What to do in Province of Florence

According to the architect and father of art history writing, Giorgio Vasari, the Galleria degli Uffizi was a place where great artists such as Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo met "for beauty, for work and for recreation". What the gallery’s visitors now lack in artistic genius, they make up for in sheer number; over one million pass through its doors every year.

Goldsmiths and jewellers moved in to the shops along the ground floor of Florence’s Ponte Vecchio after a decree in 1593 ordered that all butchers be removed due to the unwholesome smell. Over four hundred years later, and they are still there, outnumbered only by the hordes of tourists who flock here every day to marvel at the medieval design and fascinating history of the famous old bridge.

The Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, known locally as the Duomo (or "Cathedral"), is the most striking and impressive reminder of the power and wealth of the city-state of Florence during the Middle Ages. Work on this incredible architectural feat, which dominates the Florentine skyline, began in 1294 and the fact that the dome is still the biggest of its kind in the world is testament to the ambition of its architects. While most visitors come to see the building itself, the vast interior of the cathedral is home to frescoes, stained-glass windows and sculptures by Italian masters.

Located in the heart of Florence, the Piazza del Duomo is a vibrant hub of activity that has been attracting the attention of culture-lovers for decades. Taking centre stage is the city’s famous cathedral (or “Duomo” as it is normally called) whose dome dominates the Florentine skyline, while countless architectural and artistic gems lie close by.

An art-lover’s dream, some of the city’s most celebrated treasures are on display at the grandiose Palazzo Pitti (Pitti Palace). Constructed in 1458, this palace was originally home to ambitious Florentine banker, Luca Pitti. It was sold to the Medici family in 1549 and was opened as a public museum in 1919. The Palatine contains a broad collection of Renaissance and Baroque paintings. This lavish gallery overflows into the Royal apartments, a suite of 14 rooms formerly used by the Medici family, while the Silver and Carriages museums offer visitors a window into the world of Florence’s most formidable family.

History, politics, art and architecture all combine to make Florence’s bustling Piazza della Signoria a vibrant hub for locals and visitors alike. No matter the day, you’ll find crowds of tourists queuing for the Uffizi Gallery and being entertained by colourful street performers, while busy local officials enter and exit the town hall, the Palazzo Vecchio.