Renowned for its rich history and stunning architecture, Florence is a must-visit destination for art enthusiasts and history buffs alike. From Michelangelo’s David and the Duomo, one of the largest churches in the world with its famous Brunelleschi-designed dome, to fashion museums from Gucci and Ferragamo and fabulous Tuscan food (including gelato), Florence offers endless opportunities for exploration and discovery.
After seeing the famous Duomo (free to enter), preferably early before the crowds descend, head to see Michelangelo’s David in the Accademia, 17 feet high and made from a single block of marble. And don’t miss the museum’s other considerable Renaissance treasures by Sandro Botticelli, Domenico Ghirlandaio and Filippino Lippi. It’s best to use a tour company for tickets as the queues are madness. A good one is Get Your Guide where you go in an organised, timed queue with a guide who also offers interesting commentary.
For contemporary art, Palazzo Strozzi is a must. The current show, Fallen Angels, is a tremendous exhibition in every meaning of the word (the works are massive) by Anselm Kiefer. The Renaissance architecture of Palazzo Strozzi provides an excellent backdrop for new and historical works by the German artist, including a new commission created for the palace’s internal courtyard, free for everyone to view. And if you’re at the Strozzi, do see the painting exhibition nearby at Hotel Savoy. Abstract Perspectives: Annya Sand’s Tribute To Women runs until 20 May 2024 in the hotel’s public spaces.
For a break to contemplate the range of art and history that surrounds you in Florence, another beautiful historic building in the center offers respite. The Odeon cinema bookshop is in a Renaissance palace has a bookshop downstairs and 200 plush armchairs in the mezzanine gallery above to relax in. There’s also a big screen showing free films in the afternoon.
Don’t be mislead by the name as Gucci Garden Museum is actually inside the 14th-century Palazzo della Mercanzia on the lovely Piazza Signoria. The newly designed interior features a store with one-of-a-kind items, a restaurant and the Gucci Garden Galleria exhibition rooms upstairs that draw on Gucci’s extensive archives including old advertising campaigns, artisans’ images, objects and garments. Expect to be wowed by the beautifully displayed vintage dresses, shoes and luggage. There’s even one incredible room with just handbags. A petite, red-velvet tented cinema auditorium, shows artist films with the general theme of beauty.
For a deep dive into the life and work of Tuscan fashion designer Salvatore Ferragamo, Museo Ferragamo provides a fascinating look at the incredible rise of a designer who came from extremely humble roots
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