Enjoying the art in lovely Firenze :)
This would be my 1st whole day in
First stop was a church: Ntra. Sra Annunziata. Just the churches are open so early, hahaha. Why? Well, it was open and was in my way from the bus stop to the Main Square. I didn't know much about it, besides it was really old, but I found a really nice altar, lovely surprise.
One of the art galleries I definitely wanted to visit was the Galeria Uffizzi. When I arrived I saw 2 lines, one for the people with reservations and other one for the others without reservations like me… I was aware this gallery was really popular, always full of people, but didn’t know that could be so bad… Anyway the line wasn’t long yet and it was early, so I decided to give it a shot.
The people who had reservation had an exact time for their tours, lucky them! But I didn't have an appointment, so just had to be patient and do the line... But I was lucky, though. It was around 9am when I went in. Also the time I was doing line, wasn't a waste of time. I met a nice couple who didn't have reservations either, but read about the Gallery and suggested me to focus on the rooms 10th - 14th, where the master pieces were. Super!!!
The Gallery is huge!!! So good, I met this couple and started the tour in a different way than the rest of the people, so I had the art almost just for me :) There was also a special exhibition of Leonardo’s work.
After that I went to the Duomo. This time I went inside the Cathedral and climbed the tower bell of course. Stairs I saw, stairs I had to climb, hahaha. There were 416 steps! It was good, being in shape hahaha. The climbing was worth, I can't describe how beautiful the view of the whole city was. The piazzas, the houses, the roofs, everything was so great! And you would be able to find really great art pieces everywhere you go.
Once I was down, it was around 2pm. I went to
It was a long day, went back to the hostel and chill out there... next stop: Pisa!!!!
It hides many treasures. Must see the patio, small fountain at the center, Chamber of Quinientos. However the courtyard and the interior are both absolutely beautiful, there's not everything you'd like here. Inside you find an art collection with work from several European artists.
Take your time to walk through the majestic rooms filled with beauty and art. You'll also get lovely views from the Duomo and rest of Florence from some of the rooms. Don't forget to look up, the ceilings are incredible.
It is connected with the Palazzo Pitti through the Vasari corridor which runs through the Uffizi and over Ponte Vecchio to the other side of the river Arno.
It was amazing watching all these beautiful art pieces "in live". I was looking for Boticelli's "The Spring" and "The Birth of Venus"; Leonardo's "Annunciation"; Michelangelo's "Sacred Family"; and other pieces from Rafael and Tiziano. Also find work from Durero, Altdorfer, Cranach & Holbein, Tintoretto, the Verones, Rubens, Caravaggio, Goya. I grew up reading books of art and admiring these pieces, so awesome to see them "face to face". Just at the entrance - not even going inside - you'll find amazing art pieces, just telling you what's about to come.
This museum is huge and always crowded. They have a website where you can book your visit, so you won't have to wait too long. I highly recommend to do it. I didn't but arrived really early, so it didn't take me too long to go inside. The Vasariano corridor (self portraits area) connects the gallery with Palazzo Pitti.
Other tip: read about the different rooms in the museum first and visit your favorite first (mine were 10 -14th) then go back and visit the others. If you start from the 1, 2, etc. You will be walking with all the people and won't be able to see much. ;)
It's the 3rd largest cathedral in the world and its style express the bridging of Greek and Gothic architecture. But the beauty is not only outside, but also inside, where you can see all marble floors and yawning aisles, shaped to appear like a gigantic cross. Most of the art masterpieces are now in the museums across the square, but you can still find a few of them inside, for example Donatello's stained glass window. Don't forget its gigantic and beautiful cupola visible from every street.
Once you are visiting Santa Maria del Fiore, go to the Baptistery and take a close look to the doors and mosaics.
Campanille: I highly recommend you to climb to it. While you are climbing you'll find hexagonal medallions and 2 floors with gothic windows. Fro the top you will get one of the best views of the city and surrounding countryside. This is a 414 steps climbing with an extra cost, but totally worth!
Hours:
Baptistery: 12m-7pm, with a cheap fee.
Giotto Bell tower: 8:30am-7:30pm, with a fee.
Just image being witness of a glowing orange sunset...
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