FLORENCE CITY CENTRE NORTH: SAN MARCO

From Via Ricasoli, once you cross via de’ Pucci, make a left, after a brief walk you will find yourself in Piazza San Lorenzo. This area is stamped with the seal of Duke Cosimo I, founder of the Medici Dynasty. Cosimo I commissioned most of the churches, libraries and palaces here with the hope they would last 1000 years. Reaching piazza San Lorenzo you will find the statue of Giovanni dalle Bande Nere, Cosimo’s father in front of the Church dedicated to this saint.

San Lorenzo’s façade remains unfinished though the interior is stunning and designed by Brunelleschi. This church was the parish to the Medici Family, Buontalenti designed the huge Dome, recalling that of the Brunelleschi. In 1520 Michelangelo began work on the Medici tombs and the Biblioteca Laurenziana which houses the manuscripts collected by the family, accessed through a gorgeous staircase designed by Michelangelo.

The Cappelle Medicee or Medicean Chapels are situated in San Lorenzo, though you can access them from behind in Piazza Madonna degli Aldobrandini. Michelangelo designed the interior and sculpted the allegories inside entitled Dusk and Dawn, Day and Night. Six grand dukes are buried in the Cappelle. 

Leaving the chapels, cross the square and you will find Palazzo Medici Riccardi. This was home to the Medici for over 100 years and later acquired by the Riccardi family, hence the name. Only few rooms are open to the public as today the palace houses a government office. The Sala di Luca Giordano is well worth the visit where you can see the Apotheosis of the Medici painting.

Leaving the Palazzo Medici Riccardi cross the square and head up Borgo La Noce, you will find yourself in the central food market. This place is packed with fish, meat and cheese downstairs where as fruit and vegetables are upstairs, all on display. Outside the market you will find the Florentine version of fast food, with food stalls selling tripe sandwiches (Lampredotto) roast suckling pig and rabbit.

From Piazza Mercato make a right until you cross via Cavour where you should turn left.  Heading up via Cavour you will find yourself in Piazza San Marco with the San Marco Dominican convent dominating the square.  This convent is famous as it houses Friar Savonarola’s cell and the spiritual paintings of Fra Angelico. This area also sees the botanical gardens where medical research started in 1543. Heading back south to your right down via Ricasoli you will find the Accademia, famous for Michelangelo’s David and Bonaguida’s Tree of the Cross.

From Piazza San Marco head to the bus stop, take the ecological C line. Time to cross the river! The ticket costs € 1,20 and has a 1 hour validity 

Get off the bus at the last stop: Santa Maria di Soprarno. Keeping the river on your right go straight down Via de’ Bardi until you cross via Guicciardi, make a left and you will find Palazzo Pitti.  This huge residence was originally built for the Banker Luca Pitti. It was later acquired and developed into what it is today by the Medici making it their official residence. Today Palazzo Pitti houses various museums such as the Palatine Gallery, the modern art gallery, the Museo degli Argenti, Museo delle Porcellane and the Galleria del Costume. Behind Palazzo Pitti are the Boboli Gardens.  This is a complex and intricate landscaping example of Renaissance gardening. The parts closer to the palace are very precise boxed hedges, clippings and geometric forms which lead to a more wild and shrubby part which was purposefully created to enhance the contrast. The gardens are strewn with various statues a lake and mazes.

Get off the bus at the last stop: Santa Maria di Soprarno. Keeping the river on your right go straight down Via de’ Bardi until you cross via Guicciardi, make a left and you will find