Firenze Duomo
The Duomo of Florence was architecturally planned under the careful eye of Arnolfo Cambio at the close of the thirteenth Century and is, without doubt, one of the city's most distinctive tourist attractions. When Cambio died in the early 14th century work on the masterpiece came to a pause. It wasn't until thirty years after that the Italian master Giotto agreed to work on the Duomo, he only managed to complete the bell-tower before his death in 1337. It was further 27 years when the old cathedral was pulled down and a new one started. This some one-hundred years after the initial plans were drawn up.
Filippo Brunelleschi was engaged to project manage the great dome (the Cupola) of the cathedral which was in fact formed by way of of two dome's, one dome can be seen in all its glory from the outside while another which can be seen from the interior of the cathedral. On the inside frescoes by Paolo Uccello the cupola. It was not until 1436, some 136 years after the project was started that the cathedral was finally completed.
Giotto's Campanile Florence, Tuscany.
Giotto’s Campanile is an single-standing bell tower that is positioned in the Piazza del Duomo of Florence. It is placed right next to the Santa Maria del Fiore and is one of the clearest examples of Florentine Gothic Architecture from the noted designer Giotto. It is 84.7 metres high and is supported by four buttresses on each corner.
Giotto never saw the Bell Tower completed, he laboured hard on the project from 1334 until his death in 1337, only seing the 1st floor finished. The marble used in the bell tower comes from Carrara (white), Prato (green) and Siena (red).
The most staggering view: Piazzale Michelanglo
Piazzale Michelangelo provides the only view for tourists coming to Florence. It has everything, the Duomo, the Ponte Vecchio and the foothills of Fiesole as a backdrop. The main plaza is approximately 100 metres squared, with the main portion used for scooters and coaches that park up to allow tourists to take in this uncommon view. In the balmy summer months the Plaza has a scattering of market stalls and traders that sell an assortment of purses and keepsakes.
If it's a clear sunny day in Florence you simply must go to Piazzale Michelangelo because there's nothing quite like it in the World, and it will leave on you a lasting feeling. There's also a coffee bar in the Piazza from which you can take in the view while enjoying a Cappuccino or cocktail.
Needless to say that wherever tourism is popular during the evening you need to be especially open-eyed against pickpockets. You'll also find a greater number of market stalls springing up as well as local creative people selling their wares. The evening view is one for happy couples, sitting out on the steps gazing down over the town, but it's really on a clear bright sunny day or towards the hours of sunset that the Piazza really glows.
Author Resource:
You can read more about Tuscany on our dedicated resource pages.
J. Marjoyson is a travel journalist for Tuscany Villas, a portal all about discovering the Tuscan lifestyle.
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