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Places (POIs) visited during this tour

Place #1
Distance: 0.41mi , Attraction : Historical Landmark
Map Pin
Sdrucciolo de' Pitti, 21r, 50125 Firenze FI, Italy
POI 1 Tour Image
Palazzo Pitti
And, here, we, go. Anyone seen The Dark Knight? From time to time, I will drop movie quotes during the tour. Ok! Let’s begin.

In front of us stands the grand Palazzo Pitti, originally constructed in the 15th century for the wealthy banker Luca Pitti. The palace became the residence of the powerful Medici family in the 16th century. The square itself serves as the forecourt to the palace and is surrounded by the elegant architecture of the Renaissance.

Palazzo Pitti dominates the piazza and is one of the largest architectural monuments in Florence. It houses several museums, including the Palatine Gallery, which displays works by renowned artists like Raphael and Titian, and the Royal Apartments, which offer a glimpse into the opulent lives of the Medici and later rulers.

This gallery boasts an extensive collection of Renaissance and Baroque paintings, primarily amassed by the powerful Medici family and later expanded by the Lorraine dynasty.

The Palatine Gallery is renowned for its extraordinary collection of works, notably Raphael's Madonna of the Chair and Titian's La Bella.

Unlike traditional museum layouts, the Palatine Gallery’s artworks are displayed in the richly decorated rooms of the palace, maintaining the historical context of how these pieces were originally viewed by the Medici family. The frescoed ceilings, elaborate furnishings, and opulent interiors contribute to an immersive experience.

The gallery is organized thematically rather than chronologically, which is unusual for art museums. This thematic arrangement allows visitors to explore the personal tastes and artistic preferences of the palace's former inhabitants.

The piazza is also the gateway to the Boboli Gardens, an expansive and beautifully landscaped park that was designed for the Medici family. The gardens are an important example of Italian garden design and feature sculptures, fountains, and grottoes.

Originally laid out for the Medici family in the 16th century, the Boboli Gardens served as the model for many European courts, including Versailles. The gardens were designed by several prominent architects and landscape designers, including Niccolò Tribolo, Bartolomeo Ammannati, and Bernardo Buontalenti.

The gardens are an open-air museum filled with a vast collection of statues, fountains, and grottoes. Notable sculptures include the Fountain of Neptune and the Obelisk, which was brought from Egypt. The gardens also house the famous Grotta del Buontalenti, an artificial grotto adorned with sculptures, frescoes, and stalactites, designed by Buontalenti.

The Boboli Gardens cover 111 acres, characterized by a formal layout with geometric paths, terraces, and vistas. The gardens are arranged on a hillside, offering panoramic views of Florence and the surrounding Tuscan countryside. The design includes a central axis leading to the Fountain of Neptune, flanked by symmetrical parterres and hedges, embodying the Renaissance principles of order and harmony.

Read More

  https://www.uffizi.it/en/pitti-palace
Place #2
Distance: 0.02mi , Attraction : Architecture
Map Pin
Sdrucciolo de' Pitti, 19R, 50125 Firenze FI, Italy
POI 3 Tour Image
Vicoli (Streets)
The narrow streets of Florence, or "vicoli," are a defining characteristic of the city's historic center, weaving through the urban fabric and connecting its many cultural and historical landmarks. These streets, often cobblestone, reflect Florence's medieval origins, with their layout largely unchanged since the Middle Ages.

These narrow streets were designed during a time when the city was growing rapidly within its medieval walls. The close proximity of buildings and the winding nature of the streets were not just practical for defense but also reflective of the compact living conditions of the time. These streets were home to artisans, merchants, and the bustling everyday life of Florentines.

Walking through these narrow streets gives visitors a sense of intimacy with Florence’s rich history. The buildings lining these streets are often several stories high, with the upper floors jutting out over the street, creating a canyon-like effect. Many of these structures are adorned with beautiful stonework, frescoes, and historical plaques that tell the stories of the city’s past inhabitants.

As you navigate the narrow streets, you’re likely to stumble upon hidden gems such as small churches, ancient towers, and artisan workshops. In addition, the streets around the Duomo, Piazza della Signoria, and the Oltrarno district are particularly noted for their charm and cultural significance. We will visit them later in the tour.

Today, these streets offer a unique blend of the old and the new. While they preserve their historic character, many are home to modern boutiques, cafes, and restaurants. Despite their narrowness, they remain lively and vibrant, full of local residents and visitors alike.

Some of the most notable narrow streets include Via dei Calzaiuoli, which connects Piazza del Duomo to Piazza della Signoria, and Via del Corso, known for its historical significance and elegant buildings. The Oltrarno district, across the Arno River, also has many narrow streets that retain a more local, authentic feel, with artisan workshops and less commercialized spaces.

The narrow streets of Florence not only guide visitors through the city’s rich past but also create an intimate experience that immerses them in the daily life and timeless beauty of this Renaissance jewel.

Continue on Sdrucciolo de Pitti, then left at Via dei Michelozzi, until we reach the next place on our tour today, Basilica di Santo Spirito.

Read More

  https://www.withinflorence.com/a-fiorentine-flaneur-the-art-of-wandering-in-florence/
Tour itinerary stops | Additional places you'll see on this self-guided tour

Map Pin Place 1 Palazzo Pitti
Map Pin Place 2 Vicoli (Streets)
Map Pin Place 3 The Basilica di Santo Spirito
Map Pin Place 4 Cuisine
Map Pin Place 5 Ponte Santa Trinita
Map Pin Place 6 Arno River
Map Pin Place 7 Basilica si Santa Trinita and Ferragamo Museum
Map Pin Place 8 Column della Giustizia
Map Pin Place 9 Via Porta Rossa
Map Pin Place 10 Story Time and Restroom Break
Map Pin Place 11 Piazza della Repubblica
Map Pin Place 12 Famous Figures
Map Pin Place 13 Piazza di San Giovanni
Map Pin Place 14 Giotto's Bell Tower
Map Pin Place 15 Baptistery of St. John
Map Pin Place 16 Duomo
Map Pin Place 17 Duomo Legends
Map Pin Place 18 Museo dell'Opera del Duomo
Map Pin Place 19 Coffee and Gelato
Map Pin Place 20 Palazzo Pazzi
Map Pin Place 21 Bargello Museum
Map Pin Place 22 Casa Buonarroti
Map Pin Place 23 Basilica di Santa Croce
Map Pin Place 24 Piazza di Santa Croce
Map Pin Place 25 Wine Window
Map Pin Place 26 Leather Industry
Map Pin Place 27 Palazzo Gondi
Map Pin Place 28 Piazza della Signoria
Map Pin Place 29 Neptune Fountain and Hercules Statue
Map Pin Place 30 Machiavelli Statue
Map Pin Place 31 Uffizi Gallery
Map Pin Place 32 Sonnet
Map Pin Place 33 Ponte Vecchio
Map Pin Place 34 Conclusion



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