Piazza dell’Anfiteatro

It stands in the exact place where the ancient Roman amphitheater, dating back to the 2nd century AD, once stood. and of which the square still retains the traditional elliptical shape. During the Middle Ages, Piazza dell’Anfiteatro was the privileged meeting point of the Lucca society. Here, in fact, citizens’ meetings took place systematically. Today the square remains a very central meeting point, with many shops and bars created inside ancient premises. Piazza dell’Anfiteatro is accessed through four arches placed in different points.

Piazza Napoleone

Its origins date back to 1806, when, with the city invaded by Napoleonic troops, it was built at the behest of Elisa Bonaparte Baciocchi, sister of the French emperor Napoleon Bonaparte. The square was dedicated to Napoleon and a statue erected in the center of it was dedicated. However, the monument that more than any other distinguishes Piazza Napoleone is the splendid Palazzo Ducale. Built in the 15th century, an enormous personal residence of Castruccio Castracani, an ancient lord of the city.

Piazza San Martino

The square opens in front of the asymmetrical facade of the thirteenth-century Cathedral of San Martino, which with its deep portico, the whiteness of the marbles and the inlays of the columns, create a unique scenographic effect. However, this square-churchyard is not proposed as a closed space, but as the introduction to a succession of other spaces that open on the sides and behind the apse of the church, so as to make it the fulcrum of an original, lively environment urban.

Piazza San Michele

Built at the end of the 11th century, the Church of San Michele stands in the center of the homonymous square, in the heart of the city of Lucca, and more precisely in the place where the ancient Roman Forum of the city once stood. Also for this reason the church is often identified with the name of San Michele in Foro. The architectural structure is typical of a Pisan Romanesque style church, with a Latin cross plan and an internal structure composed of three naves, on the external facade at the top is the statue of the Archangel Michael.

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The famous Leaning tower of Pisa

Nonetheless referring to the Leaning Tower most people worldwide have in mind the incredible lines of the ‘Torre pendente’ of Pisa. Tourists flock to the informally named ‘Piazza dei Miracoli’ (Miracles Square) to admire the medieval masterpiece and possibly to take the ritual picture propping up the tower; some of them bravely take on the 296 steps to climb the tower and finally enjoy the fabulous view from the top. One of the recurring questions asked by the visitors was: is it unintentionally tilting or was it designed to be leaning? In general we don’t have much information about its construction but we know for sure was a mistake, a very lucky mistake. What is even more surprising and what the majority of tourists ignore is that the ‘Torre pendente’ isn’t the only leaning tower of Pisa! Actually the soil consisting mostly of sand and clay is the cause of inclination of another two bell towers.

The leaning tower of San Nicola Church

Specially famous for the Fibonacci sequence which is one of the most famous formulas in mathematics, the church of San Nicola is located in via Santa Maria. The original octagonal bell tower, the most characteristic of the city after the Leaning Tower, dates back to the second half of the 13th century and is slightly inclined and buried with respect to the current floor.

The leaning tower of San Michele degli Scalzi Church

The church of San Michele degli Scalzi is instead located in the homonymous square in the east of the city. The typical square-based bell tower is in stone in the lower part, while in the upper part it is in brick. The facade is decorated with Islamic ceramic basins from the 12th century. Placed on the side facing the Arno river, it leans strongly with a slope of 5% (more than the famous leaning Tower of Pisa).

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The city of Florence presents a large number of monuments and museums to visit and for
to be able to see everything it would be necessary to have at least 1 week time available
also and especially if we consider the long queues that often have to be done for
to be able to visit the splendid works of art contained in them.
However, it is possible to enjoy the wonders of one of the most beautiful cities in the world, even if yes
has only one day available, obviously it will be necessary to avoid entering the museums, but
we assure you that the monuments can be visited simply by walking or standing
comfortably seated in the car are fantastic and will make you fully enjoy the
flavor of Florence and Tuscany.
It is often enough to rely on the right organization and everything will be easier.
If you have arrived in Italy with a cruise or if you have the time just for a short ride
Florence here are the main attractions you can see in one day.

1. Florence Cathedral with its baptistery and Giotto’s tower
2. Piazza della Signoria
3. Palazzo Vecchio
4. Basilica of Santa Maria Novella
5. Piazza Michelangelo

1. Florence Cathedral with its baptistery and Giotto’s tower

Go directly to the Piazza del Duomo which is the symbol and the heart of the city. The exterior is already from
wonderful with its façade is in precious Carrara biano marble and other green and polychrome marbles
red and is in contrast to the dome that was built by Brunelleschi whose tiles are instead of
bright red.
The bell tower of the Duomo was built by Giotto starting from 1334 and is another 85 mt.
It represents one of the symbols of the city of Florence with its red and green white polychrome marbles
they cover the sides and the niches that contain statues and sacred representations.
If the line is not a lot, there is the time to get on top (you walk and I climb 414 steps) but the view
which you can enjoy is incomparable and you will have a clear idea of ​​the beauty of Florence.
The Baptistery represents the place where Christians are baptized and is part of the complex of the
Duomo. It has an octagonal plan and is completely covered with white Carrara marble and green
of Prato.

2. Piazza della Signoria

You can reach Piazza Della Signoria which has been the heart of the city for centuries
administrative political center. It houses monumental buildings such as Palazzo Vecchio, the Loggia del Lanzi,
the Fountain of Neptune by Ammannati and a copy of Michelangelo’s David as well as the Uffizi.
Leaving aside the Uffizzi, here you dive fully into the Italian Renaissance by making it easy
beautiful walk between the monuments and in particular: Michelangelo’s David which is from
always considered the ideal of male beauty in art like the Botticelli Venus for the
women. It is preserved in the Galleria dell’Accademia but until 1893 it was located in Piazza della Signoria.
The sculpture was made of marble by Michelangelo Buonarroti and is an absolute masterpiece, it is high
5.17 meters and represents David, the biblical hero, before facing Goliath. Palazzo Vecchio is the headquarters
of the City of Florence but it has been since 1299 year of its construction the seat of the city government e
of the Duchy of Florence until 1565. Do not miss the Tower whose shape is particular and suggestive not
being in the center of the building but moved south.

3. Ponte Vecchio

From Piazza della Signoria, continuing towards the Arno river, you reach Ponte Vecchio, which is one of the symbols of
Florence and was built in 1345. Walking you will cross the bridge that is currently completely
occupied by goldsmiths’ shops.
Above the shops the Vasari corridor was built by architect Giorgio Vasari to allow the
Gradunca Cosimo De Medici to reach the administrative headquarters of the city in Piazza della Signoria from his
private residence Palazzo Pitti. The bridge is open in a single point from there you can take some great photos
of the city and the river, fully grasping the immortal band.

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