The region of Tuscany located in central Italy is home to many gems, including the city of Florence. Historically, it played a key role as a cultural, financial, and trade hub, while many experts believe that this is where the Renaissance originated. That’s why culture vultures and history buffs congregate here and seek out Florence’s many attractions from a bygone era. Some of these include the magnificent Boboli Gardens next to Pitti Palace, Michelangelo’s masterpieces which includes the sculpture of David, and the Ufizzi Gallery renowned for its splendid art collection. Check out our comprehensive list of things to do in Florence, Italy - and plan your trip accordingly.
1. Witness the fascinating architecture in the Florence Duomo Complex (from USD 92.0)
Florence Duomo Complex is one of Italy’s most important religious landmarks. You can enjoy a tour here in the presence of a knowledgeable guide who knows the history like the back of his hand. Spend hours admiring the beautiful mosaics in the Baptistery and be enthralled by the fascinating architecture of Florence Cathedral which includes Brunelleschi’s Dome and Giotto’s Campanile.
You can spend a whole day in the Duomo Complex with a 24-hour ticket. The Opera del Duomo Museum is a great place for art and history buffs where you will find the artwork of many legendary artists of the golden era. Michelangelo’s Pietà Bandini and Donatello’s Mary Magdalene happen to be some of them. You can also climb the splendid Giotto’s Belltower and enjoy breathtaking views of Brunelleschi’s gigantic dome from the elevation.
Tip from tour guide
While you're at the Florence Duomo complex, remember to check out Porta della Mandorla. This doorway on the north side of the cathedral is a stunning work of art by Donatello, Nanni di Banco, and other sculptors.
The most beautiful entrance to the Florentine cathedral was sculpted between 1391 and 1423 and is considered one of the first Renaissance works.
Florence Duomo Baptistery, Cathedral, Museum Small-Group Tour
Duration: 2 hours 45 minutes
2. Learn to make delicious pasta from a professional chef (from USD 71.0)
The best way to learn about the culture of a place is through the knowledge of its food. While touring Italy, you can sign up for this unique cooking workshop in Florence.
A professional chef will help you in recreating three handmade pasta recipes of ravioli, tagliatelle, and tortellini using fresh tomato sauce as the base. You can enjoy this chef-led workshop and your own creations at the end of the day with a bottle of locally sourced Tuscan wine. The chef will share a few of his recipes with you after the session.
Florence Private Pasta Workshop with Dinner
Duration: 3 hours
3. Enjoy a traditional Italian meal after a Vespa tour in Tuscany (from USD 143.0)
Enjoy exploring the unexplored areas in Tuscany on a Vespa on this bike tour from Florence. A small group of 15 people in the presence of a local guide ensures a personalized experience. You can soak in the picturesque atmosphere of the scenic hills while whizzing past the famous Piazzale Michelangelo and the Church of San Miniato al Monte on your scooter. End the tour with a sumptuous meal that consists of traditional Italian cuisine in the country estate. A typical lunch menu has bruschetta, pasta, cheese, and salami.
Florence and Tuscan Hills Vespa Tour with Italian Cuisine Meal
Duration: 6 hours
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4. Savor an authentic Tuscan meal and enjoy a mesmerizing concert performance (from USD 80.0)
Florence is all about gorgeous locales from beautiful ruins and some of the most romantic mountain ranges to pristine seascapes. But it is also about the food and the music. Keeping this in mind, the city offers an exclusive dinner and concert experience for its visitors. You can begin with sampling an authentic Tuscan meal which consists of an appetizer, ravioli, penne dei golosi, and a mouthwatering dessert in a quintessential Florentine restaurant located in Piazza Signoria.
A fantastic performance by the famous tenors Pavarotti, Domingo, and Carreras awaits you after the sumptuous meal a few steps from the restaurant in Santo Stefano al Ponte Church. The grand interiors along with the beautiful acoustics come together under the moonlight and create magic which is truly a memorable experience for the audience to remember for a lifetime.
