Top 5: Public Displays of Art in Florence

Florence is known to hold some of the world’s greatest works of art. From Michelangelo’s “David” statue to every inch of the Uffizi Gallery, art lovers flock to the capital city of the region of Tuscany to spy works by history’s most renowned painters, sculptors and architects. If you’re not willing to shell out dozens of euros to visit some of the galleries, museums and institutions, here are a few ways to get in touch with Florence’s art from the comfort of the city’s sidewalks.

Uffizi Gallery

Yes, this list is meant to highlight ways to view art for free, but just passing through the gorgeous square outside the Uffizi Gallery certainly counts as an artistic venture. Grand archways are flanked by statues of famous Italians, including Amerigo Vespucci, the explorer for which America is supposedly named.

Cathedral de Santa Maria del Fiore

It’s hard to stroll around Florence and not catch sight of this medieval cathedral’s massive dome and adjoining bell tower. The Piazza del Duomo surrounds the church, providing photography opportunities from nearly every angle.

Ponte Vecchio

This medieval bridge is a photographer’s dream. Bordered on each side with quaint jewelry and souvenir shops with entrances along the interior, the exterior appears as though houses are stacked along the bridge’s edges.

Piazza della Signoria

The closest you can get to an outdoor gallery is this square, just a few blocks from the Uffizi Gallery and the Arno River. Resting in the shadows of the Palazzo Vecchio, the plaza is home to a replica of Michelangelo’s “David” and the central Neptune’s Fountain.

Basilica di Santa Croce di Firenze

For more architectural art, this Franciscan church is the largest of its kind in the world. Comprised of 16 chapels, the basilica is the burial place of Michelangelo, Machiavelli and Galileo.