We walked through the Piazza della Signoria several times while staying in Florence. It's both a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site and a central part of everyday Florentine life for both residents and tourists. The square is large and vibrant, stacked with priceless statues and the giant Neptune Fountain. Michelangelo's David lived in the piazza for centuries before moving indoors to the Galleria dell'Accademia, and you can see a smaller replica on the original site. The piazza surrounds the Palazzo Vecchio, its physical and spiritual centerpiece. The building is cool and distinctive, topped by a crenellated tower. It's Florence's town hall, and the piazza the city's town square. You don't have to try very hard to see the Piazza della Signoria. I'm actually not sure we ever went on purpose. Make sure not to miss it, though, if you're a tourist visiting Florence. It's an amazing place, essential to the city's history. read more

Soooo fun! It's an amazing place. So much art and talent. It's beautiful and it's such a good feeling to stand in the middle of so much art and talent. read more

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This piazza is a great place to check out some cool sculptures if you're not in the mood to pay an entrance fee or go inside of a building. We walked through multiple times and saw a new thing each time we came through so the whole place is pretty fun to visit. There is a lot of space to hang out and/or sightsee. There are also a lot of restaurants that you can sit at and enjoy the square that way. It will always be pretty busy, no matter the time of day, but it was pretty manageable for us, even given that it was mid June when we went. read more

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If you visit Florence, you will wind up in the Piazza della Signoria. The square is home to the Palazzo Vecchio - former seat of Florence's government and now a museum, plus so much more. The piazza is filled with sculptures by the greatest artists of the Renaissance located in the Loggia dei Lanza. As you approach the loggia, you're greeted by two huge marble lions, referred to as the Medici lions, each with their paw on a sphere. One lion dates from ancient Rome. The other was sculpted in 1598 by Flaminio Vacca. It was originally in the Villa Medici in Rome before being moved to the loggia. You can't miss the Fountain of Neptune that was commissioned to celebrate a Medici marriage. It is a colossal statue of Neptune, the Roman god of the sea and the counterpart of the Greek god Poseidon. The commission was given to a student of Michelangelo's, Amanatti. See if you can locate the circular plaque near the Palazzo Vecchio's entrance that marks the spot of Savonarola's execution. The Equestrian Monument of Cosimo I by Giambologna from 1587-94 is stunning. This statue honors Cosimo I in the tradition of showing powerful rulers on horseback. Under the horse are reliefs that depict scenes from life of Cosimo I. It was commissioned by Cosimo's son in 1594. The Piazza della Signoria is not only the most exquisite square, but it is also the liveliest place in Florence. read more

We enjoyed finding Michaelangelo's Graffiti portrait on the front wall of the Palazzo Vecchio building in Piazza della Signoria. The Piazza can get crowded with wall to wall tourists waiting to see some of Michaelangelos most famous works of art, but there is no waiting to see his secret etching on the brick on the Palazzo Vecchio building behind the statue of Hercules and Cacus. As the story goes, Michelangelo was bored by a man who wouldn't stop talking to him so he started etching his likeness into the wall. As this Artwork it is relatively unknown, it's easily viewed by the public and at no charge. #hiddengem read more

Piazza della Signoria - Statue of Hercules & Cacus - Public Plazas Near Me - Florence, FI

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I enjoyed wandering through the Piazza, amazed to see such beautiful sculptures. This is a wonderful place to sit and enjoy lunch al fresco as there are many cafes and restaurants here. Piazza della Signoria the political center of Florence since the 14th century, when houses of prominent families had to make way for the new square. It's been the center for ceremonial events, rallies, and festivals ever since, and here, you'll find several iconic Florence tourist attractions: Palazzo Vecchio, the Neptune Fountain, the Uffizi Gallery, the Loggia dei Lanzi, and copies of statues by Michelangelo and Donatello. read more

