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The Cradle of the Renaissance

Florence architecture

Florence is widely considered the birthplace of the Renaissance, the cultural and artistic movement that transformed Europe. It produced Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, Galileo, Dante, and Machiavelli, among others. Brunelleschi's cathedral dome — the Duomo — was completed in 1436 and remains the largest brick dome ever constructed. The Uffizi Gallery houses one of the world's most important collections of Renaissance painting.

  • 5Landmarks
  • 1299Oldest · Palazzo Vecchio
  • 114 mTallest · Florence Cathedral
  • 4Architects

Before you go

  • Fly intoFlorence Peretola Airport (FLR)

    Florence Peretola Airport (Amerigo Vespucci Airport) is named after the Florentine explorer who gave America its name. The airport sits close to the city center, just 5km from the Duomo, making arrivals and departures unusually convenient for a major cultural destination. A new tramway extension directly linking the terminal to the city center opened in 2019.

  • CurrencyEuro (€)
  • LanguageItalian

    Florence is historically significant in the story of the Italian language: the Tuscan dialect spoken here during the Renaissance became the foundation of modern standard Italian. Dante's Divine Comedy, written in Florentine vernacular, effectively created Italian literature. While locals speak standard Italian, a Florentine accent has its own distinctive character that Italians across the country recognize.

  • Getting aroundATAF Buses & Trams

    Florence's historic center is designated a Limited Traffic Zone (ZTL), restricting private cars from the medieval streets during much of the day. The city is best explored on foot or by bicycle — a popular bike-sharing network called Mobike operates throughout the center. The T1 and T2 tram lines connect the main train station to the outlying neighborhoods, while orange ATAF buses serve the wider metropolitan area.

5 landmarks in Florence

  1. Florence Cathedral
    Photo: Gary Campbell-Hall, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

    Florence Cathedral

    Piazza del Duomo, 50122 Firenze FI, Italy

    The Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, crowned by Brunelleschi's iconic dome — an engineering marvel that remained the world's largest dome for centuries.

    Built
    1436
    Architect
    Arnolfo di Cambio, Filippo Brunelleschi
    Style
    Gothic / Renaissance
    Height
    114 m (376 ft)
    Stories
    3
    Today
    Cathedral (active) / museum
  2. Uffizi
    Photo: Arek N., CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

    Uffizi

    Piazzale degli Uffizi 6, 50122 Firenze FI, Italy

    One of the most important art museums in the world, housing Botticelli's Birth of Venus and works by Leonardo, Michelangelo, and Raphael.

    Built
    1581
    Architect
    Giorgio Vasari
    Style
    Mannerist
    Height
    16 m (52 ft)
    Stories
    3
    Today
    Art museum
  3. Ponte Vecchio
    Photo: Ingo Mehling, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

    Ponte Vecchio

    Ponte Vecchio, 50125 Firenze FI, Italy

    Medieval stone arch bridge over the Arno River, lined with jewelry shops and the only Florentine bridge to survive WWII.

    Built
    1345
    Architect
    Taddeo Gaddi (attributed)
    Style
    Medieval
    Height
    10 m (33 ft)
    Stories
    2
    Today
    Bridge / jewelry shops
  4. Palazzo Vecchio
    Photo: Francesco Bini, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

    Palazzo Vecchio

    Piazza della Signoria, 50122 Firenze FI, Italy

    The town hall of Florence with its distinctive crenellated tower, a symbol of Florentine civic pride since the 13th century.

    Built
    1299
    Architect
    Arnolfo di Cambio
    Style
    Medieval Florentine Gothic
    Height
    94 m (308 ft)
    Stories
    4
    Today
    Town hall / museum
  5. Basilica of Santa Croce, Florence
    Photo: Diego Delso, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

    Basilica of Santa Croce, Florence

    Piazza di Santa Croce 16, 50122 Firenze FI, Italy

    The largest Franciscan church in the world and burial place of Michelangelo, Galileo, Machiavelli, and Dante.

    Built
    1385
    Architect
    Arnolfo di Cambio
    Style
    Gothic
    Height
    38 m (125 ft)
    Stories
    1
    Today
    Church (active) / museum

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