Top 10 Things To Do in Tuscany

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Siena's painting gallery houses the most representative collection of the Sienese school of art. It wouldn't be fair to label it a museum of second-rate paintings by first-rate artists, but the supreme masterpieces of Siena do lie elsewhere. It's laid out more or less chronologically starting on the second floor, though the museum is constantly rearranging (especially the last bits), and there are rumors that all the collections will eventually be moved to the Ospedale di Santa Maria della Scala.

Room 1 contains the first definite work of the Sienese school, a 1215 altar frontal by the "Maestro di Teresa," and one of the earliest known paintings on canvas, Guido da Siena's Scenes from the Life of Christ (late 1200s). Rooms 3 and 4 have works by the first great Sienese master, Duccio, including an early masterpiece showing Cimabue's influence, the tiny 1285 Madonna dei Francescani (in poor condition, it's kept under glass). Rooms 5 to 8 pay homage to the three great early-14th-century painters, Simone Martini and the brothers Pietro and Ambrogio Lorenzetti. Of Martini, be sure to look at the Madonna and Child (1321) from the Pieve di San Giovanni Battista and the Altar of Beato Agostino...

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Housed in the walled-up right aisle of the Duomo's abortive new nave, Siena's Duomo museum contains all the works removed from the facade for conservation as well as disused altarpieces, including Duccio's masterpiece. It also offers one of the city's best views. The ground floor has the fascinating but weather-beaten facade statues by Giovanni Pisano and his school (1284-96), remarkable for their Gothic plasticity and craned, elongated necks. (When they were 15m/50 ft. up in niches, these protruding necks made sure their faces were visible from the ground.) In the center of the room is Jacopo della Quercia's last work, a 1438 marble panel of Cardinal Casini Presented to the Virgin by St. Anthony Abbot. Also here is a luminous marble tondo of the Madonna and Child carved in refined schiacciato relief. Most scholars now agree it's the work of Donatello. There are more statues out a side door, but that leads to the exit, so first head up the stairs.

Upstairs is the museum's (if not the city's) masterpiece, Duccio's Maestà. It's impossible to overstate the importance of this double-sided altarpiece, now separated and displayed on opposite sides of the intimate room. Not only did it virtually...

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This has been an ongoing work par excellence. It was begun at the start of the 14th Century but additions have been made almost up until the present day. In addition, while some parts were being added, others were being restored. It is therefore a miracle that the unique Gothic lines of the stone and brick building have not been lost in the process. The Civic Museum inside holds the "Majesty" by Simone Martini. The Sala della Pace (Room of Peace) is the location of the "Allegory of Government" by Ambrogio Lorenzetti which is the largest non-religious pictorial cycle from all of the Middle Ages. This cycle alone would merit a visit, even if there were nothing to see but thankfully there is much more on offer. The visiting hours vary seasonally, please check the website for exact timings.

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The Duomo as it is seen today stands on a plot of land that has always been dedicated to religion. Archaeological research has shown that there was a temple built here as early as the 3rd Century. The church of Santa Maria was built on top of that, and then the current Duomo, which was begun at the end of the 12th Century. It is based on a Latin cross design with three naves. The polychrome marble facade is quite extraordinary. The entrance to the Libreria Piccolomini can be found in the nave on the left. The cathedral must absolutely be seen. The area dedicated to religious functions is enclosed and must not be entered during Mass as a sign of respect. Photographs are not allowed inside and all mobile 'phones should be turned off whether services are being held or not. Admission: Free, EUR 5.50 when the floor is uncovered. Open March 15-October, daily 9am to 7:30pm and from November to march 14, daily, 10am to 1pm and 2:30pm to 5pm.

Our Local Expert Says:

"The jewelry is superb and really expensive on the Ponte Vecchio. Grab your camera and catch the Tuscan Hills alive and rolling beyond the city center."