Piazza della Signoria - Public Plazas Near Me - Florence, FI

This is one of the busiest places in Florence, with its outdoor sculptures. Check out the statue of Neptune and copy of Michelangelo's David. The Uffizi gallery is also located here in this prestigious area. Great weather and an excellent tour guide made this place most impressive to us. Look up the Medici family, a prominent clan during the Renaissance period before going here. read more

it is one of the busiest and most influential places in Florence. The Piazza Della Signoria has been the center of political life in Florence since the 14th century with the prominent Palazzo Vecchio overlooking the square. The square is really beautiful owing to the aesthetic structures that the plaza holds. It is here that tourists can visit remarkable places like the Palazzo Vecchio, Loggia dei Lanzi ( this is sort of Open Museum/Gallery, yup no ticket), Uffizi Gallery, the Fountain of Neptune, Hercules and Cacus as well as Perseus with the Head of Medusa. David (the original is in the Galleria dell'Accademia) by Michelangelo was placed outside the Palazzo Vecchio as a symbol of the Republic's defiance. I think the Piazza della Signoria is also filled with its (more than) fair share of sculptures. Duomo is the other square but it does not have open space like this piazza. This place is a favorite meeting place filled with tourists and locals. read more

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Piazza della Signoria is an iconic Florentine square, historically the center of Florence since the 14th century. Every visitor to Florence should make it a point for at least a short visit here. It was an oppressively hot mid September day when we arrived at the Piazza. Amazing. Something gorgeous is everywhere you look: the Palazzo Vecchio still dominating the square as it has for the last 700 years. Replica copies of David and the gallery of statues in the open air museum of the Loggia dei Lanzi. We caught a bit of shade and lunched amidst the Loggia dei Lanzi statuary, soaking it all in. The only downside is that, as seems everywhere in Florence, you are surrounded and packed in with hundreds of other tourists. Nighttime or early-morning is best to beat the crowds. read more

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Piazza della Signoria is an L-shaped square in front of the Palazzo Vecchio in Florence. It was named after the Palazzo della Signoria, also called Palazzo Vecchio. It is the main point of the origin and history of the Florence Republic and still maintains its reputation as the political focus of the city. It is the meeting place of Florentines as well as the numerous tourists, located near Palazzo Vecchio and gateway to Uffizi Gallery. The Uffizi Gallery is a prominent art museum located adjacent to the Piazza Della Signoria in Florence. One of the most important Italian museums and the most visited, it is also one of the largest and best known in the world and holds a collection of priceless works, particularly from the period of the italian Renaissance. After the ruling house of Medici died out, their art collections were gifted to the city of Florence. The Uffizi is one of the first modern museums. The gallery had been open to visitors by request since the sixteenth century, and in 1765 it was officially opened to the public, formally becoming a museum in 1865. Today, the Uffizi is one of the most popular tourist attractions of Florence and one of the most visited art museums in the world. among the master pieces in Uffizi Gallery you can find paintings and sculptures that are as famous as Mona lisa like "The Birth of Venus by Sandro Botticelli" The sculptures in Piazza della Signoria bristle with political connotations, many of which are fiercely contradictory. The David (the original is in the Galleria dell'Accademia) by Michelangelo was placed outside the Palazzo Vecchio as a symbol of the Republic's defiance of the tyrannical Medici. This is one of the copies of David in Florence. Bandinelli's Hercules and Cacus (1534) to the right of the David was appropriated by the Medici to show their physical power after their return from exile. The Nettuno (1575) by Ammannati celebrates the Medici's maritime ambitions and Giambologna's equestrian statue of Duke Cosimo I (1595) is an elegant portrait of the man who brought all of Tuscany under Medici military rule. After two long years of restoration, the original splendor of the fountain has returned and it will be impossible to not admire it from up close walking through the Piazza. read more

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And this is the piazza where the Italian priest was burnt at the stake (it was on the cover of one of the books that I read). Actually, this piazza is pretty awesome, if only for the statues that are located around it. A replica of Michaelangelo's David stands out the front of the fortress here, though a while back it was the original. However, it wasn't anywhere near is great as some of the other statues located here, particularly inside the portico. I didn't end up going into the fortress, namely because I was too caught up on admiring the statues around here. read more

