FLORENCE CITY CENTRE 

Starting point of this itinerary is Piazza del Duomo. The predominant building you will find in this square is the Duomo or Cathedral of Florence or Santa Maria del Fiore. Set in the heart of Piazza del Duomo, the cathedral is so huge it is impossible to appreciate its size and beauty up close. Dominating the city of Florence with the size and height of its Cupola di Brunelleschi, no building in the city is taller. Construction of the Duomo started in 1296 and across the centuries many features and improvements were added until its final completion was decreed with the neo-gothic façade in 1887.

The Architect Brunelleschi’s revolutionary achievement was to build the largest dome of its kind without scaffolding. There are 463 steps which take you to the top and whilst you climb them you can see an inner shell that serve as a platform for the timers that support the outer shell. The tiles on the outside which layer the dome are arranged in a herringbone manner which makes them self supporting, a similar technique adopted at the Pantheon in Rome. The inside of Brunelleschi’s Dome is decorated with the last judgement frescoes by Vasari.

The main entrance of the Duomo is decorated by a neogothic façade made from pink and green marbles, this feature was added in 1871-87 to echo the style of Giotto’s Campanile, Giotto’s Famous bell tower which is positioned on the right of the main entrance.

Entering the Cathedral the impressive size is what immediately catches the eye. The Duomo was built to hold over 20.000 people. A few metres in and one can follow the steps to Santa Reparata, the crypt below the Duomo containing the remains of the original Church (Santa Reparata) which was built in the 4 ^th century and demolished in 1296 to make way for Florence’s Duomo.

An impressive Octagonal marble sanctuary decorated by Baccio Bandinelli surrounds the high Altar and is in turn surrounded by marble pavement. As you climb your way to Brunelleschi’s Dome, you may appreciate the pavement was laid out to form a maze and is much easier to view from a high standing point. In the far east end of the Duomo you will find three apses which house 5 chapels each and crowned by miniature copies of the Duomo. The stained glass is by Lorenzo Ghiberti and dates back to the 15 ^th century.

In his capacity as city architect Giotto designed the  bell tower in 1334 and was completed in 1359, 22 years after his death. At 85 metres (276 feet) the Campanile di Giotto is slightly shorter than Brunelleschi’s Dome. Decorated with Gothic windows in pink green and white marble and terracotta bas reliefs at it’s base made by Andrea Pisano it offers unparalleled views of the city.

Just in front of the Duomo’s entrance is the Baptistry. With its celebrated doors this could very well be the oldest building in Florence, dating back to the year 400. He ceiling is a mosaic representing the Last Judgement and was a 13 ^th century addendum, set above the octagonal font where many famous Florentines were baptised, including Dante Alighieri. The most impressive feature of the Baptistry, other than the zodiac floor is without doubt the ‘Gate of Paradise’, i.e. the East Doors of the building. Lorenzo Ghiberti was commissioned the doors in 1401 to celebrate the end of the plague in Florence, the doors were finally ready 21 years later. The name Gate of Paradise was given to them by Michelangelo who was very much enthusiastic about them. The original doors are on display at the Museo dell’Opera del Duomo, the ones on the Baptistry are of course a copy.

Proceeding outside along the side of the cathedral keeping it to your right, you will find directly behind the Cupola di Brunelleschi The Museo dell’Opera del Duomo. This museum is home to various Roman and Etruscan carvings and sarcophagi as well as various statues, such as the Madonna with glass eyes by Arnolfo di Cambio, other works of art by Donatello, Della Robbia and Ciuffagni are also on permanent display, the star of the exhibition is, however, Michelangelo’s Pietà.

Once exited the Museo dell’Opera del Duomo, keeping the museum behind you, turn left down Via del Proconsolo here you will pass on your left Palazzo Nonofinito, now the anthropological museum, keep walking south until you reach Piazza San Firenze, here you find the Bargello.

The Bargello was built in 1255 as the citiy’s Town hall. The Bargello is the oldest governmental building in Florence surviving today. In the 16 ^th century it housed the chief of police and a Prison, remaining such until the late 1780s. The Bargello was then transformed into a National Museum in 1865. Today it boasts a superb collection of Renaissance masterpieces, with rooms dedicated entirely to Verrocchio, Donatello, and Michelangelo.

After visiting the Bargello head back up Via del Proconsolo and make the first right in Via Dante Alighieri. The first building you see on your right is Badia Fiorentina. This abbey is one of the oldest churches in the city of Florence dating as far back as 978.  Inside you can admire the wonderful altarpiece carved by Mino da Fiesole. The artist is also the author of the carvings of the tomb of Ugo di Toscana. Badia Fiorentina also houses The Virgin’s Appearance to St Bernard of Filippino Lippi.

On the right of the altar you will find a door leading to the Cloister of orange trees (Chiostro degli Aranci) where the monks used to grow oranges. A fresco by the Bronzino can also be seen here.

Leaving Badia Fiorentina make a left on Via Dante Alighieri, as the name suggests the street features the home of the famous writer Dante Alighieri. This medieval building is devoted to Dante’s life and work. A short walk north you will find the church of Santa Margherita de’ Cerchi where Dante saw for the first time Beatrice Portinari, the woman whom he idolized in his poetry. The church is actually noteworthy as it often hosts baroque chamber music and organ recitals and contains a fine altar piece by Neri di Bicci.

You should now be in Via del Corso, make a right and cross the road straight ahead in Borgo degli Albizi with Palazzo Nonfinito on your left. This road is the most ancient way of communication that connected Florence to Rome in the Imperial times. You are now heading East towards Santa Croce