only 25 km from Florence. It is a Chiantigiano (Tuscan region) sales point, shop and country restaurant right in the city center! This place has a great atmosphere and great staff who will explain everything they have brought to you. If you decide to taste a little of everything like me, you will pay 15 Euro per person. The street “Via de ‘Neri” is increasingly becoming a street where you can buy “street food” and for the older generation I would simply call it “bread, ham and wine“!
SOMETHING SMALL BUT VERY GOOD TO EAT
ALL’ ANTICO VINAIO
All’Antico Vinaio is one of the most famous Panini shops and is located right in the center of Florence, just a few steps from the Uffizi and Palazzo della Signoria. You can find this shop at Via dei Neri, 74 / R, 50100 Firenze. In addition to achieving the highest online ratings, this shop attracts more than a thousand customers a day. Due to the large number of customers waiting in line, two All’Antico Vinaio shops have been opened, facing each other in the same location. All Antico Vinaio restaurants offer the best Tuscan cuisine.
I have to admit that I started drooling just by looking at the sandwiches being prepared: crispy bread with a crust that is shiny with olive oil is divided into several pieces before being opened and filled with all the ingredients you have chosen. The filling is different types of salami, it is up to you which version you choose. For example, La Summer is very good: prosciutto Toscano, Mozzarella di bufala, tomato, basil, vinegar and olive oil, or La Dante is excellent: Tuscan roast pork, arugula and spicy sauce. But most of all, what makes it so delicious is the truffle cream.
The first bite was divine, all the ingredients tasted fresh. But let me tell you, that bread!! The only problem was that there was so much of it that I couldn’t eat it all. And all for only 6 EUR.
WHERE TO GO FOR ICE CREAM?
Ice cream is simply part of Italy. If you ask my daughter what she always looks forward to when she goes to Italy, she will tell you that it is pizza and of course those big scoops of ice cream. It is said that gelato was invented here probably in the 16th century, courtesy of Catherine de ‘Medici, whose famous family ruled the city for centuries.
There are many ice cream shops in Florence and I have chosen two for you, where I think I liked it the most.
VIVOLI GELATO
This gelato shop is one of the oldest in Florence and is located at Via dell’Isola delle Stinche 7. They started making their gelato here in the 1930s, when ice was shipped to Florence in blocks from the Apennine Mountains. Things are different today, but that doesn’t mean the flavors are any less decadent. It’s a good thing there are so many leather goods stores nearby, because you might need a new belt.
STUDIO GELATO
The homemade gelato was divine and there is a wide range of flavours, sorbets and various sweet treats on offer at this pink shop, located near the Duomo on Via dei Servi.
PIAZZA DEL DUOMO
Piazza del Duomo is one of the main squares in the city. It is a great place to start your tour of Florence and from here you can see the magnificent Florence Cathedral, the Duomo, Giotto’s Campanile, the Baptistery of St. John and the Loggia del Bigallo. In addition to the pretty buildings, there are also plenty of shops, restaurants and cafes, plus a number of souvenir stalls and of course vendors.
DUOMO
Perhaps the most famous cathedral in the world, the Duomo, as it is simply called in Florence, is the city’s jewel. Originally built in 1436, the stunning façade was not completed until the 19th century. The Duomo is located in the heart of the old town and stands out for miles.
The exterior and front facade of the cathedral is truly monumental. It is covered in white marble and has a red, pink and green design. I really like this style and the color is breathtaking.
GIOTTO’S CAMPANILE
Many people believe that Giotto’s Campanile is attached to the Duomo. However, it is a separate building. It is a masterpiece of Gothic architecture and is one of the most famous in the city. The exterior of the tower is divided into five different levels and again has beautiful marble decoration in vibrant green and pink colors. The tower is covered in a large number of sculptures and works of art.
BAPTISTERIUM
The Baptistery, which completes the trio of buildings associated with the Florence Cathedral, is located in front of the main facade of the Duomo and is a completely separate building. It houses bronze doors that are particularly interesting, depicting various religious scenes and human virtues.
PIAZZA DELLA SIGNORIA
Similar to Piazza del Duomo, Piazza della Signoria is an important square. The main building in this square is the magnificent Pallazo Vecchio with its huge clock tower and fantastic statues of David and Hercules. To the left of the palace is the magnificent Fountain of Neptune and to the right is the Loggia dei Lanzi which contains some beautiful Renaissance statues including Perseus, Menelaus and Hercules.
It was here in this square that the fanatically pious preacher Savonarola burned books, paintings, musical instruments, mirrors, and beautiful clothes on the famous “burnt of vanities.” A year later, he was burned in chains as a heretic in this very square. The place where both fires burned is marked by bronze plaques set in the ground.
STATUE OF DAVID
Probably the most famous statue in the world (and not just because of its genitals) is the Statue of David. It is a magnificent work of Renaissance art created by the legendary artist Michelangelo Buonarroti. The statue represents the biblical hero David, who is said to be the first king of Israel. The original statue can be found in the Galleria dell’Accademia, and a replica stands proudly at the entrance to the Palazzo Vecchio. There are many questions, mysteries, and even hidden meanings surrounding this statue.
His body is the ideal of male beauty. Every muscle is worked to absolute perfection. So you might be wondering: “Why does such a big David have such a small penis (the statue is 4.1 meters tall)?” I’m probably going to disappoint you, but the answer is very simple. Small genitals are a Renaissance convention. If you look at other statues or paintings from this period, you’ll find that he’s not alone. In short, it was done that way before. But they wouldn’t be scientists if they didn’t come up with other explanations. They believe that his statue captures the moment just before the fight. When you’re in Florence, take a good look at the statue. David frowns and has swollen veins on his hands. All of this expresses the tension before the fight and also the mortal fear that David must have experienced despite his courage face to face with the giant Goliath. So shrinking genitals is completely normal.