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Italy's passion about history, art and politics probably result from the likes of Da Vinci, Michelangelo and the Renaissance. Florence captures all of these (and more!) and you can feel it all here at Piazza della Signoria. A short walk from Ponte Vecchio or Piazza del Duomo, this is a main square in the heart of the city where locals and tourists naturally flock to and for multiple reasons: it's a gateway to the Uffizi Gallery, visiting the Palazzo Vecchio, looking at the statues at Loggia dei Lanzi (includes the Medici lions), taking pictures in front of the Fountain of Neptune or just hanging out at the several restaurants around the area. This was also the place where Michelangelo's David was originally located before he got transferred to the Accademia. There is still a copy that stands outside Palazzo Vecchio, but it doesn't rival the real thing. The expansive space is great for strolling about and people watching. Street performers entertain tourists with magic and comedy, definitely a fun place to visit! read more

Piazza della Signoria - Public Plazas Near Me - Florence, FI

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A beautiful square in the heart of the city filled with tourists and local gawking at the gorgeous statues, the fountain, and checking out the Palazzo Vecchio. I even saw a bride and groom sneak some pictures in between the statues on the stairs. Great central location in this small town. read more

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Entering Piazza della Signoria is like having a head on mind crash with the Renaissance. It's just that overwhelming. Tagged by many as being the finest piazza in Italy, I would have to agree. The superstar of it for me, however, is the Loggia dei Lanzi, an open-air sculpture gallery as designed in 1376 and best of all, it's free and you are free to linger in admiration as long as you like. As an open air statuary it's unparalleled as it houses the bronze statue of Perseus, the mythical Greek hero holding his sword in his right hand with Medusa's severed head in his left, Rape of the Sabine Women by the Flemish artist Jean de Boulogne, Giambologna's Hercules beating the Centaur Nessus along with so many others. Nearby on the steps of Palazzo Vecchio., within clear sight of Loggia dei Lanzi, is an outside replica of Michelangelo's David with the original work housed inside for security and safety reasons. read more

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The Piazza della Signoria, Florence's civic center and outdoor sculpture gallery contains many notable works of art. If you can't handle looking at naked statues don't look at my photos :) Some of the statues, fountain and buildings in the square are as follows: Bronze equestrian statue of Great Duke Cosimo I by Giambologna (1594) Fontana del Nettuno (Fountain of Neptune) by Ammannati (1575) Palazzo Vecchio - Built by Arnolfo di Cambio between 1299 and 1304. When Florence was the capital of Italy from 1865 to 1871 it housed the Chamber of Deputies and the Foreign Ministry. A copy of the David is left of the entrance to the Palazzo. The original is now in the Academy Museum. Another sculpture of Hercules and Cacus, by Baccio Bandinelli, is to the right of the entrance. The Loggia di Lanzi aka Loggia della Signoria, is a building on the corner. It was built between 1376 and 1382 and is open to the street and full of statues such as the bronze statue of Perseus with the Head of Medusa and many others. The Galleria degli Uffizi entrance is on the southeast side of the square and right next to the Palazzo. A short walk to the south is the Arno River and southwest is the Ponte Vecchio. See my separate reviews for those along with photos. In conclusion, I mentioned that I found out a little piece of trivia that the video game Assasin's Creed II was set in Florence. See my review for the Cattedrale di Santa Maria della Fiore. We picked up a used copy of the PS3 game today and have now arrived at the Piazza della Signorina in 1416. I am Ezio Auditore Da Firenze. I am an assassin. God help me. I must really miss Italy. read more

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Step back to the 14th-15th century when the Medici ruled Florence and the great masters adorned Florence with their art. This is the experience of visiting the historic district of Florence and the Piazza della Signoria. The Piazza della Signoria was the seat of power. The fortress, palace and town hall built in Romanesque architecture was the center piece of Renaissance Italy and the focal point of the square. With in short walking distance from Pizza della Signoria you can visit the Ponte Vecchio, Piazza de Duomo, Uffizi Gallery, Pitti Museum and the Loggia del Lanzi. The Piazza della Signoria remains as an important piece in the history of Florence. A pedestrian walkway makes strolling the district easy and safe. A police presence can also be seen. Don't even think about driving a car in this area. There is no parking and public transportation is cheap and accessible. The highlights of the piazza include: a copy of David, the Fountain of Neptune (1575 Ammannati), Hercules and Cacus (1533 Bandinelli), The Rape of the Sabine Women (Giambologna, Perseus with the Head of Medusa (1554 Cellini), etc.. It is an open air sculpture gallery. A bronze statue of Cosimi I on his horse and a sculpture of Medici (1554), can also be seen. A few steps in front of the Fountain of Neptune is a circular plaque which marks the spot where the friar Savanaroia was executed. He orchestrated the Bonfire of the Vanities, an assault on what he deemed was morally wrong. Books, art, wigs and make-up, etc. were burned in the square. There are quite a few restaurants in the square area. The historic cafe Rivoire to name just one. Realize that you will pay a premium for the dining experience. At times there are street performances and other special events on the piazza. The Piazza della Signoria has it's own website so you can check on events, etc.. If think that a copy of a sculpture should be clearly marked as such. read more

