Page 14 - ZA Magazine January 2022

FLORENCE

Florence, the city of art (this is where the Italian Renaissance movement was born) and beautiful
buildings, it's a place whose charm surpasses even Rome for many. The Tuscan capital is almost always
crowded, but it has "that something" that allows you to forget about the thousands of other visitors and
enjoy the narrow streets, palaces, and general hustle and bustle .

Almost immediately after leaving the main train station, we come across one of the most important monuments of the
Tuscan capital - the Dominican monastery complex. It consists of: the Basilica of Santa Maria Novella, a museum in the
convent rooms, a courtyard, and a fragment of the monastery cemetery. And just a short walk from the basilica, we find a
hidden treasure of Florence, one of the oldest operating pharmacies in the world - Officina Profumo - Farmaceutica di
Santa Maria Novella.

Florence's most famous attraction is the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore (Duomo). The Florentine temple is the fourth
largest church in the world, and its facade and dome are some of the most recognizable symbols of the capital of Tuscany,
and even Italy itself.

Being in the Cathedral Square (Piazza del Duomo), do not miss the late Gothic Loggia Bigallo (Loggia del Bigallo). This
building belonged to a charity and its covered part had a sad destiny. It served as a place to leave behind sick and
unwanted children. Today, the structure impresses with its beautiful reliefs and decorations.

The historic centre of Florence stretches south from the cathedral as far as the Arno River, and it is here that the second-
largest symbol of the city is located - the Vecchio Palace (Palazzo Vecchio). The building was built in the 14th century and
initially served as a town hall. The Vecchio Palace is located in the enormous Piazza Della Signoria, famous for the Neptune
Fountain and the Loggia Dei Lanzi open sculpture gallery.