Florence: The Historic Center, from the Duomo to the Ponte Vecchio To say that Florence's historic center, stretching from the Piazza del Duomo in the north to the Giardino Boboli across the Arno to the south, is beautiful could be misconstructed as an understatement. Indeed, this relatively small area is home to some of the most important artistic treasures in the world. The smorgasbord of churches, medieval towers, Renaissance palazzi (palaces), and world-class museums and galleries is not a static testimony to the artistic and architectural genius of the past millennium, but a shrine to some of the most outstanding aesthetic achievements of Western history. A Good Walk Start at the Duomo and Battistero, climbing the Campanile if you wish, yhen visit the Museo dell'Opera del Duomo, behind the Duomo. You can go directly south from in front of the Duomo to the Piazza della Signoria by way of Via dei Calzaiuoli (from here you can take a detour west on Via Speziali to Piazza della Repubblica, passing Orsanmichele, or go isntead directly south from the Museo dell'Opera del Duomo along Via del Proconsolo to the Bargello (opposite the ancient Badia Fiorentina, built in 1285). From the Bargello head west on Via della Condotta to Via Calzauioli, then south to discover the architectural splendors of the Piazza della Signoria, including the Loggia dei Lanzi and the Palazzo Vecchio. The Palazzo degli Uffizi, Italy's most important art gallery, is off the south side of the piazza. Leave the piazza from the southwest corner along Via Vacchereccia. To the left, at the corner with Via Por Santa Maria (lined with stores), is the Mercato Nuovo. Follow Via Por Santa Maria to the river; wlak est along the north side of the Arno to Piazza dei Giudici to see the Museo di Storia
Florence: The Historic Center, from the Duomo to the Ponte Vecchio To say that Florence’s historic center, stretching from the Piazza del Duomo in the north to the Giardino Boboli across the Arno to the south, is beautiful could be misconstructed as an understatement. Indeed, this relatively small area is home to some of the