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Very busy and bustling coffee shop and restaurant patios we were shopping around just outside of the Gucci garden you can find this wonderful place they may only accept cash I ordered a classic salad that came with kiwi slices and chicken and a classic olive oil and salt and pepper dressing while sitting outside they served us sparkling water as we enjoyed the nice weather the waiters are super friendly they are used to dealing with loads of tourists a bit of a wait to get a table for all eight of us but that would not normally probably be a problem for most people groups you can enjoy your latte and biscuit while enjoying the scenic courtyard of the piazza A nice place to stop and rest amongst all of the sightseeing and shopping a true authentic coffee shop right in the heart of Florence Italy read more

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Walking through the Piazza Della Signoria is like a dream in the night time. Spotlights highlight the building and the replicas of famous sculptures. The loggia along the side has seating but it is a little too chilly to stay outside. Instead sit and have a drink at one of the cafes that are around the square. I am a sucker for chocolate so whichever cafe can make a good hot chocolate - I am there! The Gucci museum is new to me. It has a lovely modern cafe, bookstore and retail area as well. Wow, look at these classic Gucci leather pieces and accessories. I enjoy the feel of this Piazza since it is less chaotic than others and bigger. If you have the opportunity, walk through and feast your eyes on the art work. It will stimulate your mind and certainly uplift your spirits. read more

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Piazza della Sigoria is an perfect example of how the City is a working museum of architecture and history itself. Just standing in the middle of the Town Square and feels like you took the time machine and you back in the Renaissance... All the buildings are so well maintained and the square itself is clean. Of course numerous sculptures scattered around the square by the Masters.... If you come here in the middle of the night when all the tourists are in bed... you definitely can see the dark shadows and hear the whisperings of the Medici past..... read more

Piazza della Signoria - Public Plazas Near Me - Florence, FI

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Piazza della Signoria is a very large lively popular plaza. It is the home to one of the two David replicas. This one is smaller then the original but has the same marble coloring. The plaza is surrounded by a ton of different statues and galleries. It is very crowded and full of tourist who want to see the David. I liked that there are a lot of places to sit and a ton of shaded areas. Great place to grab a snack and look a really neat sculptures. read more

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Florence has one beautiful square after another and Piazza della Signoria is one of the best. It's full of incredible art and includes a wonderful copy of David. The real David is close by in another museum. The square also features many, many excellent shops and restaurants and the Uffizi Gallery is also right there. Definitely a place you have to experience if you're in Florence. read more

Piazza della Signoria - Copy of "David" - Public Plazas Near Me - Florence, FI

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This is the heart of Florence. The historical center. An outdoor museum, if you will, of a beautiful assortment of Renaissance sculptures scattered throughout a well-maintained and very clean square. People watching is fun during the day, but everything is beautifully lit up at night and not nearly as crowded. A replica of Michelangelo's David (original is in the Accademia) and the Fountain of Neptune are highlights of the piazza. However, there are plenty of works to enjoy throughout, including at the Loggia dei Lanzi, housing Medici lions and the Rape of the Sabine Women, as well as others. read more