Dinner and Concert with "Three Tenors": A Real Italian Experience
Duration: 3 hours
Florence Tour Guide
Joanna
Hello, my name is Joanna. I was born and raised in Poland but then I fell hopelessly in love with Tuscany and have been living in Florence for 20 years. Wisely enough, I decided to turn my passion into work and became a tour guide. Now I can share with you my immense love for the beauty, history and art of these enchanted places. I am particularly passionate about the Middle Ages, history, scu... Read more
Tours by Joanna
Florence Tour Guide
Sara Pallabazzer
I am a lively well-spoken tour guide and tour leader from Florence, and a person who has the ability to motivate different sets of audience; to communicate effectively and possesses a high degree of energy and enthusiasm.I am able to manage multiple tasks, self-motivated team player with excellent communication skills. I am proficient in Italian, English and Norwegian and possess a strong love ... Read more
Tours by Sara
Florence Tour Guide
Francesca Boldrini
Linguist specializing in art history. I am a licensed tour guide with natural communicating skills and a big passion for Tuscany andRinascimento. I speak five languages: Russian at B2 TRKI level, German at B1 level, English, Italian and French at the mother tongue level.I’ve got a great problem solving skills and the ability to work under pressure gained thanks to my experience in hospitality. ... Read more
Tours by Francesca
5. Stroll through Boboli Gardens (from USD 49.0)
Without any doubt, Florence is a beautiful city, and the Boboli Gardens perfectly encapsulate this fact. You’ll be impressed by the attractive statues, diverse plant life, and masterful landscaping on display here. Your tour guide has plenty of knowledge about every facet of these gardens and the accompanying Pitti Palace so you’re bound to gain a few interesting nuggets. Also, you’ll eventually climb the hill and view Giambologna’s stunning Abundance statue and Neptune’s Fountain.
Boboli Garden Tour in Florence
Duration: 1 hour
6. Admire Giotto’s Campanile (from USD 226.0)
Florence is filled with magnificent cathedrals and eye-catching architecture that will vie for your attention. In particular, the Baptistry of Florence and Duomo Museum will leave quite the impression, and you’re bound to take many photos. But it’s Giotto’s Campanile, towering over the Duomo, that will take your breath away. And yes, you’ll have an opportunity to climb up the bell tower if you’re willing to brave those 414 steps.
Giotto's Bell Tower Climb and Duomo Museums
Duration: 3 hours
7. Make a wish at the Fountain of Neptune
The Fountain of Neptune- Piazza Della Signoria, Florence www.ciaotours.com
Posted by Ciao Tours on Wednesday, 12 November 2014
Commissioned by the Grand Duke of Florence - Cosimo I de’ Medici - in 1559, the Fountain of Neptune is the main attraction at Piazza della Signoria. One of its key features is the sculpture of Neptune, which was meant to resemble the duke and also represent Florence’s dominant position in the Mediterranean. Take time to admire the sculpture and ponder on its long and history. Finally, make a wish to the God of the Sea, and perhaps, your wish may be granted.
Fountain of Neptune
Address: 50125 Florence, Metropolitan City of Florence, Italy
Opening hours: Tue - Sun: 8:15am - 4:30pm (closed on Mon)
Tip from tour guide
Aside from the Fountain of Nepture, Piazza della Signoria also features one of my favorite artworks in Florence: Judith slaying Holofernes, by Donatello, 1457-64. Donatello was already 70 years old when he created this.
This is the bronze replica of a statue located in Palazzo Vecchio. The statue was commissioned as a fountain by the Medici for their palace's garden. It's one of the first Renaissance statues to be conceived in the round. It was originally gilded and cast in 11 parts. The base of the sculpture features some of the earliest Renaissance examples of puttis (chubby male children) who are depicted treading grapes, drinking, and urinating. It's believed that an inscription on the granite pedestal originally read, "Kingdoms fall through luxury [sin], cities rise through virtues. Behold the neck of pride severed by the hand of humility."
8. Experience Mercato Centrale (from USD 164.0)
A major reason to visit Florence is for its delicious local cuisine, and there’s no better way to experience this than at Mercato Centrale. This tour will take you to the heart of Florence’s bustling food culture, which is none other than the central food market. Here, you’ll be introduced to a professional chef who’ll reveal secrets to a wide range of Florentine dishes. Some of our favorites include the Pollastro Affinocchiato, Torta della Nonna, and Schiacciata alla Fiorentina. You’ll learn to prepare some of these delicacies and then enjoy them with a glass of wine.
Florence Mercato Centrale Private Tour and Home Cooking Class
Duration: 5 hours
9. Explore Uffizi Palace and Gallery (from USD 60.0)
The Uffizi Gallery is worth visiting as it showcases one of the world’s most prestigious art collections. After all, where can you find the original works from the likes of Botticelli, Caravaggio, Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, and Raffaello under one roof? And, if this isn’t impressive enough, you’ll also have an opportunity to explore this striking building that was owned by the famous Medici family at one point.
