24/01/2026
Florence -- a very popular and one of the most beautiful cities in Italy, ( for its artistic and architectural heritage, Forbes ranked it as one of the most beautiful cities in the world in 2010.) home to the magnificent Michelangelo sculptures including the mesmerizing ' David '.
A day's visit to the city about a decade back did not do justice to the city with its lovely museums , art galleries ( Uffizi , Palazzo Pitti ) and sculptures .
It requires particularly a stay of at least three to four days ( as summarized by a tourist we met then ) leaving a day only to shop leather products, be they clutches handbags, backpacks garments etc. which are available at a very reasonable prices here.
Located about 275 kms northwest of Rome, UNESCO declared the Historic Centre of Florence a World Heritage Site in 1982.
The Duomo, Roman Catholic church in Florence, was very very magnificent ( so huge could accommodate 30,000 worshippers )and awe-inspiring with its stained-glass windows, its ornate green, red, and white marble facade; its collection of paintings and especially its dome, designed by Filippo Brunelleschi (1420–36).
Walk on Ponte Vecchio was very interesting particularly for its antiquity and numerous shops since times immemorial.
Apparently built by the Romans the Ponte Vecchio, or Old Bridge, was the only bridge across the Arno river in Florence until 1218. The current bridge was rebuilt after a flood in 1345. ( it was not destroyed during World War II )
The famous pictures of the Florence city skyline – are from Piazzale Michelangelo. Built in 1869 in honour of Michelangelo, where you have copies of his famous sculptures put up.
It is on this hill that he used to sit and contemplate watching the Arno river flowing below.
Need to visit again with more time to soak in all this beauty of Florence .