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Piazza del Duomo may be more photogenic, but this piazza is actually the most important one in Florence! Dating back even before the Renaissance, Piazza della Signoria has been and continues to be the main square of this beautiful city, and served as the settings for many historic events including the infamous Bonfire of Vanities. Of course you can't miss this iconic plaza! With the city hall Palazzo Vecchio overlooking, Piazza della Signoria may be Florence's largest square and usually the most festive! Especially at night, you will find either formal events like an outdoors symphony concert or street performers displaying their talents. Aside from these dynamic arts, this piazza also has an impressive but often overlooked static art gallery: Loggia dei Lanzi. When first debuted, this arched lodge was so pleased to the folks that even Michelangelo proposed to enclose the entire plaza with it! Ever since, it continues to be an open-air sculpture gallery featuring Renaissance-era masterpieces like the Rape of Sabine Women. Artsy. Anyway, you have many reasons to visit this piazza! Be sure to take an obligatory photo against the backdrop of Palazzo Vecchio's offset tower here, because while the Duomo is beautiful, nothing says Florence better than its main square, Piazza della Signoria. --- tl;dr version: 1) Main and largest square of historic Florence 2) Usually performances going on at night 3) Open-air sculpture gallery Loggia dei Lanzi 4) Must-go destination of Florence read more

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Piazza della Signoria is a beautiful plaza that is a must see when visiting Florence. The Fountain of Neptune is definitely the highlight of this place, but there are also many impressive sculptures to appreciate. If you're a fan of Greek mythology as I am, you'll be thrilled to see such sculptures as Perseus with the Head of Medusa, Hercules beating the Centaur Nessus, and Menelaus Supporting the Body of Patroclus. You can obviously expect to find hordes of tourists here, but it is nevertheless worth it to stroll through and appreciate the works of art on display. There is even a replica of Michelangelo's David in case you want to see it without entering the Galleria dell'Accademia. Without a doubt, one of the highlights of this lovely city! read more

Wow. To describe the Piazza della Signoria would require the use of metaphor, and the best metaphor I can conjure is that of stuffing the Renaissance into a sock with a bunch of bricks and smacking it alongside one's head. A piazza such as this brings out such poetry out of an ordinary man. This is where the original David by Michelangelo once stood, now replaced by a replica for protection reasons (the original now stands in the Accademia di Belle Arti Firenze). On one end is the open-air gallery, the Loggia dei Lanzi, with its own collection of antiquity inspired figures. This alone, with the rest of the square, could take an hour or so to adequately take in. The Piazza della Signoria is one of my favorite memories of Firenze. read more

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Piazza della Signoria is one of my favorite piazzas in Firenze. The "L" shaped public square was named after Palazzo della Signoria and is the political hub of Firenze. You'll find swarms of Florentines and tourists in the piazza as well as an array of sculptures, including Michelangelo's David and Bartolomeo Ammannati's Fountain of Neptune. You'll find these historical buildings surrounding the piazza: Palazzo Vecchio "Old Palace" - Firenze's town hall. Loggia dei Lanzi - An open-air sculpture gallery of antique and Renaissance art. Tribunale della Mercanzia - Formerly a courthouse built in the 1300's. Building was restored in 1905. Palazzo Uguccioni - A Renaissance palace built for Giovanni Uguccioni. Palazzo delle Assicurazioni Generali - Commercial building that was designed in the Neo-Renaissance style in 1871. If you are visiting Firenze stop by this piazza in-between tourist sites. It's a great spot to stop for pictures and it's free! read more

One of the coolest places. Awesome outdoor sculptures that you can sit and look at for hours outside. It's a must see after the uffizi when you want to rest your feet. I love sculpture so this place was right up my alley! read more

Piazza della Signoria - Lion sculpture - Public Plazas Near Me - Florence, FI

The Piazza della Signoria, Florence's civic center and outdoor sculpture gallery contains many reproductions of famous works of arts like Michelangelo's David, Benvenuto's Perseus holding Medusa's head, Neptune's fountain and so on. You can admire works of arts free of cost or grab a seat at a nearby cafe and just people watch. The Gucci Museo is also nearby if that's your thing. Just remember, anywhere there is a flow of tourists, the eateries charge more so it does not hurt to walk a bit more and find much better prices and even better food. read more

My absolute favorite place to enjoy Florence and people-watch. :) I walked through Piazza della Signoria every day for three weeks, and I still couldn't get enough of the sculptures, statues, and of course, the Fountain of Neptune. I can't wait to come back here. read more

