Florence school tour

The city of Florence, in the heart of Tuscany, has attracted artists and scholars since the 13th Century. Modern Florence reflects this rich artistic and cultural heritage and its many museums, galleries and buildings chronicle the advance of the Renaissance.

This beautiful city is easily and best explored on foot. Florence is ideal for combining with a visit to Venice for a multi-centre Art tour. Please telephone us for more details.

Art Excursions

Uffizi Museum

The Uffizi needs little introduction to art lovers, only to say, it is one of the oldest and most famous art museums in the Western world and showcases Renaissance masterpieces, the work of da Vinci, Titian and Botticelli. The Uffizi was built in 1560 to be the offices of Florentine magistrates, which is where the word "uffizi" comes from (meaning offices). All the art work is displayed chronologically which makes it easier for students and teachers to appreciate the development of artistic technique and style throughout the ages.

Accademia Gallery

Originally a 14th century hospital, the academy was founded in 1784. The Galleria houses a vast collection of sculptures and paintings, including Michelangelo’s "David." This famous statue was intended to be an outside decoration for Florence Cathedral, but it actually became a symbol of the commitment of the Florentine state to freedom, independence and as a sign of Medici's defeat in 1494. It also includes paintings from 200 BC to 500BC, plaster cast collections from Lorenzon Bartolini and Luigi Pampaloni, a collection of Russian icons and paintings from the Middle Ages, Renaissance and early 17th century. We recommend you bring a list of names on school headed paper.

Palazzo Pitti

The Medici family, despite paying lots of money towards the development of the Palazzo Pitti, did not move in properly until 1589. Before moving in, Cosimo Medici asked his architect to construct a bridge from the Palazzo Vecchio so he did not have to worry about mingling with commoners when moving between the two buildings. It was Leopold Hapsburg Lorraine that decided to open the west wing, where the ancient Medici apartments were, to the public, where they organised the works of the different Medici collections so it was suitable for visitors. Meanwhile, the east wing still operated as a court. In 1919, when the palace was a Savoy Royal Residence, the rooms on the second floor were opened up and the Modern art gallery was founded. Visit the Palatine Gallery for the important Florentine and Venetian art works including Raffaello's "The Veiled Lady" and several works by Tiziano. 

San Lorenzo and Santa Maria Novella Churches

Visit these ancient religious houses for a glimpse of the bronze pulpits created by Donatello, a stunning staircase by Michelangelo and the richly decorated Medici Chapels.

The  Basilica of San Lorenzo is situated at the heart of Florence's main market district and is one of the oldest churches in the whole of the city, consecrated in 393 AD. It has variously been the Medici family parish church and the city cathedral and is now regarded as one of the purest Renaissance churches in Florence. Visit the Sagresta Vecchia (Old Sacristy), the oldest part of the church and the Sagrestia Nuova (New Sacristy), desgined by Michelangelo, who also designed the Medici tombs inside. The grandest part of the Lorenzo Basilica is the Cappelle Medici, which the Medici family were still paying for when the last of the family line died in 1743. 

The Church of Santa Maria is one of the most important Gothic churches in Tuscany. The exterior shows off the work of Fra Jacopo Talenti and Leon Battista Alberti, whilst a trip inside will reveal some real artistic treasures, including Masaccio's "Trinita," Ghirlandaio's fescoe cycle and Giotto's "Crucifix." 

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Il Duomo

Known as the Santa Maria del Fiore, Florence's cathedral is one of the most impressive Gothic buildings throughout the city, with a dome added in the fifteenth century, which at the time of construction was larger than any other dome in the world and was built without the aid of scaffolding - a huge feat of engineering for its time. It was supposed to have an eight sided balcony skirting its circumference, but when Michelangelo, whose opinion on artistic matters was the only opinion that mattered, commented that it looked like a "cricket cage," construction of the balcony was never completed. It was built on the site of the 7th century church, Santa Reparata, the remains of which can still be seen in the crypt. Have a look at the fifteenth century clock, located inside and above the entrance hall, which shows that, at that time, the twenty-fourth hour of the day ended at sunset! The best way to see the dome, as well as a fantastic view of Florence, is to climb its 463 steps, which offer you an opportunity to admire the painted frescoes close-up.

Ponte Vecchio

The current bridge dates back to the fourteenth century when it had to be rebuilt due to a flood and ever since then it has been home to goldsmiths, silversmiths and jewellers. During World War II the Ponte Vecchio was the only bridge across the Arno that was not destroyed by the Germans and in 1966 the bridge survived yet another battering when the Arno River once again burst its banks. Go down the Corridoio Vasariano, and walk in the path of the Medici family as they moved along their secret passageway from the Palazzo Vecchio to the Palazza Pitti avoiding the common town's people. A walk along the bridge would work well with a trip to the magnificent Uffizi.

Pisa

A trip to Pisa is an excellent visit to do either from or to the airport. Go and explore the Leaning tower, the Baptistry and  the Cathedral.

The city of Pisa has variously experienced periods of high prosperity and extreme lack of wealth and power. Under Octavian's reign during the Roman Empire the city flourished largely because its port was dramatically developed and improved. However, it was during the 11th and 12th centuries that Pisa saw the peak of its success and this was when its most famous monuments and buildings were constructed. It became one of the most important naval powers throughout the Mediterranean and had a series of naval victories that gave Pisa increasing power and status. Unfortunately, the Battle of Meloria, in1284, signalled the end of Pisa's pre-eminence as it became overshadowed by neighbouring regions such as Florence. In 1406 Florence took Pisa and as a result the city fell under Medici rule leading to a period of recovery. In the 1500s Pisa's famous university was built where Galileo Galilei later studied.

The Leaning Tower of Pisa was designed as a bell tower for the cathedral and although construction began in 1174, it was not completed until the fourteenth century. In 1185 the supporting terrain already began to show signs of weakening and so construction was called off for almost a century. In 1990 its gradient reached a concerning 4.5 metres and resulted in the tower being closed for restoration due to safety concerns. It reopened in 2001 after eleven years of hard graft reduced its lean by 40 cm.

The people of Pisa began building the Baptistery in 1152, but once again, construction lasted until the end of the fourteenth century, which meant that the Baptistry is rather mixed in style: Romanesque and Gothic.

The Duomo was built between the 11th and 12th centuries, but since then has been subject to huge restructuring, particularly after the great fire of 1595. It is a Gothic masterpiece with a beautiful dome of clear Islamic influence and is well worth a visit.

San Gimignano

This 14th Century town, surrounded by the Tuscan countryside is a beautiful place to spend a day - full of character, with towers, palaces and narrow streets. The town began to really be able to call itself a town in the 10th century, but it was during the Middle Ages that it began to prosper as the trading and pilgrim's route both crossed its path. However, in 1348 San Gimignano's population was dramatically decreased in an epidemic of the Black Death which threw the city into turmoil and led to its submission to Florence in 1353. Visit the beautiful Romanesque Duomo and the People's Palace which today houses the Town Council, the Civic Museum and is an art-lover's paradise, as many of the paintings from the Florentine and Sienese schools are kept there.

Assisi

Assisi, although small, is one of the most famous and popular destinations, particularly for Italian tourists. It is best known as the birthplace of St. Francis of Assissi, who is the patron saint of Italy and the founder of the Franciscan order. The main attraction is the Basilica di Francesco, which contains the relics of Francis and beautiful frescoes depicting his life, but there are at least seven other churches in the town which are all worth visiting for their beauty, history and connection with Francis. Assis's simple beauty alone makes this old walled city with its Roman ruins, medieval streets and sacred shrines a lovely choice on an Italian tour. 

 

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