During any visit to Florence one of the spots that definitely should be covered is Piazzale Michelangelo, which holds the high ground over the city from the south bank of the Arno. The square is famous for its views, which you will see printed on postcards and posters throughout the city.
The Piazza was designed by Giuseppe Poggi and was built in the year 1869, making it one of the more recent sights in the city. The square was built as part of the urban renewal of the city that was occurring during the period, as Florence had been made capital of a united Italy and great works of restoration and improvement were instituted throughout the city. Piazzale Michelangelo gains it name from the copy of the David statue, which sits in the middle of the square. This bronze copy which sits on a pedestal, was hauled up to the square by nine set of oxen in 1873, using the new tree lined boulevards that were also constructed as part of the project.
Today, the square is a great place to relax and take in the almost overwhelming panoramic vista of the city. Almost all the major sites of Florence are visible from the overlook, from the Oltrarno district and the Santo Spirito tower on the left, all the way to the Synagogue and the Stadio on the far right. Our recommendation is to visit the square sometime around sunset, when you can get great views of the city with the red glow of the sun enhancing the red tile roofs in addition to lighting up the Arno. Then, stay until nightfall to watch the city lights come on. You will be hard pressed to find a more amazing place to relax and enjoy la dolce vita.
The Piazza is not by itself on top of the hill however, and we encourage you to explore around this unique area. One of the spots worth visiting is San Miniato al Monte which is a basilica only a short walk uphill from the square. Construction on this Romanesque church began in the 11th Century, while frescoes and cloisters were added on as late as the 15th Century. The interior of the church is very different than the other churches you may have seen while in Florence, as this is not a Renaissance design. A trussed and coffered ceiling is the first thing that you will notice, as this is a style not seen elsewhere in Florence. Another unique feature is that the choir is raised above a large crypt, whose entrance is basically at ground level. The apse of the church is decorated by an enormous mosaic from the 13th Century, while the center of the nave is home to the Cappella del Crocefisso or Chapel of the Crucifix, which was designed by Michelozzo in 1448. The church also offers additional spectacular views of the city, and is definitely worth the short climb up the stairs for a visit.
Our Tips
• Getting to Piazzale Michelangelo can be done in several different ways. You can walk up either of the tree lined roads leading from either Piazza Ferrucci or Porta Romana. This is a pleasant, uphill walk that will get you out of the bustle of the city relatively quickly. Other ways of ascent are the stairs that climb from below the square, or by taking the bus. Bus number 13 from the Piazza Ferrucci side or number 12 from the Porta Romana side will get you to the square.
• Once up at the square, there are some souvenir shops and some snack carts around, so bring some change!
