Day 2
In Florence, we stayed in the heart of the city, right by the Duomo. On our first day in this city, we visited the bustling Piazza del Duomo, taking in the stunning cathedral and its iconic dome. From there, we walked north to explore the Medici Chapels, followed by a visit to the Accademia Gallery, where we saw Michelangelo’s David. We wrapped up the day at the Leonardo da Vinci Museum, filled with fascinating models and inventions.
We began our journey at the world-famous Piazza del Duomo, the beating heart of the city. The square is surrounded by some of the most iconic architectural masterpieces of the Renaissance. At its center stands the majestic Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, known for its massive red-tiled dome designed by Brunelleschi. Right next to it is Giotto’s Campanile, the elegant bell tower offering panoramic views of the city. Across from the cathedral is the Baptistery of St. John, with its striking bronze doors, including the famous “Gates of Paradise” by Ghiberti. The entire square buzzed with energy—street performers, tourists, and the hum of daily Florentine life—all set against a backdrop of history and grandeur.
After exploring the Duomo, we walked just five minutes north to the Medici Chapels (Cappelle Medicee), located behind the Church of San Lorenzo. This site serves as the grand mausoleum for the powerful Medici family, who were once the rulers and patrons of Renaissance Florence. The chapels are richly decorated with marble and precious stones, especially in the Chapel of the Princes, which showcases the Medici’s wealth and influence. We also visited the New Sacristy, designed by Michelangelo, where his sculptural masterpieces accompany the tombs of Medici dukes.
After that, we continued our walk to the Galleria dell’Accademia, which took about 7–10 minutes from the Medici Chapels. Though smaller than other major museums, the Accademia is home to one of the most iconic sculptures in the world—Michelangelo’s David. Seeing it in person was breathtaking; the scale, detail, and raw power of the statue were even more impressive than expected. The gallery also features other works by Michelangelo, along with paintings, musical instruments, and exhibits highlighting Florence’s artistic legacy.
Leonardo da Vinci Museum, just a short 5-minute walk away focuses on Leonardo’s genius as an inventor and engineer. The museum features detailed models of his designs—machines for flight, war, hydraulics, and mechanics—all built based on his original sketches. Many of the exhibits are interactive, letting us turn cranks and pulleys to see his ideas in action. It was a hands-on and fascinating way to understand the mind of one of the Renaissance’s greatest thinkers, and a fun contrast to the sculpture and painting we’d seen earlier in the day.