FLORENCE CITY CENTRE WEST

Heading back up Via De’ Guicciardi you will arrive to the world famous Ponte Vecchio. As the name suggests it is the oldest bridge in Florence and the only bridge in the city which wasn’t blown up during World War II. The Butchers and Tanners who lined the bridge with their shops were evicted by Duke Ferdinand I who couldn’t bare the smell and noise they created and replaced them with jewellers and goldsmiths, the shops of which can still be seen today.

Once you cross the Ponte Vecchio make a right and then a left. You are now in front of the Uffizi Gallery. The Uffizi were originally built as a series of offices by Cosimo I, who housed his administration conveniently behind Palazzo Vecchio. The architect was Vasari, and made a very innovative use of iron and glass on the upper floor to allow a spectacular view. This area was later used by the Medici to put on display the family treasures as it is extremely well lit, creating the first gallery in the world.

The Uffizi house works of art that go from ancient Rome and Greece to the more famous Botticelli’s Venus, Giotto’s Madonna d’Ognissanti, Michelangelo’s Holy Family, and the first Renaissance portraits which reflected reality: the Duke and Duchess of Urbino by Piero della Francesca.

Leaving the Uffizi, make a right and follow the river all the way West to Piazza Goldoni. In this square turn around and take another breathtaking look of the Ponte Vecchio and the river, definitely worth another shot! Head up via de’ Fossi until you reach Piazza Santa Maria Novella.

the Santa Maria Novella church is an example of Gothic architecture and contains some of the most important works of art in Florence. The church was built by Dominicans who also built a cemetery beside it walled with avelli. The cloisters form a museum where you can see in the Spanish Chapel a fresco called Domini Cane (hounds of God) where the Dominicans are depicted as dogs rounding up stray sheep. Another noteworthy piece is Masaccio’s Trinity, a pioneering work of art which introduces perspective to the world. A visit should also be paid to the Stozzi Chapel, the Tornabuoni Chapel and the Green Cloister.