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One of the main sights to visit in Florence. This is the main juncture between the Uffizi gallery, Palazzo Vecchio, Ponte Vecchio, before moving towards the Duomo and Piazza della Repubblica. Enjoy the incredible sculpture gallery, Neptune's fountain, and a reproduction of the David. read more

Piazza della Signoria - Public Plazas Near Me - Florence, FI

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Best "Piazza" in all of Italy...there's actually cool shit to see here. Though cigarette smokers treat the entire piazza like a giant ashtry...y'all disgust me read more

10/29/2013 This is THE place to go for some good Italian (and international) shopping. It has stores like Chanel, Disney, etc. It's great for people watching, as there are lots of areas to sit and just socialize/watch people hustling by... It's very close to the Uffizi and Ponte Vecchio. read more

Another popular piazza among tourists! There are so many statues around (check out Neptune's Fountain and the other David statue!) that are amazing! Each one has such great detail to it. It is also a very wide space that gets PACKED with tourists especially in the smack middle of the day. It can get annoying especially if you're trying to get somewhere! There are a good amount of restaurants and cafes around, but don't be fooled by just walking a few blocks elsewhere and finding cheaper food! They also have the Gucci museum, Uffizi, and the Ponte Vecchio if you're searching for other attractions nearby. Come back here at night; the piazza is so much more peaceful, and there's a guy that sits by the Uffizi side of the piazza that plays music and sings! Many people come out just to enjoy the ambiance here. read more

One of the great Piazza's of Florence, this is one of the "must sees" when you are in the city! How could you miss it? It is centrally located, close to the Ponte Vecchio, the town hall, and has numerous statues consisting of Neptune, Perseus holding Medusas' head, and David (not the original) just to name a few. There are great shops, restaurants, and bars around the square. In fact, just around the corner outside the square is the original bar where the Negroni is clamed to be invented after the famous Count Negroni. Nearly every day, there will be some fantastic street performers and some of the best opera singers I have heard on the streets! It is worthwhile to find a great spot for coffee or a drink and just people watch. You will not regret it! read more

The heart of Florence! At least that's what it felt like for me. Steps away from the famous (and stunning) Duomo, Galleria dell'Accademia (http://www.yelp.com/biz/galleria-dellaccademia-firenze?hrid=dmBRVmK0aERP5_eA9GPFOQ&page_src=shared_via_messages_or_emails), restaurants, gelato shops, markets, etc etc. So much life in this piazza, it'd be hard not to get wrapped up in everything Florence. read more

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This is an impressive square best seem at night. There is always a huge crowd here to admire Italy's glorious cultural past. The majestic Uttizi Gallery stands close by adding an air of elegance to the surrounding. So many photogenic opportunities. So much for the eyes to behold. It's definitely worth a visit even if you don't have time to visit the museum. read more

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The Palazzo Vecchio's main entrance is approached from a this piazza (plaza) which includes many historic sculptures, including Michaelangelo's David, as well as Benvenuto Cellini's Perseus with the Head of Medusa. These are inspiring sculptures that are not to be missed. A replica of David marble sculpture actually stood at the entrance. The Uffizi gallery is in the same vicinity as well. The Fountain of Neptune is also in the L shaped square. We walked this both in the day and night and every walk was magical. It's one of the best places to sit outdoors for lunch of pizza with friends. Always a fun and special place to relax and let the time go by while you watch all sort of people walk by. read more

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Wonderful area for shopping, seeing ancient sculptures, the architecture was incredible, just an overall excellent area for tourists. Tons of great shops in all directions to pick up those souvenirs, gelato shops, food shops, pizza, there is just so much history in this area, make sure you put aside a few hours to experience it all. read more

This place can get seriously crowded!! I walked through on a Saturday afternoon and couldn't even get near the open air museum or the replica of David. I went back on Sunday morning (around 8am) and was so pleased to find the piazza empty! That's my advice - go early and enjoy a crowd-less stroll. Do not skip the open-air museum as the statues are divine. read more

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This place was magnificent! I can barely describe it. I hope those of you reading this, who get to visit Florence, get to see the street opera performers. Literally brought tears to my eyes. The wine might have something to do with the emotion surge but hey .... When in Firenze. Lots to absorb here. Very VERY cool spot in Florence steeped in amazing history. read more

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