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About these Sites
Florence, a hub for international study abroad students, offers a rich tapestry of Renaissance history and culture. While exploring this captivating city, be sure to visit these four hidden gems, often overlooked yet brimming with beauty and tradition.
Locations to Visit
Estimated Time: 4 hours
Piazzale Michelangelo
A Monumental View: Views from Piazzale Michelangelo
Piazzale Michelangelo, Florence's famous panoramic point, offers stunning city views and features bronze replicas of Michelangelo's works, including the iconic David.
Designed by architect Giuseppe Poggi during the 1870s urban renewal, it was intended as a monument to Michelangelo, with a loggia now serving as a cafe. Accessible via Viale Galileo, Viale Michelangiolo, or the Rompe del Poggi, it provides breathtaking vistas of Santa Maria del Fiore's dome. Nearby, Villa Bardini's gardens offer a serene escape.
Basilica of San Miniato
San Miniato al Monte: The Romanesque Beauty Overlooking Florence
Close to Piazzale Michelangelo is the Basilica San Miniato al Monte, a Romanesque church built in 1015 atop Saint Minias's tomb. The facade, dating back to 1090, features green, white, and black marble in geometric patterns. The guild of wool importers funded its completion, adding their symbol above the pediment.
Inside, the Byzantine-style apse mosaic, marble zodiac floor, and Saint Minias's relics in the crypt are notable. The site offers a panoramic view of Florence and houses the Cemetery of the Porte Sante, where notable figures like Carlo Collodi are buried.
One can also pay tribute to the relics of San Miniato
Mercato di Sant'Ambrogio
Sant'Ambrogio Market: A Timeless Gem in Florence's Urban Landscape
The Sant'Ambrogio market, Florence’s oldest market, was inaugurated on May 29, 1873, predating the San Lorenzo market by a year. Located in the Piazza Ghiberti, it features a historic cast iron and glass structure designed by Giuseppe Mengoni.
Originally a livestock market, it was transformed during the city's 19th-century renovation, reflecting the urban planning inspired by Paris. Though its role has shifted over time, Sant'Ambrogio remains a vibrant hub for fresh food, local goods, and neighborhood life, attracting both residents and tourists.
Church of Santi Apostoli
Santi Apostoli: Florence’s Historic Haven for University Students
The Romanesque church of Santi APostoli, one of Florence's oldest, is steeped in legend and history. Believed to be founded by charlemagne, though documented in 1075, it stands near the ancient Roman baths in Piazza del Limbo.
The church features fine marble columns, a tabernacle by Giovanni della Robbia, and three flints linked to the SCoppio del Carro festival. Despite its modest size, its solemn interior, with a painted timber roof and 15th - 16th century chapels, exudes historical gravitas. The facade, remodeled in the 16th century by Benedetto da Rovezzano, complements its ancient architectural elements, making it a fascinating blend of old and new.
Santi Apostoli is home to the Legionaries of Christ who serves an English speaking population serving University students through their Upper Room program.