A Virtual Holiday to Florence

Embark on our multimedia Tuscan treasure hunt to see the Uffizi and the Duomo from home

By Google Arts & Culture

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Forza Firenze!

This stunning viewpoint, Piazza Michelangelo, is a favorite spot for visitors and locals. From here you can see the city set within its beautiful Tuscan surroundings. Later we'll be going on a scavenger hunt, but first let's see the sights. Ready for a Florentine holiday?

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Santa Maria del Fiore, The 'Duomo'

The undisputed jewel in Florence's already jewel-studded crown, the church of Santa Maria del Fiore, its Campanile Tower and the facing Baptistry are among the world's greatest architectural treasures.

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Palazzo Vecchio

The city's grand old Palace is imposing and rugged, but still a mid-Renaissance marvel!

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The Uffizi

Maybe the finest collection of Renaissance art anywhere in the world, the Uffizi is yours to explore...

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Hungry? Discover Florence's Worst-Kept Secret

Down a backstreet near the palazzo you can find the city's legendary deli shops, including All'antico Vinaio. Serve yourself some fine wine for a few pennies then turn around - look, behind you! - to sample the finest antipasti in town amidst a crowd of locals. Buon appetito!

View of the Cathedral of S. Maria del Fiore, Florence View of the Cathedral of S. Maria del Fiore, FlorenceTouring Club Italiano

Now it's time for a scavenger hunt. Can you scour the streets and find the following must-see treasures of the Tuscan city?

Hitchcock Directing, Gjon Mili, 1959, From the collection of: LIFE Photo Collection
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The birth of Venus, Sandro Botticelli, 1483 - 1485, From the collection of: Uffizi Gallery
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Ponte Vecchio Bridge, Florence, Tuscany, Italy, ABEL, 2005-09-01, From the collection of: Getty Images
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The Baptistery, Florence, From the collection of: Touring Club Italiano
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Scroll down to discover these famous landmarks one-by-one in a street view treasure hunt...

By Alfred EisenstaedtLIFE Photo Collection

Somewhere in the streets and piazzas there's a full-size replica of Michelangelo's David. Can you find it? 

Scroll down to use Street View to explore Florence and hunt it down. Keep scrolling once you've found it for more info, and to continue the hunt. Hint: it's near a grand palace...

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David (1959) by MichelangeloLIFE Photo Collection

Michaelangelo's David

David is considered among the greatest achievements of Renaissance sculpture for its beauty and its technical brilliance. Michelangelo carved it from a single block of marble from 1501 to 1504.

The sculpture was placed in the public square outside the Palazzo Vecchio, and became a symbol of the city's resilience and beauty. It stood here for centuries, before being moved to the Galleria dell'Accademia in 1873. A replica now stands in its former spot.

Three more to go! Keep searching...

The birth of Venus, Sandro Botticelli, 1483 - 1485, From the collection of: Uffizi Gallery
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Ponte Vecchio Bridge, Florence, Tuscany, Italy, ABEL, 2005-09-01, From the collection of: Getty Images
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The Baptistery, Florence, From the collection of: Touring Club Italiano
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Three more treasures to uncover...

The birth of Venus (1483 - 1485) by Sandro BotticelliUffizi Gallery

Can you follow Zephyr's winds and discover Botticelli's most famous painting?

Scroll down and use the arrows to find Venus. Hint: turn left off the main corridor of the Uffizi, then look for Sala di Leonardo.

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The birth of Venus (1483 - 1485) by Sandro BotticelliUffizi Gallery

Botticelli's Venus

Painted around the 1480s, The Birth of Venus is considered one of Sandro Botticelli's finest works, alongside Primavera, which hangs in the same room.

According to myth, the goddess of beauty emerged fully formed from the ocean and was blown ashore by Zephyr's winds.

Two down, two to go...

Ponte Vecchio Bridge, Florence, Tuscany, Italy, ABEL, 2005-09-01, From the collection of: Getty Images
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The Baptistery, Florence, From the collection of: Touring Club Italiano
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Now can you spot these architectural wonders?

The Arno in Florence (1740) by Bernardo BellottoMuseum of Fine Arts, Budapest

Florence sits on the banks of the Arno, and its buildings cluster up to the water. The Uffizzi itself is right next to the river

One particular bridge has become famous for its unique architecture. Scroll down and use the arrows to find it. Hint: once you reach the river, check left and right!

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Almost there...

The Baptistery, Florence, From the collection of: Touring Club Italiano
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One last wonder to complete the hunt...

Baptistery, South-East Side by Original by Fratelli Alinari, reprinted by Kunsthistorisches Institut in FlorenzDr. Bhau Daji Lad Mumbai City Museum

The historic centre of Florence is full of architectural riches, and chief among them may be the small but imposing Baptistry.

Can you track it down in the next slide? Hint: it is friends with the Duomo!

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The Baptistry of St. John

The baptistry is one of Florence's oldest buildings, and served as inspiration for the later architects, Giotto and Brunelleschi, responsible for the campanile tower and the Cathedral Duomo opposite. The East-facing doors were designed by Lorenzo Ghiberti, and dubbed the Gates of Paradise by none other than Michelangelo.

View of the Baptistery of St. John (from 1059), the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore (from 1296), and the Bell Tower (from 1298) by Unidentified PhotographerDr. Bhau Daji Lad Mumbai City Museum

Congratularions!

Well done on uncovering this small selection of Florence's many treasures.

Find out more about the Uffizzi Galleries here, and step inside the Palazzo Vecchio here!

Credits: All media
The story featured may in some cases have been created by an independent third party and may not always represent the views of the institutions, listed below, who have supplied the content.

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