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You can't miss the most recognizable landmark of Florence, the Ponte Vecchio. Constructed in 1345, the Ponte Vecchio is the oldest bridge still standing in Florence, hence the name. The multicolored structure bridge was first home to butcher shops. As the noble bankers would cross the Arno river to their offices, there was a rancid smell of pigs blood and rotted meat which extremely offended them. In an effort to improve the area, the Medici stepped in and ordered the lower class shopkeepers out and moved goldsmiths and diamond-cutters in. Ponte Vecchio is the only bridge that escaped the bombing by the Germans in WWII. Today, now a pedestrian bridge, the shops shimmer and shine with necklaces, rings and charms of the most expensive kind. Tourists can enjoy an early morning walk over the bridge before the shops open or at sunset where lovers stare at the horizon as musicians sing and be merry.

Our Local Expert Says:

David is the biggest and the most famous spectacle to see in the Accademia.

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The Accademia is most famous for the David by Michelangelo but did you know there are many paintings in the museum to see as well? As you enter, the first long hall is devoted to Michelangelo and, though you pass his Slaves and the entrance to the painting gallery, most people are drawn down to the far end, a room dominated by the most famous sculpture in the world: Michelangelo's David . Michelangelo, only 29 years old, finished in 1504 a Goliath-size David for the city of Florence. Michelangelo's most fascinating works, the four famous nonfiniti ("unfinished") Slaves. These statues symbolize Michelangelo's theory that sculpture is an "art that takes away superfluous material." The wait to see the David can be up to an hour if you don't reserve ahead. I suggest getting there before the museum opens in the morning or an hour or two before closing time. read more

Our Local Expert Says:

"You can see the hill town Fiesole and end of the Appennine Mountains from the Piazzale."

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The vista which one can see the whole valley of Florence and of the surrounding hills is a must see. The climb up is rewarding, the view is breathtaking. There are buses available to take you to Piazzale Michelangelo. Tourists, tourist groups and tour buses all congregate at this panoramic view. Vendors set up early in the morning with cool beverages for the parched tourists and souvenirs for the eager shoppers. A sunset visit is for the romantics, bringing a wine bottle and gazing at the Florentine sky as it ends another day. There is never a bad time to visit Piazzale Michelangelo, there is always something to see from this height

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For centuries, people have commented that Florence's cathedral is turned inside out, its exterior boasting Brunelleschi's famous dome, Giotto's bell tower, and a festive cladding of white, green, and pink marble, but its interior left spare, almost barren.

By the late 13th century, Florence was feeling peevish: Its archrivals Siena and Pisa sported huge new Duomos filled with art while it was saddled with the tiny 5th- or 6th-century Santa Reparata as a cathedral. So, in 1296, the city hired Arnolfo di Cambio to design a new Duomo, and he began raising the facade and the first few bays before his death in 1302. Work continued under the auspices of the Wool Guild and architects Giotto di Bondone (who concentrated on the bell tower) and Francesco Talenti (who finished up to the drum of the dome and in the process greatly enlarged Arnolfo's original plan). The facade we see today is a neo-Gothic composite designed by Emilio de Fabris and built from 1871 to 1887 (for its story, see the Museo dell'Opera del Duomo).

The Duomo's most distinctive feature is its enormous dome [STSTST], which dominates the skyline and is a symbol of Florence itself. The raising of this dome, the largest in the...

Our Local Expert Says:

The main room Cinquecento was designed a welcoming room with frescoes of Florentine victories on the walls.

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The palazzo's construction began in 1299 and it was enlarged repeatedly - in 1343, 1495 and lastly in the 16th century by Vasari and Buontalenti. It has been the symbol and the political centre of the city for centuries. The Great room of the Cinquecento stands out, the work of Cronaca, it was designed as a reception area and decorated with frescoes celebrating Florentine victories against the other Tuscan cities and with sculptures depicting the deeds of Hercules by De Rossi. On the upper floors the Quarters of the elements are noteworthy as are those of Eleanor of Toledo who was the wife of Cosimo I and to whom the little chapel by Bronzino is dedicated. The Gigli room and the Audience room, which has a marble entrance, are sumptuous. On the Mezzanine there is the Loeser collection of painted sculptures. It is recommended that you visit the upper balcony where you can enjoy a fabulous view of Florence. In front of the museum, you'll find a copy of Michelangelo's David.