PALAZZO VECCHIO
While the Duomo is the most important religious building, Palazzo Vecchio is the most important administrative building. This building was built in 1299 and was designed by the same architects who worked on the Duomo and the church of Santa Croce. It has a square design and reminds me a bit of a castle. It is actually a palace where today the representatives of the city live and the mayor and the city council have their offices. I especially liked the interior of the palace, where there are beautiful frescoes.
PONTE VECCHIO
Florence is full of famous buildings, but even more famous is the Ponte Vecchio, which crosses the Arno River. And what made it so famous? Mostly the number of shops lining the main walkway. You will find mainly jewelers, art dealers and souvenir shops here. But it wasn’t always like that. Previously, there were butchers here, whose presence was frowned upon by Ferdinand I de’ Medici. He mainly disliked the fact that they threw unnecessary scraps into the river. That’s why they were replaced by goldsmiths, who have been passing down their trade from generation to generation since the 16th century.
VASARIHO KORIDOR
What will definitely catch your eye on this bridge, however, is the Vasari Corridor. This “secret” corridor, built by Vasari for Duke Cosimo I de’ Medici, connects the Palazzo Vecchio with the Pitti Palace. During World War II, Florence was severely damaged and the Germans blew up all the bridges except the Ponte Vecchio. Hitler declared it too beautiful to be destroyed.
CATHEDRAL OF SANTA CROCE
While Florence Cathedral boasts a huge size, the Cathedral of Santa Croce is truly beautiful and inviting. Built at a similar time to the Duomo, it also has a front facade that features pink, green and red marble polychrome panels that contrast nicely with the white stone. In addition to the beautiful exterior, the interior is home to the tombs of some of the world’s most important Renaissance artists and scientists, including Galileo, Michelangelo and Machiavelli.
CHURCH OF SANTA MARIA NOVELLA
The Church of Santa Maria Novella is a beautiful building and the front facade has a similar design to the Duomo and the Basilica of Santa Croce.
UFFIZI PALACE AND GALLERY
Located right next to Piazza della Signoria, this famous art museum is considered one of the most important Italian museums in the world. Inside the museum is a huge collection of Renaissance art from artists such as Botticelli, Da Vinci, Titian and Raphael. It is one of the most amazing collections of Renaissance art I have ever seen and many of the works are simply fantastic, such as The Baptism of Christ by da Vinci, The Adoration of the Magi by Botticelli and The Sacrifice of Isaac by Caravaggio.
You will spend quite a bit of time on the tour, but believe me, it is worth it. I was really amazed by the beautiful ceilings, which I couldn’t get enough of, until my mask slipped off my nose several times and I got scolded by the local “guards”. 🙂
PALAZZO PITTI
It is such a beautiful example of Renaissance architecture and is located on the south bank of the Arno River. Although the palace was home to Italian royal and powerful families such as the Medici, it now houses the largest museum complex in Florence. Inside the palace there are many different paintings, all of which are richly decorated. You can find works by Titian, Rubens, Caravaggio and Vernon.
I really liked the Stanza della Stufa room, where there are beautiful frescoes and beautifully painted tiles on the floor.
GARDEN BOBOLI
Connected to Palazzo Pitti are the Boboli Gardens. They are truly enormous and beautiful. They cover an area of 45,000 square meters and are one of the largest in Florence. It is a real pleasure to walk through them, but it is better to go here in the morning and take a lot of water with you, because if you are here in the summer like me, you will be really hot.
There are also drinking fountains, but none were running when I was there. I attribute this to the pandemic. These beautiful gardens were created in the 16th century and have a myriad of different sections, including a main lawn with a fountain and obelisk, a selection of secular trees, plants and flowers, and several large ponds with water features. If you’re looking to escape the city, this is a wonderful place to find solace and enjoy some real relaxation.
WHERE TO EAT WELL?
SAN LORENZO MARKET
Take some time to visit one of the indoor food markets in the center of Florence. Two floors of food heaven. The San Lorenzo Market is the largest and oldest, here you will get the chance to experience real Florentine food and you will be able to touch, smell and see the freshest produce and above all taste everything that catches your eye! In the basement you will find vendors selling wine, fruit, meat, fish, cheese, oils and spices, frequented by locals as well as tourists.
You should also know that the first floor of the “Mercato Centrale” (which is another way of calling the San Lorenzo market in Italian) is now home to high-quality bars, restaurants, cafes where you can eat, drink and relax. Expect fresh pasta, Florentine meat or vegetarian burgers, pizza, dumplings, a truffle bar, fried fish, charcuterie and gelato. To really enjoy the food here, try to visit this place outside of the usual dining hours, as it gets a bit crowded.
VIA DE’ TORNABUONI
You will find big names like Gucci, Pucci and Prada on this fashionable street. This pedestrian street is very elegant.
JUST WALK AROUND
The streets of Florence have their own charm, it must be admitted. They are attractive, romantic and busy. The narrow streets evoked different stories in me.
PIAZZALE MICHALANGELO
And how to end your trip to Florence? In this square. It offers the best view of Florence and the cathedral in the entire city. It is located on the south bank of the Arno River. Piazzale Michelangelo is located high on a hill near the Boboli Gardens and Palazzo Pitti.
In the middle of the square stands a beautiful bronze statue of David and on the edge of the square there are many vendors and artists selling their wares. The view from the Piazza is unbeatable and you can see Florence in all its glory from here.
If you are looking for a truly unforgettable photo, this is the place to be! But watch out for the smog! 🙂
So, how are you doing with your travel now?
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