Florence was the greatest city of the Italian Renaissance and said to be founded by Julius Caesar in 59 BC. It lies by the Arno River and was an independent city state prospering through banking and European trade. The Medici family ruled it for 300 years through the 15th – 17th centuries and the great arts flourished under their patronage. Today, Florence is still a city of craftsmen, shopkeepers, artisans, farmers and professors. |
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The famous skyline of Florence viewed from Piazza di Michelangelo across the
Arno River (not in view). On the left is the slender tower of Palazzo Vecchio
and the church of Santa Croce is on the right. In the centre is
the Duomo with its outstanding cupola. |
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The statue of David by Michelangelo at the Piazza di
Michelangelo but this is just a copy. The original is
in the Academy museum. |
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The Fountain of Neptune and other sculptures at Piazza
della Signoria, the city’s main square. |
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Another copy of David outside Palazzo Vechio. He is
referred to as the ‘giant’ - symbol of how a small
country can defeat a huge enemy. |
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| Sculptures in the open museum Loggia d’ Lanzi. |
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Bronze statue of Perseus holding the up the
bloody head of Medusa. Known as ‘The Tyrant’,
it symbolises victory of Medici family over
Republican Florence. |
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Santa Croce, the famous church in Florence renowned for its
frescos and tombs of the most illustrious personalities
including Michelangelo and Galileo. |
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The imposing Duomo or Santa Maria del Fiore, the cathedral
was consecrated in 1436(building started in 1296). The
dome was designed by Brunelleshi. |
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The beautiful facade of the Duomo constructed from white,
green and pink marble. On the right is a part of the campanile. |
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| The exquisitely decorated main entrance of the Duomo. |
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Ornate details on the bronze doors to the Battistero (Baptistery).
Artistic enhancements continued from the 11th to the 15th century. |
