The Basilica of San Lorenzo is located not far from the Duomo of Florence. It is one of the oldest churches in the city, and closely linked to the Medici family. Initially built in the fourth century, the church was rebuilt in Romanesque style in the eleventh century. It was then enlarged during the fifteenth century according to the wishes of Neri di Bicci, progenitor of the Medici family, who wanted to transform the church into the family mausoleum. The expansion works were entrusted to Filippo Brunelleschi, who was also working on the construction of the dome of the Cathedral, and who worked on it until his death in 1446. The project was completed by Antonio Manetti in 1461, who continued the work begun by his master. The interior of the Basilica of San Lorenzo is characterized by perfect proportions and balance among its different architectural components, highlighted by the use of pietra serena (a local gray sandstone) in contrast to the white plaster work. This particular use of pietra serena can also be seen in the Old Sacristy, a masterpiece of Renaissance architecture by Brunelleschi. The room is decorated with the Stories of Saint John the Evangelist by Donatello, who also created the bronze doors with Saints, Martyrs, Apostles and Fathers of the Church. Among the works of art preserved in the Basilica of San Lorenzo in Florence worthy of mention are the two bronze pulpits by Donatello, the Pulpit of the Resurrection and the Pulpit of the Passion; the Marriage of the Virgin by Rosso Fiorentino and the fresco of the Martyrdom of Saint Laurence by Bronzino. Do not miss the splendid Cloister, Chiostro dei Canonici, designed by Filippo Brunelleschi. A peculiarity of the Basilica of San Lorenzo is that it does not have a finished facade. The famous final version was designed by Michelangelo who conceived a majestic travertine marble facade following the commission by Pope Leo X in 1516. This project though, was never completed for various vicissitudes. It is possible to admire the drawings and a wooden reconstruction of this facade project in the museum of Casa Buonarroti. Next to the basilica are the Medici Chapels, which consist of the New Sacristy and the Chapel of the Princes and which preserve Michelangelo's extraordinary masterpieces: Day, Night, Twilight and Dawn.

The Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore is the main cathedral in Florence and represents one of the hubs of the city. It is one of the most important churches in Europe and it was designed to be the largest in the world at the time of its construction. Its dimensions are imposing with 153 meters in length and a width of 38 meters with a difference in height from the floor to the top of the internal dome of about 90 meters. It was consecrated on March 25, 1436 by Pope Eugene IV. The cathedral was built over the pre-existing Church of Santa Reparata, which is still visible in the accessible crypt of the cathedral. Here you can also find Filippo Brunelleschi’s tomb. The foundation stone was laid on 8 September 1296 on a first project by Arnolfo di Cambio, which was followed by other great master craftsmen, including Giotto, who barely had time to start building the large bell tower in his lifetime. The magnificent facade of the Cathedral is a nineteenth-century work by Emilio De Fabris. In 1418, a public competition was launched for the construction of the extensive dome which was to complete the construction of the cathedral. It was Filippo Brunelleschi's pioneering project that was selected and construction work began in 1420. The interior of the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore appears linear and sober and holds masterpieces such as Giovanni Acuto’s equestrian monument by Paolo Uccello and the one of Niccolò da Tolentino by Andrea del Castagno. The frescoes of the dome are spectacular and depict the Last Judgment by Federico Zuccari and Giorgio Vasari. Other masterpieces, such as the Singing Choirs (Cantoria) by Donatello and Della Robbia made for the Cathedral, are now preserved in the Museo dell'Opera del Duomo.

Piazza della Repubblica is the beating heart of the center of Florence, where the old city meets the modern one, and teems with life at any time of day or night. Piazza della Repubblica has been the center of the city since the Roman times, when the cardo and decumanus (the two axial streets of all towns built by the Romans) intersected marking the location of the large Roman forum. The exact point is marked by a Column called Colonna dell’Abbondanza. In medieval times, the area was very populated and the square was used as a market area from the year 1000. In the Renaissance it became the area of ​​the “old market”, since the Loggia of the New Market, or Loggia del Porcellino, was built close-by near Palazzo Vecchio and Ponte Vecchio. Not far from the old market there was also the Jewish ghetto, established in 1570 by Cosimo I, which had two synagogues. The current appearance of Piazza della Repubblica dates to the late 1800s, when major renovations were made in Florence when it became the capital of Italy. The ring road, Piazzale Michelangelo and the Rampe date back to the same period. During the renovation works, the square was enlarged and many medieval buildings were demolished including towers, churches and noble palaces; the old Florence made way to modernity. On the square elegant palaces and cafes were built transforming the area into the parlor of Florence. Here you can find places such as the Caffè delle Giubbe Rosse, where Italian artists and writers met, or the Caffè Gilli or the nearby Giacosa cafè where the Negroni cocktail was invented. Today Piazza della Repubblica is still the center of the city, a meeting point halfway between the Duomo and Signoria squares, in the heart of Florentine shopping. Do not miss the beautiful, large carousel, fun for youngsters of any age.

Palazzo Vecchio is one of the most important monuments of the city of Florence and has been the seat of its government for more than seven hundred years. The name Palazzo Vecchio (literally: old palace) was given to this building after 1565, when the court of Grand Duke Cosimo I moved to the "new" Palazzo Pitti. The palace changed its name through the centuries following its politics: it was originally called Palazzo dei Priori, then Palazzo della Signoria and finally Palazzo Ducale. It was also the seat of the Parliament of the Kingdom of Italy when Florence was the capital between 1865 and 1871, and today it is the seat of the Municipality of Florence. The construction of Palazzo Vecchio was entrusted to Arnolfo di Cambio in 1299, who built it on the ruins of pre-existing buildings by incorporating the ancient Torre della Vacca, the base of the current Torre di Arnolfo. The building we see today is the result of successive constructions and expansions that took place over the following centuries, such as the construction of the Salone dei Cinquecento (=Room of 500) at the end of the 15th century commissioned by Girolamo Savonarola. Palazzo Vecchio houses the Museum of Palazzo Vecchio which has various rooms of impressive beauty that display the history of Florence and of the Medici family who ruled the city for almost 300 years. One of the most spectacular halls is the monumental Salone dei Cinquecento: it has a length of 117 feet, a width of 75.4 feet and a height of 59 feet. The works that decorate the walls of the room are the work of Giorgio Vasari and his workshop. He received the commission from Cosimo I de’ Medici to transform the hall into a meeting room which would glorify his feats and history. At the center of the ceiling we find the Apotheosis of Cosimo I surrounded by more than 40 allegories regarding the districts of Florence and the domains of the Duchy. In addition to Vasari's works, the Salone dei Cinquecento boasts Michelangelo's famous Vittoria, one of the eight sculptures that, together with the Captives, was made for the tomb of Pope Julius II. Of particular beauty is the Studiolo of Francesco I, also created by Vasari and workshop, with walls covered with paintings, stuccos and sculptures that represent the four elements of nature (air, earth, water and fire). You can also admire the portraits of Cosimo I and his wife Eleanor of Toledo painted by Alessandro Allori. On a sunny day, you should climb the Tower of Palazzo Vecchio which, with its 311.5 feet, rises over the roofs of the city. After climbing the 223 steps you reach the last crenellated sighting level which offers a splendid panorama of Florence.