Tip from tour guide
When you visit the Uffizi Gallery, the statues are not exactly on your mind. You would rather think of paintings by Botticelli, Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael, and divine Michelangelo.
Yet imagine that in the 18th and 19th centuries, people were coming to the Uffizi mainly to see one statue, the Medici Venus, the most celebrated statue of the goddess of beauty and love.
Many other statues, reliefs, and sarcophagi from the Medici collection were also attracting scholars and aristocrats from all over Europe.
This year, until June 30, is a good opportunity to admire the Uffizi's most beautiful statues. Don't forget to take a careful, awe-inspiring look before rushing to see the paintings.
INFO: Divina Simulacra - Uffizi. Until 30 June 2024
Tuesday to Sunday, 8.15 am- 6.30 pm
Included in the ticket.
Tip from tour guide
This is an Adoration of the Magi by Sandro Botticelli from 1470-1475 that is in the Uffizi Gallery. The Gospel theme of the homage of the Three Magi to Baby Jesus is turned by Botticelli into a parade of characters from Florentine society in the years of the Medici family's rise to power. Jesus is blessing one of the Magi kneeling at his feet. The man looks like Cosimo the Elder. He is depicted dabbing Jesus' feet with his hands veiled by a cloth. The other two Magi probably look like Cosimo's sons, Piero and Giovanni, who are standing next to him dressed in white. Other members of the Medici family are taking part in the scene: Lorenzo the Magnificent, is probably the half-face young man with black hair on the right, while his brother Giuliano might be the young man with a sword in the foreground.
Skip the Line: Uffizi Gallery Visit with Audio-Guided Tour
Duration: 4 hours
10. Take a close look at the sculpture of David (from USD 31.0)
One of the biggest attractions in Florence is none other than Michelangelo’s famous sculpture of David. Whether you admire the biblical figure, the sculptor, or both - this is one attraction at the Accademia Gallery that you simply can’t miss! Furthermore, you’ll have an opportunity to view Michelangelo’s other works and those of del Sarto and Lippi.
Accademia Gallery Skip-the-Line Access
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
11. Marvel at the amazing architecture of Pitti Palace (from USD 29.0)
It seems like there’s no shortage of excellent galleries in Florence such as the Accademia Gallery and Uffizi. However, there’s another must-see gallery that most tourists overlook, which is Pitti Palace’s Palatine Gallery. Here, you’ll have an opportunity to view the works from renowned artists such as Botticelli, Raphael, and Titian. And you won’t just admire the amazing paintings on display, but also the rustic walls of this fascinating building that was once a base used by Napoleon.
Pitti Palace Palatine, Modern Art Gallery Skip-the-Line Entry
Duration: 60 to 180 minutes
12. Pay your respects at the Basilica of Santa Croce in Florence (from USD 16.0)
Without any doubt, the Basilica of Santa Croce is one of the most impressive churches of its kind. This massive Franciscan church boasts neo-Gothic architecture that makes it quite imposing. There’s much to see here such as altars, cloisters, crypts, frescoes, sepulchers, tombs, and the accompanying Museo dell'Opera del Duomo. Furthermore, you’ll also have an opportunity to view the tombs of Agnolo Gaddi, Dante Alighieri, Galileo Galilei, Michelangelo Buonarroti, and Niccolò Machiavelli, to name a few.
Tip from tour guide
Did you know that you can find some famous historical figures above the main entrance of the Basilica of Santa Croce in Florence? For example, you can see Dante Alighieri, Matilda of Tuscany, Charlemagne, and the emperor Constantine. The relief shows the Exaltation of the Cross and was made by a Sienese artist, Giovanni Duprè in the 19th century. Duprè was entrusted with three reliefs, but he was too busy and did only one.
Tip from tour guide
Remember to visit the tomb of Michelangelo in the Basilica of Santa Croce. In front of the sarcophagus, you can see three seated women, the allegories of Sculpture (in the center), Painting (to the left), and Architecture (to the right). Above is the bust of Michelangelo looking at his funeral mask. On the sides, you can see the coat of arms of the Buonarroti family and the emblem of the Academy of Design founded in Florence in 1563. There are three circles with three branches of trees: oak, laurel, and olive.
The tomb is decorated in fresco with the Pietà in the center. The one we see today to the right of the main entrance was designed by Giorgio Vasari with the help of other sculptors, including Valerio Cioli and Giovanni Bandini. The fresco was executed by Giovanni Battista Naldini.
