Florence attractions and monuments. Directory of Florence attractions.

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Monuments in Florence

Forte di Belvedere

Forte di Belvedere , by Giammario

Forte di Belvedere
Address: Costa San Giorgio Phone: +39 055 23 320

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The Forte di Belvedere, or Fortezza di Santa Maria in San Giorgio del Belvedere (often called simply Belvedere), is a fortification in Florence, Italy. It was built by Grand Duke Ferdinando I de' Medici during the period 1590–1595 with Bernardo Buontalenti as the designer, and was designed to protect the city and the Medici rule. In particular, it was used to hold the Medici treasury.

Giotto's Bell Tower (Campanile di Giotto)

Giotto's Bell Tower (Campanile di Giotto) , by Ken Schwarz

Giotto's Bell Tower (Campanile di Giotto)
Address: Piazza del Duomo Phone: +39 055 2885

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A 14th-century work of the legendary Florentian, this bell tower was still incomplete when Giotto died in 1337. It was Andrea Pisano who continued to work on the project, enhancing the walls and supplementing the structure with a number of statues. Working in the style of the Pisan Gothic school, he introduced several alterations to the original building plan before being replaced by Francesco Talenti, the artist who completed the project in 1359. Of the many sculptures on display here, the most significant are those by Andrea Pisano and Donatello. There are also several copies introduced, with the originals being installed in Museo dell'Opera del Duomo. The vista of Florence that awaits you at the top is worth the climb.

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Spedale degli Innocenti
Address: Piazza Santissima Annunziata 12 Phone: +39 055 20371 e-mail: info@istitutodeglinnocenti.it
Website: http://www.istitutodeglinnocenti.it
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A former orphanage, the Hospital of the Innocents is a 15th-century building by Filippo Brunelleschi, often referred to as a classic example of early Renaissance architecture. The orphanage was commissioned by the silk guild of Florence, which was well-known for its generosity. Those who wished to abandon their children simply left them in a certain basin which used to stand at the front portico, and the babies were later picked up by the orphanage officials. Later the basin was replaced by a rotating door, through which the baby was being immediately taken inside and the parent could remain anonymous.

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Porta Romana
Address: Piazzale di Porta Romana

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Part of the city's 14th-century derelict defence walls, the counterpart of Porta San Frediano has had only its gigantic wooden doors saved. Enjoying an ambient setting near a piazza and facing the Poggio Imperiale, the Porta is also near to a cutting-edge statue by Michelangelo Pistoletto.

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Loggia del Bigallo
Address: Piazza San Giovanni 1

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Presumably the work of Alberto Arnoldi, this loggia was erected in the latter half of the 14th Century to shelter lost children and orphans. In 1425, the site became the Compagnia di Santa Maria del Bigallo, an institution taking care of travellers. Set on Piazza San Giovanni, the building displays two well-preserved bas-reliefs depicting angels, allegorical figures and Christ. Of the interior, the most significant portions are the tabernacles by Filippo di Cristofano, the 15th-century statues of 'Madonna and Child', 'Saint Lucy' and 'Saint Peter', as well as the tiny collections of memorabilia related to Compagnia del Bigallo.