Florence is an old, picturesque town that has managed to preserve a huge cultural and historical heritage. The abundance of local attractions can amaze even the most sophisticated travelers.
One of the most splendid architectural monuments of the capital of Tuscany is the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore. It is world renowned for its unique design and chic decor. The temple was built in the XIII century, but received the final finishing only 6 centuries later. The splendor of the cathedral instantly made it the symbol of the city. To this day, tens of thousands of tourists from all over the world come to see this landmark, and the huge dome of the cathedral is visible even from an airplane.
The building is made in the best traditions of Italian Gothic by the project of the brilliant architect Arnolfo di Cambio. The centerpiece of the composition was an 8-sided dome, which was white in the initial design. But several centuries later, bright frescoes appeared on it.
The facades of the cathedral, which are faced with slabs of colored marble, which are dotted with decorative niches, are of particular splendor. The outer walls are decorated with graceful sculptures and relief medallions.
The interior spaces are not inferior to the exterior in terms of their beauty. The walls and ceilings of the cathedral are decorated with picturesque frescoes, arches, mosaics.
At the top of the temple, there is an observation deck, from where a breathtaking panorama of the historic heart of Florence opens up. This object is included in almost all excursion programs. The cathedral is bordered by Piazza Duomo, which promises a pleasant walk among the historical and architectural monuments.
Anyone interested in high art should definitely visit the Uffizi Gallery. The museum's depositories contain a huge number of unique works of painting and decorative and applied art.
Once the collection of works, like the building of the Uffizi Gallery itself, belonged to the local ruler Cosimo de Medici. The palace was built by a Florentine architect in order to amaze guests with its grandeur.
The interior rooms are of particular splendor, which are long corridors lined with paintings and sculptures. The most valuable is the painting "The Birth of Venus" by Botticelli, as well as the sculpture of Venus de Medici.