Florence Photography Walking Tour: Birth of the Renaissance

Florence, Italy

Discover Florence with a native Florentine who will teach you how to create beautiful photos in the city where the Renaissance was born. SS. Annunziata Square is considered one of the most beautiful squares of Florence with its Renaissance lines like the Ospedale degli Innocenti portico designed by Brunelleschi in the beginning of XV century. You'll visit:

• San Lorenzo church - one of the best examples of Renaissance in Florence but close to the church there is also one of the most popular markets in the town.
• The Duomo (S. Maria del Fiore) began construction in 1296 by Arnolfo di Cambio on site of the old church of S. Reparata and took 150 years to complete; the enormous dome was designed by Brunelleschi, winner of a public competition, who developed a new building method creating one of the greatest engineering results of all time which is now one of the symbols of Florence in the world.
• Republica Square marks the site of the ancient forum, the core of the original Roman settlement and, now home of Florences' most fashionable and expensive cafes like Paszkowsky and still the center of the life in the town.
• Orsanmichele has a long history: originally a grain market, became a church at the end of XIV century after the arcades were closed and two additional stories added; the statues on the exterior represent the work of many Renaissance artists.
• Signoria Square has been the central point of political life through the centuries with Palazzo Vecchio, the fortress, city hall and the huge Fountain of Neptune by Ammannati; all the statues including Michelangelo's David and the ones in the Loggia dei Lanzi makes it an outdoor gallery.
• S. Trinita Bridge was built in its elegant curves by Ammannati in XVI century, probably using Michelangelo's drawings, but was rebuilt in 1952, using again the original stones, after being destroyed during second world war.

Traveler Reviews

Review by: Lawrence A	September 2010
A unique experience. The tour focused on looking for the images that capture everyday life in Florence, and two distinct historical sites, the first orphanage in Europe and a monastery where Marconi set up the first radio station in Florence.