Florence Panoramic City

7 August 2020 Florence

What does a dove flying over the skies of Florence see? How many times have we stood with our noses pointing skywards watching a flock of birds, perhaps on a beautiful clear day, wishing we could be that high up, with that view, seeing everything from a different perspective?

We are all struck by beautiful views when we look at the world from on high. Just imagine what surprises a magnificent city packed with history and architectural marvels like Florence can offer us.

HOW TO SEE MAGNIFICENT FLORENCE FROM ABOVE

There are various options and viewpoints in Florence for lovers of heights and breathtaking views. Florence’s monuments offer an artistic and visual treat from the top of its domes and towers, with views stretching away over the beauty of the city towards the hills surrounding it, as if we were flying.

Starting from Piazza del Duomo, the tour includes climbing to the top of Brunelleschi’s Dome, the Cathedral Terrace and Giotto’s Bell Tower. The views extend as far as you can see, over a feast of art, architecture, faith and history towards roofs and hills.

HOW TO ENJOY A VIEW OF FLORENCE

A walk through the birthplace and the heart of the Renaissance to discover the secrets held within the marble of the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore and up to the top to enjoy Brunelleschi’s masterpiece from close up. This exclusive guided tour will teach you about the history and 15th-century art that led to the construction of Florence’s magnificent cathedral, while the 150 steps lead to the outside terraces at a height of 30 metres, offering a panoramic view of all of the city’s monuments. The breath-taking sight of Brunelleschi’s splendid dome will be a memory that will stay with you.

A patient climb up a further 414 steps in Giotto’s bell tower leads to a height of 84.70 metres. This spectacular example of 14th-century Gothic Florentine art with its white, red and green marble stands in Piazza del Duomo. Each of the three intermediate floors on the way up offers a fantastic changing panoramic view.

Hotel Palazzo Castri 1874 - Boutique Hotel

The walking tour continues to the Tower of San Niccolò in Piazza Poggi, with its 160 steps. We recommend taking time to visit the splendid Basilica of

Santa Croce. Across the Arno you will come to the panoramic terrace in Piazzale Michelangelo. Here the romantic view makes anyone feel as though they have wings made by Michelangelo.

Below this terrace is the Tower of San Niccolò, which still stands at its original height, whereas all the other gates with watchtowers such as this one were shortened in the16th century to prevent them being an easy target during the siege of 1529, when gunpowder had just been introduced. San Niccolò was spared because it was the only tower protected by the hill of San Miniato.

The attractive exterior of the tower features crenellations, niches and emblems. Inside there are three arches, one per floor, decorated with 14th-century frescoes. It is an enjoyable climb and offers a bird’s eye view of Florence and the surrounding area.

A PANORAMIC TOUR OF FLORENCE

A tour of Florence from up high – from its roofs, domes and terraces – is ideal in September when the sky is generally clear and the city is dressed in the warm colours of summer, the season that seems to leave behind it an indelible mark, the days ending with fiery sunsets. In September the weather is enjoyably mild and temperate with cool breezes making the climb upwards more manageable, as it is not until we reach the top that our breath is taken away by the spectacular view. Reopening these attractions offers visitors to Florence the chance to go on a Panoramic Tour on which to feast our eyes and with which to fill our smartphone cameras.