This magnificent square is perched high on a hillside overlooking Florence and offers visitors breathtaking views of the city. From here you can to see the Ponte Vecchio, the Santa Maria del Fiore and the Uffizi. A replica of Michelangelo's statute of David stands in the middle of the square. This marble sculpture portrays the biblical figure David as he is about to attack the giant Goliath. You'll also see the four statues intended for the tombs Giuliano and Lorenzo Medici: Night, Day, Dawn and Twilight. [Read more]

The Duomo (Florence Cathedral) is the central point of Florence, and is Europe's fourth largest cathedral. The cathedral is notable for its dome and is definitely worth a visit. In order to built a dome of this size without using the scaffolding normally required, Brunelleschi (1377-1446) designed an ingenious structure. The dome actually consists of two layers, an inner dome and an outer shell. Tie rings of oak timber joined by metal connectors help stabilise the construction. Small flights of steps lead you through the first dome up to the highest point, from where there's a spectacular view over the city. [Read more]

The impressive crypt of the influential Medicis at San Lorenzo Basilica. The most important part is the Cappella dei Principi, which lies behind the church. The famous mausoleums which now stand opposite each other against the left and right walls of the Sagrestia Nuova (New Sacristy) belong to Lorenzo, the Duke of Urbino (left) and Giuliano, the Duke of Nemours (right). The sculptures of the two above the sarcophagi are idealized images. The story goes that Michelangelo, when reproached that the sculptures didn't look like the deceased, said 'In a thousand years, who'll still care what they looked like?' Things can change! [Read more]