No one seems to have taken into account the intentions of the deceased, who desired for himself a simple tomb in Rome with the sculpture of the Pietà!
Skip the Line: Santa Croce Basilica Entrance ticket
Duration: 1 to 2 hours
13. Visit the Florence Cathedral (from USD 32.0)
Not all cathedrals are created equal, and this is apparent when one gazes at the imposing yet stunning Santa Maria del Fiori. It features intricately constructed facade, distinctive Gothic arches, and Brunelleschi’s Dome. Since this is such a popular attraction, expect to encounter plenty of tourists looking to get tickets. Avoid the long queues by booking this comprehensive tour of Duomo, the crypt, the baptistery, and the bell tower.
Florence Dome Climb Up Ticket (Duomo Florence)
Duration: 3 days
14. Walk along the Ponte Vecchio (from USD 23.0)
This is one of the more affordable and lovelier tours that you can partake in when visiting Florence. You’ll walk along the stunningly beautiful Ponte Vecchio, which is an arch bridge built across the Arno River. Furthermore, you’ll be impressed by the colorful flats and shops built on top of the bridge known for their rustic and quirky style. But the tour doesn’t end there as you’ll also visit other key landmarks such as the Piazza della Signoria and various historic streets in the vicinity. The knowledgeable tour guide will share interesting tidbits about all these sites, and you’ll likely gain a greater appreciation for this fascinating city.
Florence Walking Tour: Intro to the City
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
A majestic city with much to see and do
Florence certainly lives up to its reputation as a city rich in history and culture. Furthermore, it’s fairly easy to get around and access its many attractions, even during the summer season when tourists populate every nook and cranny. But booking one of these tours ahead of time will ensure that you get to enjoy the very best things this city has to offer, without having to deal with large crowds.
Dive into the history of fashion in Italy at Museum of Costume and Fashion, Pitti Palace
Contributed by Tour Guide, Joanna
Did you know that Florence was the first Italian capital of fashion? Visit Museum of Costume and Fashion in Pitti Palace in Florence, which has recently reopened after being closed for three years, to know more!
The museum started in 1983 with a collection of about 6000 historical costumes and accessories, which has grown over time, thanks to public and private donations. The museum was closed due to COVID-19, and this forced stop allowed its modernization.
For now, the museum only presents clothes from the 20th century, arranged chronologically and displayed in rotation. The display includes fifty dresses and numerous accessories such as shoes and hats. Among the dresses on display are creations by Giorgio Armani, Prada, and Elsa Schiaparelli, as well as Coco Chanel and John Galliano. Many designers dictated the trends, themselves inspired by contemporary artists such as Calder, Picasso, and Salvador Dalí. You can find it all here: taffeta, silk satin, velvet, chiffon, sequins, beads, tulle, and organza.
I find it very interesting to visit it chronologically, learning about how fashion and the ideal of female beauty changed over the years according to events. Explore the jaunty style of the 1920s, the return of corsets in the post-war years, the miniskirts and geometric patterns of the 1960s, aggressive pop trends inspired by Madonna in the 1980s, and other displays from the present, more gender-fluid years.
From the 1920s, we can admire pieces such as Mariano Fortuny’s powder-colored Delphos, Paul Poiret’s velvety coat with gold lace and floral decoration, or Coco Chanel’s iconic ‘flapper’ dress. There are also true modern masterpieces worn by pop’s most iconic divas.
Note that access to the museum is included in the ticket for Pitti Palace.
Explore Piazza Nicola Demidoff and admire the works of art
Contributed by Tour Guide, Joanna
The Florentine monument you see in the pictures was severely damaged by vandals in 2018. The work to conserve and clean the marble took five years.
The monument is dedicated to the Russian multimillionaire and philanthropist Nicola Demidoff. Nicola was a philanthropist and improved the livelihood of the people in the neighborhood. The monument was commissioned by his sons in 1828 and created by the renowned artist, Lorenzo Bartolini. First, he made preparatory models in plaster and bronze. If you visit Accademia Gallery Museum in Florence, you will find a plaster model.
I took detailed photos of this monument during my recent walk in the district. At the top, you can see Nicola Demidoff with his son as an allegory for gratitude, and all around are four allegories relating to his life. There’s Siberia with a hammer and her son Pluto, a reference to the mineral industry on which the family made its fortune. You can also find the portrayal of charity—a woman feeding her son. Two additional bas-reliefs on the monument show Nicola’s death and his deeds of mercy towards the poor, while inscriptions mention the creator of the monument and why it was erected in the square in 1870.
