Things to do in Castello

As you make your way over the Ponte Vecchio, peer into the windows of the goldsmith stores that have been here since the 16th century. Enjoy a sweeping view down the banks of the Arno from the viewing balconies in the center of the bridge. Street performers, artists and tourists create a lively atmosphere during the day. When the shutters come down over the shops in the evenings, the bridge takes on a romantic ambiance, perfect for a romantic stroll.

Join the bustling crowds, vendors and street performers in the cultural and geographical heart of Florence, the Piazza del Duomo. The cathedral for which the square is named is a spectacular centerpiece. In its shadow you will find several other historical, artistic and architectural treasures.

Take a seat at an outside table in one of the Piazza della Signoria’s many cafés and restaurants. Watch the crowds jostle as they have for over seven centuries in the town’s political and civic center. Flamboyant street performers, milling tourists and busy locals move about this L-shaped town square in front of some of Florence’s most famous buildings.

Names of the masters exhibited within the U-shaped Uffizi building read like a who’s who of Renaissance art. Find seminal works by Botticelli, da Vinci, Raphael and Rembrandt in a collection that spans six centuries. The Uffizi Gallery (Galleria degli Uffizi) is unique in that it contains only masterpieces. It’s considered by many to have the most important collection of Western art in the world.

The Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore is also known as the Duomo, which is an Italian term for cathedral. Dominating the Florence skyline is the Duomo’s magnificent dome, considered by many to be the most important architectural achievement of the Renaissance. Inside the cathedral, you’ll find stained-glass windows and frescoes by Italian masters, and one of the oldest examples of an hora italica clock in the world. For many, the most impressive part of a visit is a close-up view of the building itself.

Discover a wealth of art within the vast, fortress-like walls of the Pitti Palace (Palazzo Pitti). The Gallery of Modern Art holds important Italian pieces from the 18th to early 20th centuries, while the Silver and Carriages museums offer glimpses into the lifestyle of Florence’s longest-ruling family. The Palatine houses a collection of masterpieces second only to the Uffizi’s. The core of the building was constructed in 1458 for wealthy banker Luca Pitti, and sold to the Medicis in 1549. It was opened to the public in 1919.