Cultural walk in the heart of Tuscany

Nestled deep in the heart of Tuscany, Florence is the place where you can “meet” true Italian culture as we have already done with Valentina. 

It was an evening walk and we started it from the Santa Croce Church. Its 16 chapels, amazing detail and illustrious tombs (burial place of Florence’s citizens such as Michelangelo, Galileo, and Machiavelli) made this 14th century church the spot where your breath was taken.

Then we went to the Michelangelo square or Piazzale Michelangelo. It was designed by Giuseppe Poggi in 1860 as a large partially pedestrianized square located in the Oltrano district, on the South bank of Arno river. This spot with tree-lined paths and gardens offers marvelous panoramic views of the entire city. Then we relaxed with such an amazing view in a tasty restaurant not far from here with friendly talks while drinking a few glasses of wine.

Next day we went to one park that showcases some of Florence’s best outdoor sculptures and fountains – Boboli Gardens (situated behind the Palazzo Pitti). The gardens were created by the Medici family in the 16th century, and feature outdoor artwork from the 16th to 18th Centuries.

Wanted to add a little bit of “politics” in our cultural trip, we went to the Palazzo Vecchio where it was placed Florence’s supreme governing body for six straight centuries. Having rich ties to the Medici family it has been at the center of Florence’s political proceedings since its creation in 1299 and it’s currently an active town hall of Florence.

We finished our 2 days tour by visiting the Santa Maria del Fiore. It features over 600 years of stunning architectural detail (its beautiful red, green, and white marble to its brilliant stained-glass windows) and works of art. The Duomo (or the Santa Maria del Fiore) is truly a must-visit monument when spending your time in Florence. This area is extremely crowded as usual but visiting it is definitely well worth it.