Day 3
We started our second day with a visit to the historic Piazza della Signoria, the heart of political life in Renaissance Florence. The square is lined with grand sculptures and anchored by the medieval Palazzo Vecchio, once home to the powerful Florentine government. Standing in the piazza feels like stepping into a living museum—the open-air Loggia dei Lanzi showcases masterpieces like Perseus with the Head of Medusa and The Rape of the Sabine Women. A replica of Michelangelo’s David marks the spot where the original once stood. The atmosphere was lively and full of history, making it a perfect place to begin our day.
From Piazza della Signoria, we walked directly to the Uffizi Gallery, one of the most famous art museums in the world. The Uffizi holds an incredible collection of Renaissance masterpieces, and walking through its grand halls felt like moving through the pages of an art history book. We saw iconic works like Botticelli’s “The Birth of Venus” and “Primavera”, Leonardo da Vinci’s “Annunciation”, and Michelangelo’s “Doni Tondo”. The museum’s layout, with long corridors and views overlooking the Arno River, added to the experience. Each room offered something breathtaking, and it was easy to lose track of time while surrounded by so much beauty and history. You have to prebook the tour online, otherwise you might end up waiting a couple of hours to get in.
After visiting the Uffizi Museum and admiring its incredible collection of Renaissance masterpieces, we walked over to the nearby Palazzo Vecchio, where the experience shifted from viewing art in frames to stepping inside history itself. The Palazzo Vecchio was built in 1299 as the seat of the Florentine Republic's government. Later, in the 16th century, it became the residence of Cosimo I de’ Medici, who transformed it with grand decorations by Giorgio Vasari. After the Medici moved to Palazzo Pitti, it was renamed “Old Palace.” Today, it serves as both a museum and Florence’s city hall, symbolizing centuries of political and artistic history. The grand Salone dei Cinquecento, Michelangelo’s Genius of Victory, and the Medici apartments gave us a vivid sense of Florence’s political and artistic power. Climbing the Tower of Arnolfo provided breathtaking views of the city, making Palazzo Vecchio not just a museum, but a living monument to Florence’s rich past.
Since the reopening of the Vasari Corridor on December 21, 2024, visitors can now walk directly from Palazzo Vecchio, the Old Palace, to Palazzo Pitti, the New Palace, via this historic passageway. The 750-meter-long corridor, originally designed for the Medici family, passes through the Uffizi Gallery and across the Ponte Vecchio, offering a unique, elevated view of Florence. Once a private route for the ruling elite, it is now open to the public with a combined ticket that includes access to both the Uffizi and the corridor. The experience is a fascinating journey through art, architecture, and Florentine history, explored through timed-entry and guided tours.
We crossed the Ponte Vecchio, enjoying the views of the Arno River and the charming gold shops that line the bridge, and soon arrived at the Palazzo Pitti, also known as the New Palace. Originally built in the 15th century for the wealthy banker Luca Pitti, the palace was designed to rival the grandeur of the Medici family. Ironically, it was later purchased by Eleonora di Toledo, wife of Cosimo I de’ Medici, in the mid-1500s, becoming the official residence of the Medici dynasty. Over time, the palace was expanded and transformed into a grand complex of royal apartments, art galleries, and museums. Today, it houses some of Florence’s most important collections, including the Palatine Gallery, the Royal Apartments, and the entrance to the Boboli Gardens, blending centuries of art, power, and history in one magnificent site.
After exploring the grandeur of Palazzo Pitti in Florence, we boarded a night train to Rome, letting the rhythm of the rails carry us into the Eternal City while we rested from a day full of art and history.