Firenca – Barberino Outlet

Florence (Italian: Firenze, Latin: Florentia) is the capital of the region of Tuscany in Italy. The city lies on the Arno River and is best known for its medieval history as the city-state of Florence, when it was a center of trade and finance and one of the richest cities in Europe, and especially as the cradle of the Italian Renaissance, as evidenced by the city’s numerous monuments. In 1982, UNESCO included the old historic center on the World Heritage List. With its architecture, but also museums (Pitti, Uffizi), gardens, education, music, cuisine, fashion, etc., Florence attracts about a million tourists every year.

Due to its cultural importance, Florence is called the “Italian Athens”. Many famous figures lived there, such as: Dante Alighieri, Giovanni Boccaccio, Donatello, the Medici family, Botticelli, Niccolò Machiavelli, Leonardo da Vinci, Filippo Brunelleschi, Michelangelo, Galileo Galilei and others.

FLORENCE CATHEDRAL

The Duomo, whose full name is Santa Maria del Fiore, is one of the most famous and revered architectural wonders in the world. Located in the heart of the Tuscan city, the Duomo is a symbol of artistic greatness and brilliant engineering of the Italian Renaissance. The dome of the cathedral, designed by architect Filippo Brunelleschi, is one of the greatest architectural masterpieces. At 114 meters high, it offers a breathtaking panoramic view of the city. The construction of the dome was an epoch-making challenge for its time, demonstrating the ingenuity and skill of Renaissance artists. Next to the cathedral is Giotto’s Campanile, a bell tower of extraordinary beauty. Designed by Giotto di Bondone himself, the bell tower is a Gothic marvel with rich decorations and sculptures that tell biblical and historical stories.

Here, in a niche with the Madonna and Child, there is a model of the castle before it was destroyed in the earthquake of 1511. On the opposite side of the square, the Clock Tower overlooks the chapel and the Loggia of San Giovanni . Two large 17th-century statues on the edge of the embankment represent Hercules and Cacus . Crossing the Arco Bollani , built in 1556 to a design by Andrea Palladio , you reach the castle, bypassing the enchanting Porticato del Lippomano.

UFFIZI GALLERY

The Uffizi Gallery (Italian: Galleria degli Uffizi), an art museum and palace (Palazzo degli Uffizi), in Florence. It is located within the historic center of Florence, which has been on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1982. The palace was built in 1560–74 next to the main square Piazza della Signoria by Giorgio Vasari for Grand Duke Cosimo I de’ Medici, and was completed in 1580 by Bernardo Buontalenti.

Built as a complex of buildings consisting of two parallel strips connected by a loggia, which emphasize the perspective length with their architectural elements, it is one of the first buildings built in the spirit of Mannerism. Initially, it housed the offices (Italian: uffizi, hence the name) of Florentine officials and clerks and the spaces where the Medici family kept its art collection, which the sister of the last Grand Duke of that family, Anna Maria Lodovica, left to the city in 1737.

PIAZZA DELLA SIGNORIA

Piazza della Signoria is the main political center of the former Florentine Republic, and today one of the two most famous squares in Florence, surrounded by landmarks such as the Palazzo Vecchio, the Uffizi Gallery, the Loggia dei Lanzi, where the statue of Perseus holding the head of Medusa in his hand is located, and several city palaces.

PALAZZO PITTI

Palazzo Pitti is a Renaissance palace on the south side of the Arno River. It dates back to the 15th century, when it was the home of the wealthy banker Pitti, before being purchased by the Medici family a hundred years later and turned into one of their residences. In the 16th century, the space was doubled, the aforementioned ‘Corridoio Vasariano’ was built, and land was purchased on the Boboli Hill next to the palace to create a garden, today known as the Boboli Gardens, which is adorned with numerous avenues of trees, sculptures and fountains.

PONTE VECCHIO

The Ponte Vecchio, or ‘Old Bridge’, is a medieval structure that connects the two banks of the Arno River. Its current form dates back to the 14th century, while the first written documents mention the bridge as early as the 10th century.

Ponte Vecchio, which translates to Old Bridge, is located in the heart of Florence, and is notable for its unique architecture and rich history. It is considered one of the greatest achievements of European medieval engineering and the oldest European arch bridge. It spans the Arno River and connects the historic center with the lively Olrarno district. Its upper gallery connects the Uffizi Gallery with the Pitti Palace.

What makes it special are the many shops and stores that have been there for centuries. Once, in the past, these were mostly butchers and fishmongers, and today you will find jewelry and jewelry stores on it. Although a bridge seems like an unusual place to set up shop, historically there is a good reason for doing so. Namely, it is believed that in the past shops on the bridge were not subject to paying taxes, because they were practically on “no man’s” land, so the tradition of shopping on Ponte Vecchi has been maintained for centuries.

Santa Maria Novella

The Basilica of Santa Maria Novella is one of the most important churches in Florence and is located in the square of the same name. The religious building and the adjacent monastery formed an important cultural center run by the Dominican order.

The Dominicans arrived in Florence from Bologna, led by Fra’ Giovanni da Salerno, in 1219. In 1221 they acquired the small church of Santa Maria delle Vigne, named after the surrounding farmland (then outside the city walls). The foundation stone of the new, larger building was laid on 18 October 1279, the feast of Saint Luke, with the blessing of Cardinal Latino Malabranza Orsini, and it was completed in the mid-14th century.

BASILICA OF SAINT LAWRENCE

The Basilica of St. Lawrence (Italian: San Lorenzo) is one of the larger Florentine churches known for its Renaissance interior and chapels, in which members of the Medici family are buried.

From iconic fashion brands, such as Prada, Gucci, Armani, Fendi, Polo Ralph Lauren, Jil Sander, Roberto Cavalli and Paul Smith, to sports brands, such as Nike and The North Face, to street style, such as Guess and Desigual.

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Hotel Indigo Florence by IHG 4*

Embrace the perfect blend of modern sophistication and infamous Florentine charm at Hotel Indigo Florence, our 4-star lifestyle hotel located in the historic district of Santa Maria Novella. In addition to the famous, nearby Duomo and Uffizi, embrace the city’s artistic heritage as you explore gems like the Basilica of Santa Maria Novella and soak up the local atmosphere of this Tuscan capital.

Enjoy exceptional cuisine at our Binomio restaurant, complete with a stunning wine cellar for intimate tastings. Host unforgettable events in our elegant meeting spaces, designed for small and large gatherings. Inspired by Florence’s artistic heritage, our exceptional rooms and suites are uniquely designed to seamlessly blend comfort and contemporary elegance.

With state-of-the-art amenities and lush gardens, we blend luxury, creativity and comfort to provide you with an unforgettable authentic Florentine experience.