Florence
The magic of a unique place in the world
Originally it was “Florentia”, which from an ancient Roman colony, is today one of the most important cities in Italy and in the world for its various artistic treasures: churches, museums, bridges, palaces, all easily reachable on foot from the center.
We offer you three itineraries, which touch practically all the attractions of Florence worthy of a visit, during your stay at Hotel CHC Florence.
Historic center
From Hotel CHC Florence, with buses n° 29-30-35, you get off directly at the Santa Maria Novella station, and on foot straight away, you are immersed in a magical atmosphere of times gone by.
From the Church of Santa Maria Novella, continuing after Piazza della Repubblica, you cannot miss a visit to the Church of Santa Maria del Fiore, known by most as the Duomo of Florence, the fourth largest church in the world and which overlooks the city, also with its unique panorama, from Brunelleschi’s Dome or Giotto’s bell tower; a few meters away, is the Baptistery of St. John the Baptist.
From Piazza della Repubblica, going towards the Arno, you reach the renowned Piazza della Signoria, which houses the Palazzo Vecchio, the “Loggia dei Lanzi” and the Uffizi Gallery, home to the most important art collections in Italy and the world.
The Vasari Corridor, an elevated, covered path built by Vasari, runs from Palazzo Vecchio along the Ponte Vecchio until it meets Palazzo Pitti and the Boboli Gardens.
Santa Croce District and the Florence of the Medicis
Staying in the center, we shift our attention to one of the most beautiful churches in the city: the Basilica of Santa Croce and the square of the same name where the monument to Dante Alighieri stands out.
A few minutes away is the Bargello National Museum, which houses interesting and varied works (busts, ceramics, goldsmith work, ivories) by renowned artists.
A little further on, crossing Piazza del Duomo, you can delve into the Florence of the De’ Medici family, the Medici Chapels, the Palazzo of the same name, the Basilica of San Lorenzo and the Galleria dell’Accademia, inside which you can admire the original David by Michelangelo, an exceptional expression of architectural genius.
"Dilladarno" today the Oltrarno
Just outside the center, you will cross the Arno, stop on the romantic Ponte Vecchio, home to ancient goldsmith shops, and continue to the Oltrarno, the “newer” part of Florence.
Spend a day at the Boboli Gardens, behind Palazzo Pitti, former residence of the Grand Duchy of Tuscany during the Medici family and residence of Vittorio Emanuele II when Florence was capital, which today houses several and frequent art collections. Or climb the hill behind Piazzale Michelangelo to the Church and Sanctuary of San Miniato al Monte for an incredible view of Florence.
The world of events in Florence
The appeal of this city is not only artistic and architectural, but also food and wine, fashion, craftsmanship, contemporary culture, as well as linked to the world of events in general.
The Fortezza da Basso has recently been converted into an avant-garde exhibition area.
The Fortezza da Basso is home to the Florentine exhibition center and hosts fairs, congresses, conventions and various international initiatives, among the most famous those linked to the world of fashion such as “Pitti Immagine Uomo”.
The Palazzo dei Congressi is located in the 19th-century Villa Vittoria, built by order of the Strozzi family and located a few steps from the historic center of the city and next to the Santa Maria Novella railway station. The building, surrounded by a park, is complemented by a splendid Auditorium that can accommodate up to 1.000 people.
Also connected is the Palazzo degli Affari, a multipurpose and flexible structure with an area of over 4.000 m2 with a total capacity of 1.800 people, capable of hosting conferences and exhibitions, poster sessions, press rooms, high fashion shows as well as business lunches and gala dinners. Worthy of note is the attic of the Palace, from which you can admire the entire splendid panorama of the city of Florence and the large centuries-old park.