Piazza di Santa Croce

Museums & Exhibitions

Cross the threshold of an ancient monumental complex founded by the Franciscans in the early thirteenth century. The complex is still perfectly preserved to this day. See famous works of art and be inspired by this unique complex, where art, tradition, and spirituality are all intertwined. There are thousands of masterpieces of inestimable value that, over the centuries, have made Santa Croce a unique place and an unmissable destination from the time of the 'Grand Tour' up until the modern day. Discover works by Cimabue, Giotto, Brunelleschi, Donatello Bronzino, Vasari, and Canova. Be inspired by the monumental tombs the greatest historical figures in Italy including Dante, Machiavelli, Michelangelo, Galileo, Alfieri, Rossini, and Foscolo. Enter the Pazzi Chapel, designed by Filippo Brunelleschi, one of the most famous architects of the Renaissance period. Walk through the ancient cenacle and experience the atmosphere of the Franciscan convent whilst crossing through the cloisters.

Meet your expert guide in the heart of the ancient Roman city, the Piazza della Repubblica, where you will learn about the city’s foundation. Walk to Orsanmichele, a Medieval church with iconic Renaissance sculptures on its ornate facade, including work by the famous Donatello. At Piazza della Signoria you can hear the stories behind the Renaissance fountain, the statues and the Palazzo Vecchio which dominates the square with its soaring tower. Just beyond the palace is the Uffizi, a fine example of Renaissance architecture. Cross the Uffizi courtyard to reach the banks of the Arno River and admire the famous Ponte Vecchio, the oldest bridge in town. Make a stop at Piazza Santa Croce. Once the stage for jousting tournaments, today it hosts the official sport of the city, Calcio Storico: an exciting mix of soccer, rugby and wrestling. The itinerary continues through the Medieval streets to the Bargello, then on to reach the Cathedral Square. Stop here to admire the record-breaking dome built by Filippo Brunelleschi and learn all about its construction. Just steps away from the Cathedral Square lies the Palazzo Medici. Learn about the history of the Medici family and how they created a golden age in Florence. See the beautiful palace courtyard with its elegant Renaissance architecture and ornamentation. The last stop on the itinerary is the church of San Lorenzo. With a foundation dating back to the 4th century, this was the original cathedral of Florence.

Meet in Piazza Santa Croce where the congregation containing Michelangelo's tomb will be found. You will investigate the downtown area, stop at the Ponte Vecchio connect and devour your eyes on the heart ceasing view over the slopes that circle Florence. At this point, you will stroll by the town lobby and the astounding Loggia in Piazza della Signoria, the political heart of Florence. On one side, you will appreciate the famous Uffizi Gallery, once the Great Duke's base camp, at that point Palazzo Vecchio, the notable seat of the Florentine Government. The visit will then proceed to the old market where you will play with good fortunes with Porcellino. You will see Piazza della Repubblica and visit the great cathedral. The congregation includes superbly saved, novel marble inscriptions, Brunelleschi's dome and most importantly, a supernatural occurrence of engineering, an image of the Renaissance development in Florence due to its challenging plan and difficult acknowledgment. The tour will be partly outdoors and indoors and include a visit of the Academy Gallery to see the statue of David.

After disembarking from your cruise ship and being greeted at the pier by your guide, you will make your way to Pisa. Upon your arrival at Pisa, your first visit will be to the cathedral complex in the magnificent Piazza dei Miracoli. It is a large square which is home to the Leaning Tower, the Baptistery, and the beautiful Cathedral. There you can see with your own eyes the incredible tower that was designed as a bell tower for the neighboring cathedral, which would have stood 185 feet high. There are 297 spiral-staircase steps inside the tower leading to the top. If you wish to climb the tower, don't hesitate to ask your guides to reserve the skip-the-line admission. Your tour in Florence will begin as you visit the Piazzale Michelangelo terrace, which portrays a glorious panorama of the city. Once in the old-town pedestrian center, you will encounter the immense Cathedral of S. Maria del Fiore. This Cathedral is one the major attraction for tourists, and is one of the largest churches in Italy. Until the modern era, the dome was the largest in the world. It remains the largest brick dome ever constructed, thanks to the genius of Brunelleschi who completed it in 1432. Moving on, you will see Giotto's Bell Tower, the Baptistery, and the Piazza della Signoria. After viewing the scenic and iconic Ponte Vecchio (Old Bridge) on the Arno river, you'll continue to the enormous Piazza Santa Croce. In Roman times, this place was used to execute heretics, but the square now boasts numerous charming boutiques. The Galleria dell'Academia is one of the top museums in Florence mainly because it is the home to Michelangelo's David sculpture. Once having completed your tour of the Accademia, you will enjoy a relaxing drive across the Tuscan region on your way back to the Port of Livorno.