beyond art: other attractions to see in florence
TRANSCRIPT
Beyond Art Other Attractions to See
in Florence
Fun facts about Florence O The city center of Florence was declared
as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1982.
O It was ranked by Forbes as one of the most
beautiful cities in the world.
O It is considered as the birthplace of the Renaissance.
As one can expect from a city that is steeped in culture and history, almost every street and every corner boasts a historical building or a work of art. However, other than your usual tour of galleries and museums, there are still a myriad other interesting places to see and things to do in beautiful Firenze.
Florence’s Other Attractions
Here is a short list of just some of those attractions, and we’re sure that you will discover even more in
your own explorations!
San Lorenzo Food Market O The San Lorenzo Mercato Centrale is a two-
story building that was built in 1874, and serves as both a historical landmark, as well as a food-lover’s paradise.
O It is filled with stalls that sell everything you
would ever need for your own Italian kitchen with products that include fresh and preserved meats and seafood, as well as wines, breads, pasta, spices, herbs, and cheeses.
Panino con Lampredotto O Classified as street food, it is very popular
with locals, and it shouldn’t be surprising if you end up buying your share alongside the city’s workers. It is basically a sandwich with tripe (the fourth stomach of a cow) that has been boiled in broth, and then served with some local condiments and sauces.
O For a few euros, you can have a traditional,
delicious, and most importantly, filling snack!
Biblioteca delle Oblate O Formerly a monastery and hospital, this
building has since been converted into the city’s main public library.
O The library itself feature books and
magazines in Italian as well as a variety of other languages, and it also has a children’s section with comfortable seats and enough space for kids to play in.
Photo credit: Wikimedia Commons
Florence’s “Secret Bakeries” O Most establishments in Italy have set
operating hours and tend to close rather early, so looking for some place to eat at two in the morning or so can be rather problematic.
O However, whether you happened to arrive in
the city too late or too early, you’re back from a late night out, or you just really want a snack in the middle of the night, all you have to do is to walk down a street and look for the lights coming from open doors and windows.
Love Locks at Piazzale Michelangelo
O Inspired by the novel Tre Metri Sopra il Cielo
(Three Meters Above the Sky) written by Federico Moccia in 1992, sweethearts have been visiting the bridge at Piazzale Michelangelo to profess their affections for each other, as they inscribe a padlock with their initials before locking it into place on the railings, and throwing the key into the Arno River.
Oltrarno Quarter’s Artisans O A short distance away from Florence’s bustling central
quarters, Oltrarno features restaurants, cafes, tranquil gardens, squares, monuments, museums, churches, and palaces.
O However, it also serves as home to a majority of
Florence’s artisans who create beautiful pieces of merchandise that include items such as bespoke shoes and clothing, stationery, jewelry, leather goods, and mosaics of Murano glass.
O Even if you're not out to buy, feel free to peek inside their
studios and ateliers to watch the masters at work.
Photo credit: Wikimedia Commons
Traffic signs by Clet Abraham
O Every day, we tend to simply walk past road and traffic signs without a second thought, because they’re… well… everywhere.
O In Florence, however, you might want to
stop and look for a few seconds longer, as the French artist Clet Abraham has taken his brand of whimsical art to the streets, adding a touch of fun to otherwise plain installations.
Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons
Treasure Box O The city of Florence is a treasure box of
treasure boxes, where every turn at almost any hour can lead you into something fascinating and beautiful.
O So after you’re done with your museum
and gallery tours, go ahead and feel free to step out, take a deep breath, pick a direction, and just keep walking. Stop at whatever catches your fancy.
For more information
about travel to Italy,
visit our website
www.touritalynow.com
or call our travel experts
at 800.955.4418.