Location: Uffizi
Top Things to do in Uffizi
The 7 Best Historic Sites in Uffizi, Tuscany
Florence is an art historian’s dream. The Galleria dell'Accademia bursts with works by Michelangelo, who is entombed within the frescoed walls of the Basilica di Santa Croce. Budding photographers can snap pics of the Ponte Vecchio bridge, and serious shoppers can spend a blissful afternoon wandering the shops of Piazza Santo Spirito. Tuscan cuisine pays homage to the region’s bounty. Swipe a hunk of crusty bread across a pool of local olive oil and you’ll be instantly transported to your happiest place.
Restaurants in Florence
1. Palazzo Vecchio
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 8,946 reviews
Florence's principal palace was begun in 1299 and built as the seat of the Signoria, the fathers of the city's republican government.
Reviewed By asiyahnoemik - Pula, Croatia
The beautiful Palazzo Vecchio offers us mysteries, riddles, secret passages and a trip back into history to three eras. Palazzo Vecchio offers to us Roman ruins, a Medieval fortress and amazing Renaissance chambers and paintings. A microcosm where art and history have been indissolubly bound for centuries. Its significance and beauty is immeasurable. And its history is extremely interesting. Palazzo Vecchio is the main symbol of civil power for the city of Florence, whose original project is attributed to Arnolfo di Cambio. Construction on the solid fortress began in 1299 above the ruins of the destroyed Uberti Ghibelline towers, testimony of the final victory of the Guelph faction. From the very beginning, the main section of Palazzo Vecchio was destined to host the city council which was composed of chief members the Guilds of Florence (the Priori) who governed the Republic of Florence. In 1342, the Duke of Athens, Walter VI of Brienne, enlarged Palazzo della Signoria towards Via della Ninna, giving it the appearance of a fortress and even adding a secret staircase for nightly exits. The Salone dei Cinquecento (Hall of the Five Hundred) was built from 1494 during the Republic of Fra’ (friar) by Girolamo Savonarola. The Hall is the largest and most important room in terms of artistic and historical value inside the palace. Paneled ceilings and large wall frescoes, golden decorations and imposing sculptures leave us breathless. When the court of Medici was transferred to Palazzo Vecchio (from Palazzo Medici-Riccardi), it was transformed into a fascinating labyrinth of institutional chambers, apartments, terraces and courtyards. All of the rooms (the so-called Quartieri Monumentali) are magnificently decorated by artists such as Michelangelo, Giorgio Vasari and Donatello. It is fascinating that Pier Soderini, who was named gonfaloniere for life, selected the two greatest Florentine artists of the time, Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo Buonarroti, for the construction of two large murals to decorate the walls of the room, with battle scenes depicting victories of the Republic. Leonardo began to paint the Battle of Anghiari, while Michelangelo used another part of the wall for the Battle of Cascina. The two geniuses of the Renaissance would have had the opportunity to work for a certain period of time face to face, but none of their work had ever been completed.
2. Palazzo Corsini
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 37 reviews
A splendid example of Florentine baroque, this palace houses one of the most beautiful and extensive private art collections in Italy, featuring Italian paintings and sculptures by Signorelli, Botticelli, Bellini, Pontormo and Girodano.
3. Loggia dei Lanzi
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,109 reviews
This outdoor museum space is a peaceful place to rest your weary feet after a long day of sight seeing. Admire some of Florence's most iconic original sculptures from Cellini's "Perseus" to Giambologna's "Rape of the Sabines."
Reviewed By Jo_and_Tom - Anna, United States
This area has several masterpieces with Cellini's Perseus to Rape of Sabines. Luca, our tour guide, stated this area has been there since Renaissance. Many artist at that time along with tourist would be able to study the art up close. Flanking this is the Uffzi, Pallazo Vecchio, and Uffzi museum. If you want an up close photo of a masterpiece this is the place to go.
4. Torre di Arnolfo
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 115 reviews
Reviewed By KatieZ995 - Plymouth, United States
The view is worth the climb. Because you start the climb after you are already on the top floor of the Palazzo the additional 233 steps to the top don't seem too bad. It also (in my opinion) offers a better view of Florence than the bell tower of the Duomo.
5. L’importuno di Michelangelo
6. Column of Justice
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 26 reviews
Reviewed By lpMaggi713 - Baltimore, United States
Located in the middle of the square, the Column of Justice is an ancient granite Roman column named after the sculpture on its top. It actually came from the ancient Baths of Caracalla in Rome. The column itself was a gift from Pope Pius IV to Cosimo I, while the figure of Justice was added almost twenty years later - in 1581. Gaze at the monument for a few minutes; most people just walk by without noticing it.
7. Ercole e il Centauro Nesso
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