Florence’s Iconic Art Galleries- The Ones You Must Visit

Florence (capital of Italy’s Tuscany region) situated at the heart of the Italian Rennaisance, is historically known as a hub of Art and Religion. Its High Renaissance movement has left a timeless imprint on this magnificent city which houses some of the greatest artistic treasures in the world. Let’s overview some of Florence’s iconic art galleries

Uffizi Gallery

Uffizi Gallery is undoubtedly one of the world’s finest and oldest art galleries, established in 1581 since the time of Leonardo. It was designed by Vasari, architect, and author of Lives of the Artists. The gallery is still home to an almost unparalleled collection of masterpieces and is considered one of the most important Italian museums in the world. The building itself is a marvel and the inner courtyard features a series of intricate columns which is organized as a long labyrinth of rooms with amazing works of art displayed.

Galleria dell Accademia

Galleria dell Accademia is one of the best museums in Florence which is located in close proximity to the Piazza del Duomo and the Basilica di San Lorenzo. Every year, the museum is assaulted by thousands and thousands of tourists and is the second most visited museum in Florence (the first being the Uffizi Gallery). The Gallery contains some masterpieces of Renaissance art including the original Michelangelo’s David sculpture. The museum is surprisingly small compared to other famous museums in Italy but does not fail to impress the tourists.

Palazzo Vecchio

Palazzo Vecchio is now an art museum that was originally built in 1299 by the same architects that worked on the Duomo and the church of Santa Croce. The building almost looks like a castle with a square design and a number of crenulations and a large bell tower. The courtyard has a series of stuccoes and frescoes, where you would be able to see the replica of Michelangelo’s David. The largest and most artistically important room on the property, originally decorated by Michelangelo and Leonardo is Salone dei Cinquecento (the Hall of the Five Hundred) located on the first floor.

Tip – Make sure you climb the tower during your visit where you will be able to see the prison cells where the famous Savonarola was kept.

Museo dell’Opera del Duomo

The Opera del Duomo, also known as the “OPA”, is the Cathedral Workshop where you would be able to discover masterpieces of Arnolfo, Ghiberti, Donatello, Luca Della Robbia, Antonio Pollaiolo, Verrocchio, Michelangelo. It has over 750 works of art covering 720 years of history and consists of twenty-five rooms on three floors comprising a partial renewal of the museum and several exhibition halls. The Duomo has a panoramic terrace that offers a truly remarkable and unfamiliar view of Brunelleschi’s dome.

Florence’s art galleries should be visited during your visit to Florence. This city known for its art, culture, and history, can be found blended in these galleries. It is always important to prioritize some of the key highlights during a trip. So, whenever you are ready, book your perfect Italy holiday packages with Pickyourtrail!