Visit Villa Petraia to learn about the Medici ways
Contributed by Tour Guide, Joanna
Source: Joanna
Villa Petraia is located a few kilometers from Florence and is one of the most beautiful Medici villas. You can visit it free of charge all year round.
The name Petraia comes from the stony ground. The Villa has existed since the 14th century but owes its exterior and garden the reconstruction commissions by Ferdinando I de Medici that began in the 16th century. The interior presents the typical appearance of the 19th century when the beautiful Rosina, the lover of the King of Italy, Victor Emmanuel II, lived in the villa. The king himself spent a lot of time here. Inside, there’s also a spectacular courtyard decorated with frescoes from the 16th and 17th centuries with Medici figures such as popes, Catherine de Medici, and Cosimo I, along with the important events. The game room with billiard tables and some original games and pastimes is very interesting. In some rooms, you can admire the 16th-century original bronze sculptures by Tribolo, Ammannati, and Giambologna such as Hercules choking Antaeus or the beautiful Venus.
To visit the villa, you must come at certain times.
From April to September: Tue - Sun: 9:30am, 10:30am, 11:30am, 2pm, 3pm, 4pm, 5pm. (Closed on Monday)
Garden: 8:30am - 6:30pm
From November to March, the opening hours are reduced.
Visits are free of charge.
To get here, you can visit Santa Maria Novella station, take the bus to Via Sestese or Castello, or take the train to Castello. In both cases, you will have to walk a little. If you’re arriving by car, you can enjoy free parking.
Admire gorgeous frescoes at the hidden gem, Cenacolo di Sant'Apollonia
Contributed by Tour Guide, Joanna
If you’re looking to discover a hidden gem in Florence, visit Cenacolo di Sant'Apollonia. This museum hosts the Last Supper as depicted in 1447 by Andrea del Castagno, together with his other frescoes and preparatory drawings. The place was an original refectory of the Benedictine convent. Until the 19th century, even Vasari hadn’t any idea about the existence of this beautiful fresco. The best part is that you can visit the museum for free.
Visit Chapel of Saint Michael in the ghost city of Semifonte
Contributed by Tour Guide, Joanna
Semifonte, near Barberino Val d'Elsa, was once a grand fortified city and a rival of Florence. Florence couldn’t tolerate it, so the city was completely destroyed in 1202 in a siege, and little remains today.
The curious Chapel of Saint Michael was built on the site of Semifonte according to plans by Santi di Tito in 1597. It’s surmounted by a dome that is a one-eighth-scale replica of Brunelleschi’s dome of Florence Cathedral. The place is incredibly pretty, with views of the surrounding landscape. This lovely little church is one of those random gems that you stumble across while exploring Tuscany.
Visit San Giovannino degli Scolopi for a non-touristy experience
Contributed by Tour Guide, Joanna
San Giovannino degli Scolopi is a little-known and -visited church in Florence. It was designed in the 1300s for the Jesuits by Bartolomeo Ammannati, who was also buried there with his wife Laura Battiferri. The church was finished by Alfonso Paris the Young. It preserves the body of San Fiorino and the canvases of Alessandro Allori, Passignano, Pier Dandini, and Francesco Curradi. Some picturesque representations are very rare, such as the Staircase of Jacob or the Fall of Lucifer.
The building was refurbished in 1665 by Agostino Veracini. You can also see the stucco of Girolamo Ticciati and the statues of the chalk apostles of Camillo Cateni. This is truly a gem for history and art enthusiasts!
Discover interesting exhibits at National Archaeological Museum, Florence
Contributed by Tour Guide, Joanna
National Archaeological Museum of Florence features some fascinating exhibits. In the museum, I often visit my favorite animal in Florence. It’s Chimera of Arezzo, a hybrid creature uniting the characteristics of many animals, such as a lion, a goat, and a snake.
The Chimera was made approximately 2,400 years ago by the enigmatic Etruscans! They were very skilled in metalwork. The statue was found in the 16th century in Arezzo and Cosimo I of Medici had a special love for it. He used to polish it by himself very often, according to Vasari. It’s very expressive, detailed, and dynamic, and definitely something not to miss in Florence. In fact, even if you cannot visit the museum, you can check out some copies in many antiquity shops in Florence, such as those in Via del Parione, Via dei Fossi, or Via Maggio.
