Florence

Florence is the capital of the region of Tuscany in Italy, with a population of about 366,500. Over a million people visit every year. The city is considered a cultural, artistic and architectural gem, one of the most beautiful cities in the world. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Florence’s legendary artistic heritage attracts art lovers and students of art from all over the world. History and art are the most important aspects of the city, but fashion, jewellery, and gastronomy are other important attractions.

Florence was the birthplace of the Italian Renaissance. Politically, economically, and culturally it was the most important city in Europe for around 250 years, from some time before 1300 until the early 1500s.

Some of the most important sights in Florence are: the Uffizi Gallery- one of the world's most famous fine art museums with collections of Renaissance paintings and sculptures from classical antiquity; the Accademia Gallery - highlights are Michelangelo's David and the unfinished Slaves; The Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore -also known as the Duomo di Firenze is the city's beautiful cathedral, the symbol of the city. Its dome, Brunelleschi's Dome was an engineering feat of the Renaissance. Its Baptistery is famous for bronze doors by Andrea Pisano (14th century) and Lorenzo Ghiberti (15th century); Ponte Vecchio - the oldest and most famous bridge over the Arno and the only Florentine bridge to survive WW2; Santa Croce church - contains the monumental tombs of Galileo, Michelangelo, Machiavelli, Dante, and many other notables in addition to artistic decorations; Santa Maria Novella - near the train station, is a beautiful church and contains great artwork, including a recently restored Trinity by Masaccio.