Here's the deal. Most of my...
by DrewV
Here's the deal. Most of my pictures are going to resemble everyone else's pictures (Krystynn, in particular). Why? When you go to Florence, you'll notice that there are certain vantage points that lend themselves to terrific pictures. Therefore, every single traveller who visits Florence has the same picture of David, the same picture of the Ponte Vecchio, the same view from the Parche Michaelangelo. You learn to expect it.
That said, the Ponte Vecchio is simply fabulous. The buildings on the bridge are from the 13th century. There were originally shops for butchers, tanners, and other stinky professions, but the Medicis replaced them with goldsmiths and jewelers (to make it classy and less offensive). Those jewelers are still there, and they're most expensive. Still, it's an impressive bridge, and the only bridge across the Arno to survive World War II.
Under bus station there’s...
by vysnaite
Under bus station there’s underground car parking. Close to the station is tourist information office (take a map, some things to read about what’s going on, what exhibitions, etc, or ask).
A lovely city, something I was missing for in Italy! If to choose from all the big cities of Italy, without any doubts I’d love to come back to Florence many times. The same as to Italy and to all the small cities I’ve visited with vine yards and wine-cells in summer, to come back to the lake we’ve been (it’s one of the places where I could really get back some oxygen after Rome ). Ech.. anyway, first go to Florence :)
Europe's first orphanage.
by leics
In Piazza Della S.S. Annunziata is the orphanage of Spedale degli Innocenti (or, sometimes, Ospedale). This was the first orphanage in Europe, dating from 1445, and was mostly designed by Brunelleschi (and paid for by the silk-weavers' guild). The loggia across the entrance, which has nine arches, was one of Florence's earliest Renaissance creations.
It is worth noting that many of the earliest orphans were the children of slaves; Florence retained slavery until the fifteenth century.
Along the top of the loggia are blue and white 'tondi' of swaddled babies; they look very chubby, very healthy and very happy. I doubt the original orphans looked the same. The building, by the way, is still used as an orphanage.
It is possible to visit inside. Open Thurs - Tues, 8.30 to 2.
No transportation needed!
by aquatic
The streets of the florence is so tiny, I don't think you will get to the point of your interest faster by car than by foot. I walked everywhere around the Florence and think it is the best way to see more than in a guide book.
Don't Miss an Excellente Pizza
by rodrigo82 about Forno
This is a small bakery very close to the Duomo and just around the corner from American Express. They sell the best pizzas in Florence aswell as calzoni and excellent pastry (torta della nonna). Pizza
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Who wouldn't recognize this guy?!
The other side of the duomo, another window
Houses by the Bridge
L'Antico Noé Volta di S. Piero 6r/8r
