Piazzale Michelangelo (Michelangelo Square), Florence (must see)
Florence is undebiably a stunning city, and this hilltop terrace proves it beyond question. Perched just south of the Arno River, the spacious overlook is lined with souvenir stalls and draws crowds for its panoramas of the city鈥檚 red-tiled rooftops. From here, you鈥檒l spot the majestic Cathedral and its dome, along with the Giotto Bell Tower and Old Palace鈥攁 postcard-perfect scene has been captured thousands of times. But there鈥檚 more to take in. Scan the horizon and you鈥檒l also spot Fort Belvedere, the Holy Cross Basilica, and the timelessly charming Old Bridge.
The square was laid out in 1869, during a period of major urban development known as the 鈥淩isanamento,鈥� when Florence briefly served as Italy鈥檚 capital. As the name suggests, it was meant to honor Michelangelo, and features bronze copies of his most famous works鈥斺�淒avid鈥�, along with the four allegorical figures from the Medici Chapel. While the originals are in marble, these replicas were hauled up the hill by nine pairs of oxen鈥攏o small feat, especially on a warm Tuscan day.
As evening sets in, the square becomes a magnet for sunset seekers. Find a comfortable spot, sip a glass of wine, and watch the sun paint the city in golden tones. You can bring your own bottle or choose one of the nearby caf茅s and restaurants. The most famous one here is housed in a lovely Neoclassical building, and surprisingly, the prices are pretty fair for such a prime location.
Halfway up the main staircase, you鈥檒l also find the charming rose garden鈥攁 peaceful hideaway filled with greenery and floral scents, with views of the city peeking through the trees.
Tip: Sunny days can get quite hot up here, so be sure to pack a hat or something to shield yourself from the sun.
The square was laid out in 1869, during a period of major urban development known as the 鈥淩isanamento,鈥� when Florence briefly served as Italy鈥檚 capital. As the name suggests, it was meant to honor Michelangelo, and features bronze copies of his most famous works鈥斺�淒avid鈥�, along with the four allegorical figures from the Medici Chapel. While the originals are in marble, these replicas were hauled up the hill by nine pairs of oxen鈥攏o small feat, especially on a warm Tuscan day.
As evening sets in, the square becomes a magnet for sunset seekers. Find a comfortable spot, sip a glass of wine, and watch the sun paint the city in golden tones. You can bring your own bottle or choose one of the nearby caf茅s and restaurants. The most famous one here is housed in a lovely Neoclassical building, and surprisingly, the prices are pretty fair for such a prime location.
Halfway up the main staircase, you鈥檒l also find the charming rose garden鈥攁 peaceful hideaway filled with greenery and floral scents, with views of the city peeking through the trees.
Tip: Sunny days can get quite hot up here, so be sure to pack a hat or something to shield yourself from the sun.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Florence. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "911爆料网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
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Piazzale Michelangelo (Michelangelo Square) on Map
Sight Name: Piazzale Michelangelo (Michelangelo Square)
Sight Location: Florence, Italy (See walking tours in Florence)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Florence, Italy (See walking tours in Florence)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Florence, Italy
Create Your Own Walk in Florence
Creating your own self-guided walk in Florence is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Florence Introduction Walking Tour
Florence was founded in 59 BC by Julius Caesar as a settlement for his veteran soldiers. Laid out like a Roman military camp, its main roads intersected at what is now the Republic Square. Originally named Fluentia, referencing its location between two rivers, the city later adopted the name Florentia, meaning 鈥渇lowering鈥� or 鈥渇lourishing鈥�.
And flourish it did. During the Middle Ages and... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.1 Km or 2.5 Miles
And flourish it did. During the Middle Ages and... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.1 Km or 2.5 Miles
Michelangelo's Masterpieces Walking Tour
Though born in the small Tuscan town of Caprese, Michelangelo spent over two decades of his life in Florence鈥攖he heart of the Renaissance. It was here that he grew up, was educated, and began shaping his artistic voice, eventually creating some of the most iconic masterpieces the city has ever known.
His larger-than-life work鈥斺�淒avid鈥濃�攄idn鈥檛 just reshape the image of biblical... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.0 Km or 2.5 Miles
His larger-than-life work鈥斺�淒avid鈥濃�攄idn鈥檛 just reshape the image of biblical... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.0 Km or 2.5 Miles
Arno South Bank Walking Tour
The area south of the Arno River鈥攌nown as Oltrarno, or 鈥淏eyond the Arno鈥濃�攐ffers a quieter, more intimate side of Florence, but one that鈥檚 no less captivating. It鈥檚 here that you鈥檒l find the grand Pitti Palace, home to a painting collection rivaled only by the Uffizi Gallery, and the expansive Boboli Gardens, once the private domain of the Medici and later, the royal family. As one of... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.4 Km or 1.5 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.4 Km or 1.5 Miles
Dante's Florence Walking Tour
Dante Alighieri was arguably the greatest 鈥� albeit also most controversial 鈥� of Italy's poets. After having served as one of the six priors governing Florence, his political activities 鈥� including the banishing of several rivals 鈥� led to his own banishment, upon which he wrote his masterpiece, 鈥淭he Divine Comedy鈥�, as a wanderer, seeking protection for his family in one town after... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.1 Km or 1.3 Miles
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.1 Km or 1.3 Miles
Duomo Walking Tour
Right in the heart of historic Florence lies the Duomo district鈥攖he city's religious and civic core, and one of the most remarkable places in all of Italy. Between the Duomo and Signoria squares, Florence unfolds in layers of art, history, and architectural brilliance, offering a never-ending stream of things to see, do, and admire.
At the center of it all stands the Florence Cathedral,... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.3 Km or 1.4 Miles
At the center of it all stands the Florence Cathedral,... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.3 Km or 1.4 Miles
Florence Food Tour
Food is one of the great Florentine passions, and the great thing about having a delicious authentic Tuscan meal, a snack, delicatessen, or a quality gelato here 鈥� besides the abundant variety 鈥� is not having to spend a lot of money for it.
In general, the 鈥渙sterias鈥� and the eateries nestled in Sant鈥橝mbrogio Market will offer cheaper and more casual food with an emphasis on home... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.6 Km or 1.6 Miles
In general, the 鈥渙sterias鈥� and the eateries nestled in Sant鈥橝mbrogio Market will offer cheaper and more casual food with an emphasis on home... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.6 Km or 1.6 Miles
Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip
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