Experiencing the Florentine Renaissance – Sewing Machines Los Angeles

Florence is perhaps best known for the being the site of the Renaissance. This important period in history paved the way for a rebirth of the arts, architecture and literature in Italy and spread throughout the whole of Europe. Today, Florence still contains the evidence of the brilliant piece of history in its buildings and landmarks.

If you are a culture vulture, then Florence is the city for you. You can never turn around a corner without seeing a historic building or a magnificent piece of art. Florence is actually a World Heritage Site dutifully protected and preserved by the UNESCO. There are many places that you can view around the city and this guide will help you make the most out of your time in the city of the Renaissance.

1. The Santa Maria del Fiore.

Also known as the Duomo, this dome-shaped cathedral was built by Filippo Brunelleschi almost 600 years ago. It is the crowning glory of Florence and along with the Campanile nearby, the Doumo presents one of the best that Renaissance architecture can offer. The magnificence of the Duomo which was completed in full after 170 years is the result of the combined artistry of several generations. The façade of the Basilica was dedicated to Madonna or Mary, the Mother of Christ. The bronze doors also highlight her life in intricate details.

2. The Uffizi.

The Uffizi or offices is found in the corner of Piazza della Signoria and is the center of Florentine civil and administrative government. This is one of the most interesting places in the city and is witness to the many important events that occurred here. In 1478, Jacopo de Pazzi murdered Giuliano de Medici in an attempt to take control of Florence. However, the plan backfired resulting to the deaths and extermination of the de Pazzi family by the powerful Medicis.

In this site, the extremist Savonarola was hanged and this is also the original location of Michaelangelo’s David until it was moved inside the Accademia dell’Arte Dsegno. Other sculptures were originally found in this area but were moved to another spot to preserve them. They are now replaced by reproductions.

3. The museums.

Museums in Florence are architectural masterpieces on their own. These places are culture and historical wonderland which heightens the artistic and educational value of the museums’ content.

There is no definitive one museum to represent the artwork that can be found in Florence. There is the Piazza della Signoria, near the Uffizi where you can find many of Michaelangelo and Vasari’s works. In the Galleria de Uffizi, you can marvel at the works of the great Boticelli and nearby, you can view the original David in the Galleria dell’Accademia.

If you cross the Arno, you can view a large number of Renaissance works in the Pitti Palace which contains the Medici family’s impressive collection of artworks. Here you can see works by Titian, Raphael and Michaelangelo as well as great examples of contemporary art, costumes and porcelains.

Florence is indeed the epitome of Renaissance art, beautifully preserved in every nook and cranny of the city. What makes a visit to Florence exceptional is the city’s alluring ability to hold the beauty of the past, while still being able to move with the times and maintain its power as evidenced by its strong economic growth.