Aside from this, the museum also has a wonderful Egyptian section. If you’re passionate about such topics, I recommend visiting this museum!
Explore the works of art at San Marco Museum
Contributed by Tour Guide, Joanna
San Marco Museum is truly a unique place in Florence! The old convent-turned-museum was reconstructed in the first half of the 15th century. It houses several fascinating things in its cells and rooms. These include:
Frescoes and paintings by Fra Angelico, Dominican, and priest of the convent
The works of Fra Bartolomeo (a photo shows his masterpiece in monochrome)
The cells and personal objects of Girolamo Savonarola, who was executed in Florence in 1498
The great Last Supper by Domenico Ghirlandaio
The library of Michelozzo
Explore Florence Santa Maria Novella (SMN) Train Station and admire its architecture
Contributed by Tour Guide, Joanna
Florence Santa Maria Novella (SMN) Train Station is a place I visit very often, and it is sort of a melting pot in Florence. It often goes unnoticed by tourists. Next time when you’re inside the railway station, take a look around you. You’ll find that it’s a piece of history.
The station will celebrate 100 years in 2034. The project of the new railway station was approved by Mussolini himself and the architects of Gruppo Toscano, among others. Architects such as Giovanni Michelucci worked on it between 1932 and 1934. Let’s not forget Angiolo Mazzoni, who designed the platforms, the details, and many other facilities inside.
The SMN station was thought to be respectful of the architectural contest outside. Pietraforta stones were used as the main element, like for the gothic church of Santa Maria Novella nearby. Inside, you can also see marble, glass, metal, copper, and many other materials. Even the inscriptions, black and white photos, and other decorative elements are original.
Admire the impressive collection of artwork at Museo Stefano Bardini
Contributed by Tour Guide, Joanna
Source: Joanna
Stefano Bardini was an art collector and dealer in Florence, born in the second half of the 19th century. At Museo Stefano Bardini, you can admire a wide variety of objects donated to the city by his successors, including tapestries, ceramics, frames, medieval paintings, weapons, furniture, reliefs, arches, and gilded wood.
The art collection contains mostly artworks from the 15th and 16th centuries, and it proves how beautiful and valued the crafts were at the time.
Visit the lesser-known Chiesa di Santa Maria del Carmine for a non-touristy experience
Contributed by Tour Guide, Joanna
The church of Santa Maria del Carmine in the Oltrarno district is a lesser-known attraction in Florence. It’s home to Brancacci Chapel, which houses outstanding Renaissance frescoes by Masaccio and Masolino da Panicale, later finished by Filippino Lippi.
You have to pay a fee to visit this chapel, but you can enter the church freely in the morning or in the afternoon to admire amazing ceiling decorations. The church also displays some interesting paintings by artists such as Vasari, Poccetti, and Butteri. Interestingly, its facade was never completed.
Take a tour of Casa Martelli
Contributed by Tour Guide, Joanna
Casa or Palazzo Martelli is a well-preserved house that belonged to one of the most important families in Florence, the Martelli. Donatello worked for them in the 15th century, and they were on good terms with the Medici family. The last descendent of the family, one of three sisters, died in 1986, leaving the property to the Church. Now, it’s the property of the Italian State, and since 2009, it has been possible to visit the house.
Step back in time while admiring the frescoes, the paintings, the furniture, and the pictures here. There are still some amazing artworks inside by Mino da Fiesole, Piero Cosimo, Beccafumi, Luca Giordano, Salvator Rosa, Brueghel, Elisabetta Siriani, and many others.
The best part? No ticket is required to enter this house.
Discover Corsini Chapel, a hidden gem
Contributed by Tour Guide, Joanna
Source: Joanna
The church of Santa Maria del Carmine is quite famous because it houses the Brancacci chapel. However, the entrance to the Corsini Chapel is different and almost no one goes there.
The Corsini Chapel was bought and altered in the 17th century at the request of a very wealthy Florentine family, the Corsini. They desired to celebrate their ancestor, the Bishop of Fiesole Andrea Corsini, canonized in 1629. The bas-reliefs above the three altars show three episodes connected to the saint, amongst them the battle of Anghiari. The dome decoration represents St. Andrew in Glory in Paradise and was created by Luca Giordano.
FUN FACT - The Corsini and the Brancacci chapels survived the fire by miracle. Entrance here is free.
History
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