Page 116 - Lonely Planet Europe’s Best Trips (Travel Guide)

©Lonely Planet Publications Pty Ltd
Galleria dell’Accademia
Before heading into the heart of the
historic centre, take time to salute Flor-
ence’s fabled poster boy. Michelangelo’s
STRETCH David (1504), arguably the most famous
sculpture in the Western world, stands
YOUR LEGS in all his naked glory in the Galleria
dell’Accademia (www.firenzemusei.it; Via
Ricasoli 60; adult/reduced €8/4, incl temporary
FLORENCE exhibition €12.50/6.25; h8.15am-6.50pm
Tue-Sun). He originally guarded Palazzo
Vecchio but was moved here in 1873.
The Walk » From the gallery, head south along
Via Ricasoli, past the Carabé gelateria, down to Via
de’ Pucci. Turn right, skirting past Palazzo Pucci,
as you continue on to Piazza San Lorenzo.
Start/Finish: Galleria
dell’Accademia Basilica di San Lorenzo
A fine example of Renaissance archi-
Distance: 2.5km tecture, the Basilica di San Lorenzo
(Piazza San Lorenzo; €5, incl Biblioteca Medicea
Duration: One day Laurenziana €7.50; h10am-5.30pm Mon-Sat,
plus 1.30-5pm Sun winter) is best known for
its Sagrestia Vecchia (Old Sacristy).
Around the corner, at the rear of the
To get the best out of Florence basilica, the Museo delle Cappelle
Medicee (Medici Chapels; www.firenzemusei.
(Firenze), park your car at Piazza it; Piazza Madonna degli Aldobrandini 6; adult/
della Libertà, and head into the reduced €6/3; h8.15am-1.50pm, closed 2nd &
4th Sun & 1st, 3rd & 5th Mon of month) has some
city’s historic centre on foot. This exquisite Michelangelo sculptures.
tour provides a great introduction The Walk » From Piazza Madonna degli
to the city, passing through its Aldobrandini, head down Via de’ Conti and its
continuation Via F Zanetti to Via de’ Cerretani. Hang
headlining piazzas, basilicas and a left and soon you’ll see Piazza del Duomo ahead.
galleries. Duomo
Florence’s 14th-century Duomo (www.
operaduomo.firenze.it; Piazza del Duomo;
h10am-5pm Mon-Wed & Fri, to 4pm Thu, to
4.45pm Sat, 1.30-4.45pm Sun) is the city’s
most iconic landmark with its pink,
white and green marble facade and
red-tiled dome (adult/reduced incl cupola,
baptistry, campanile, crypt & museum €15/3;
h8.30am-7pm Mon-Fri, to 5.40pm Sat).
Nearby, you can climb the campanile
Take this walk on Trips (h8.30am-7.30pm) and admire the bas-
reliefs on the 11th-century Battistero
123 (Baptistry; h11.15am-7pm Mon-Sat, 8.30am-
2pm Sun & 1st Sat of month).

114