1st  CULTURAL  ITINERARY

Starting Point : Hotel Ville sull’Arno

Take the Bus n. 14, in via Lanza, direction Duomo. After about 15 min. get off at the stop in via de’Martelli. The Duomo square is in front of you.

• 1st stop – Santa Maria del Fiore Cathedral. Consecreted to Holy Mary, meaning that the “fiore” (flower) is Jesus Christ, blossomed on the stalk  (Holy Mary).
  It is the Cathedral of Florence, designed by Arnolfo da Cambio in 1296, while the bell tower was designed by Giotto. The adjacent baptistery, the Battistero di San Giovanni, is worthy a visit.
  You can proceed to via Calzaiuoli for a very pleasant shopping session!
  
  
• 2nd stop – Reach Piazza della Signoria, where Palazzo Vecchio is among the most impressive town hall of Tuscany.
  It was the residence of the Dukes of Florence until the Medici family decided to move across the river Arno to Palazzo Pitti.
  Today it is the Town Hall of Florence and it is possible to visit it.
  The square is overlooked by the Loggia dei Lanzi, or of Orcagna, built between 1376 and 1382 to house the assemblies of the people and hold public ceremonies. During Cosimo I’s reign it was used to house the Duke’s Lasquenets of German mercenary troups from whom it took its name.
  Under the Loggia we can admire a series of classical and Manierist sculptures; above all the Perseus with the head of the Medusa, the extraordinary masterpiece by Benvenuto Cellini.
  In the square there is also a copy of David; the original by Michelangelo is being kept at the Gallery of Academy of Fine Arts.
  
  
• 3rd stop -. Behind the Loggia dei Lanzi you can find the Uffizi Gallery. This is one of the most famous museums of paintings and sculptures in the world and it is visited by thousands of tourists.
  In high season, june, july, august, it is advisable to reserve a ticket in advance so to avoid long waits.
  A peculiar piece of art is the Vasari Corridor, the raised passageway connecting the Uffizi with the Pitti Palace.
  It was built by Vasari in 1565 under commission of the Duke Cosimo I° de’Medici.
  It begins at Palazzo Vecchio, passes over via della Ninna and enters the Uffizi at the last floor. At the exit from the Uffizi, it runs on the Lungarno and curves on Ponte Vecchio. After Ponte Vecchio, the Corridor passes over the Loggiato of Santa Felicita Church, then around the Mannelli’s Tower and ends at Palazzo Pitti.
  It can be visited only upon reservation.
  
  
• 4th stop – When arrived at the River Arno, turn right for few meters and then left to Ponte Vecchio, one of Florence symbols. It crosses the River Arno at its narrowest point.
  Noted for having shops built along it, it dates back to the roman age. Butchers and fishmongers initially occupied the shops but, since 1593 by order of the Duke Ferdinando de’ Medici, the tenants of the shops became the jewellers, the art dealers and the souvenir sellers.
  
  
• 5th stop – After the visit to Ponte Vecchio, get back to via Por Santa Maria, arriving at the Loggia del Mercato Nuovo or Loggia del Porcellino (piglet). In actual fact, it is not a piglet but a wild boar which was sculpted by Pietro Tacca in 1612, who copied it from a Greek marble original, now on display in the Uffizi.
  Touching the piglet nose and putting a coin in its mouth brings you good luck.
  Beneath the Loggia, many stalls are selling leather items (jackets, bags etc.). scarves, gloves and hats.
  
  
• 6th stop – Walk along via Calimala up to Repubblica square, where you can stop for a rest in one of its elegant cafés and have something to drink and eat.
  Walking along via Roma you reach Duomo square.

The bus n. 14 stop to go back to the Hotel is at the left side of the Cathedral. Get off  in via Sella at the stop “Ville sull’Arno”. At the first cross, turn right and walk few meters until you reach the Lungarno Colombo. The Hotel is in front of you.