Your discovery will start with the ancient Medici Family District. Along the heart of Florence,you will also walk along the same narrow streets where the Medici' walked, touching the stones used to build their residences and you will see the same monuments that they were used to see every day: the first example of building is Palazzo Medici Riccardi, their first residence in San Lorenzodistrict, where you can find as well their Church and mausoleum-Medici Chapels. A few steps away you will reach then the amazing complex of monuments that characterise the religious centre of Florence: the Cathedral with its incredible Brunelleschi dome, the Baptistery of San Giovanni with the Porta del Paradiso (Gates of Paradise) and the elegant Giotto bell tower, the loveliest in all of Italy.
The walk continues along lively Via Calzaioli in the heart of the city, where you can admire the imposing and singular Orsanmichele Church, a masterpiece of Florentine gothic art, decorated with shrines with statues of the patron saints of the powerful medieval trade guilds. Then we reach the bustling Mercato della Paglia (Straw Market): don’t forget to rub the nose of the famous “porcellino” (pig) and toss a coin into the fountain to bring you good luck!
Continuing on, you can admire the romantic, picturesque Ponte Vecchio, the oldest bridge in Florence, with its renowned jewellery shops. Finally we arrive in Piazza Signoria, one of the most beautiful squares in the world and the political centre of the city. In this true “outdoor museum”, you’ll be amazed as you admire the beautiful Fountain of Neptune with the marvellous and imposing marble statue by Ammannati and then, looking around, the sculptural masterpieces of the Loggia dei Lanzi, including the Cellini’s Perseus and the Gianbologna’s Rape of the Sabines. Dominating all this is the majestic Palazzo Vecchio with its crenellated Arnolfo tower, one of the most famous symbols of Florence that you will be able to admire in all its magnificence.
Please note that the order of the visits may change
