Florence is famous as a city of art, beauty, and architecture, and it hosts many of the world’s most famous artworks. From its ancient cathedrals and churches to its more modern hotels and art galleries, there is plenty of fascinating architecture to explore and experience in the city. If you’re planning a trip to Florence, make sure you don’t miss these three unique, beautiful buildings as you move around the city. Do be aware that most galleries and churches cost money to enter, and it’s worth booking in advance if you can to avoid long queues and disappointment.
Florence Cathedral
From the outside, this cathedral is incredibly striking and impressive, and things only get better once you enter. Expect gold-embellished doorways, beautifully bright frescoes, ornate carvings, and an impressively high ceiling, all of which join to create a sense of wonder and awe.
The Medici Palace
The first palatial home of this famous family, and a space in which world-famous artists including Botticelli and Michelangelo have left their mark, this stunning building now functions as a museum that allows visitors to experience the grandeur and glory of this wealthy Florentine family. Each room contains intricate details in the form of paneling, tapestries, frescoes, and carvings, so it’s worth allocating an entire afternoon to exploring this labyrinth of wonders.
Basilica of Santa Maria Novella
This relatively small church is Florence’s oldest basilica, dating back to the mid 1300s. Once inside, keep an eye out for the basilica’s famed stained glass, many of which date back to the 1500s. You can also admire the church’s pulpit, from which Father Tommaso Caccini denounced Galileo’s new theories relating to the cosmos in 1614. Florence truly is a city filled to its brim with history and culture.
