Via Maggio (broadest street in Florence), Florence
Via Maggio is one of the most elegant and historically layered streets in Florence, nestled in the Oltrarno district. Its roots stretch back to the Renaissance, when it was known as Via Maggiore, or 鈥淏road Street鈥濃�攁 name reflecting both its stature and literal broadness. Once a prestigious address for nobles and diplomats, it still carries an air of refinement. Grand palaces from the 15th and 16th centuries line the road, many now housing antique shops, galleries, and stylish boutiques. It's a perfect destination for anyone drawn to Florence鈥檚 artistic soul and aristocratic past.
The street truly flourished during the Medici era, especially after the court settled into the nearby Pitti Palace. Wanting to stay close to influence and wealth, Florence鈥檚 elite built sumptuous residences here. Among the most notable is the Bianca Cappello Palace, named after the Venetian noblewoman who rose from mistress to Grand Duchess as the wife of Francesco de鈥� Medici. Its fa莽ade, richly adorned with sgraffito, still catches the eye today.
Walking here feels like stepping through a living museum. Window displays often rival those in museums, showcasing everything from oil paintings to vintage furniture, marble sculptures, tapestries, and even antique weaponry. For those with a taste for the contemporary, several modern galleries add fresh energy with rotating exhibitions by both Italian and international artists.
When you鈥檙e ready to rest, you鈥檒l also find cozy caf茅s, stylish trattorias, and intimate wine bars lining the street. Sit back with a glass of Chianti or a rich espresso and let the Oltrarno atmosphere work its quiet magic.
The street truly flourished during the Medici era, especially after the court settled into the nearby Pitti Palace. Wanting to stay close to influence and wealth, Florence鈥檚 elite built sumptuous residences here. Among the most notable is the Bianca Cappello Palace, named after the Venetian noblewoman who rose from mistress to Grand Duchess as the wife of Francesco de鈥� Medici. Its fa莽ade, richly adorned with sgraffito, still catches the eye today.
Walking here feels like stepping through a living museum. Window displays often rival those in museums, showcasing everything from oil paintings to vintage furniture, marble sculptures, tapestries, and even antique weaponry. For those with a taste for the contemporary, several modern galleries add fresh energy with rotating exhibitions by both Italian and international artists.
When you鈥檙e ready to rest, you鈥檒l also find cozy caf茅s, stylish trattorias, and intimate wine bars lining the street. Sit back with a glass of Chianti or a rich espresso and let the Oltrarno atmosphere work its quiet magic.
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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Via Maggio (broadest street in Florence) on Map
Sight Name: Via Maggio (broadest street in Florence)
Sight Location: Florence, Italy (See walking tours in Florence)
Sight Type: Shopping
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Florence, Italy (See walking tours in Florence)
Sight Type: Shopping
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.
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
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
Medici Landmarks Walking Tour
The Medici family helped to establish Florence as the single most important art capital of Renaissance Europe. In order to prove wealth and power, they built numerous palaces, libraries, churches, chapels and personal residences. The Medicis were big lovers of art and they acquired huge, expensive collections, as well as supporting many sculptors and painters of the time.
Designed by... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.7 Km or 1.7 Miles
Designed by... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.7 Km or 1.7 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
Florence's Hidden Art Treasures
The 鈥淐radle of the Renaissance,鈥� Florence is one of Europe鈥檚 most beautiful and busiest destinations, home to some of the world's greatest pieces of art and architecture. The iconic masters like Giotto, Botticelli, Raphael and Michelangelo, as well as their somewhat less-known but equally talented counterparts, such as Ghirlandaio, Sangallo and Castagno, have blessed this city with... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.2 Km or 2 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.2 Km or 2 Miles
In Galileo's Footsteps
Galileo Galilei鈥攂orn in Pisa in 1564鈥攕pent much of his life in and around Florence, where some of the most defining moments of his revolutionary career unfolded. A genius of many talents鈥攑hysicist, mathematician, astronomer, inventor鈥攈e helped usher in the scientific revolution and reshape humanity鈥檚 understanding of the universe. Florence, the cradle of the Renaissance, became a... view more
Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 8.0 Km or 5 Miles
Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 8.0 Km or 5 Miles
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