General

The Uffizi Gallery, Piazza Signoria, the Arno River, and a host of characteristic restaurants, wine bars, cafes and shops are concentrated within this small area in the heart of Florence. Steps away from the Uffizi Gallery. Along the bank of the Arno River, one can enjoy views of rowers and kayakers gracefully making their way down the river, the timeless the Ponte Vecchio, and Florence's hillside neighbourhood across the river. In contrast to the busy street life of the day, this area is quite peaceful at night. A midnight stroll through Piazza Signoria and the Uffizi Gallery, and down to the Ponte Vecchio along the Arno River on a starry night is an unforgettable experience.

Important Sites

Uffizi Gallery

This sixteenth century Renaissance palace, once the administrative headquarters of Florence, now contains an estimated ninety percent of Italy 's artistic patrimony. Sitting on the top floor of a unique building erected by Giorgio Vasari between 1560 and 1580, the gallery holds a large collection of Primitive and Renaissance paintings. Paintings and sculptures on display at this famous gallery include works by Giotto, Simone Martini, Piero della Francesca, Fra Angelico, Filippo Lippi, Botticelli, Mantegna, Correggio, Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael, Michelangelo and Caravaggio. German, Dutch and Flemish masterpieces by Dürer, Rembrandt and Rubens are also on display.

Piazza della Signoria

Piazza della Signoria is perhaps one of the most beautiful squares in all of Italy, with the works of Michelangelo, Cellini and Brunelleschi openly displayed; the glorious Palazzo Vecchio (or Palazzo della Signoria) towering over the square; the restaurants that spill out onto the cobble stones of the piazza; and the ever present medieval atmosphere that can still be felt in the air.

Palazzo Vecchio

The Palazzo Vecchio was built in three stages between the thirteenth and sixteenth centuries and now contains the offices of the City Council. Much of this spectacular building can be visited by the public, including the Hall of the Five Hundred, the little Study of Francesco I and the four monumental apartments: the Quarters of the Elements, the Quarters of Eleonora of Toledo, the Residence of the Priors and the Quarters of Leo X, where the reception rooms of the mayor and the council that governs the city are presently located.

Bargello Museum

A collection of Renaissance sculpture, including four of Michelangelo's masterpieces, and works by Donatello, Brunelleschi and Ghiberti.