PIAZZALE MICHELANGELO

Piazzale Michelangelo is a square located in Florence, Italy, which was designed by architect Giuseppe Poggi and built in 1869. It sits atop a hill in the Oltrarno district of Florence, offering breathtaking views of the city below. The square is named for the Italian Renaissance artist Michelangelo Buonarroti, who was born in Florence in 1475.

Piazzale Michelangelo is one of the most famous and visited squares in Florence. The square is located on a hill just south of the Arno River, and offers the best views of Florence, with the Duomo, Giotto's bell tower, the Baptistery and the Palazzo Vecchio all in one panorama. It's especially stunning at sunset or during golden hour.

There's also a replica of Michelangelo's statue of David on the square, making for a great photo op. The original David statue is located inside the Accademia Gallery, just a short walk from the square. Piazzale Michelangelo is also home to the Forte di Belvedere, a 16th-century fortress that now houses a museum.

Piazzale Michelangelo is a great place to enjoy the sunset with a glass of wine, or to bring a picnic lunch to enjoy during the day. There are often musicians playing in the piazza, and it is a popular spot for locals and tourists alike.

Highlights

• Take in the incredible views and soak up Florence’s architecture, from the Duomo Cathedral to the Palazzo Vecchio.
• Visit the famous bronze replica of David, which was created by Florentine sculptor Angelo Brozzi in 1864.
• Take a stroll around the square to admire the many sculptures on display. These include works by artists such as Nanni di Banco and Donatello.
• Visit the Fortezza da Basso, a medieval fortress that now houses an art museum and contemporary art gallery.
• Watch the sunset over Florence from Piazzale Michelangelo – it’s an experience you won’t forget!

How To Reach

The nearest airport to Piazzale Michelangelo is Florence Airport. This airport has a single runway and not many flights land here. The nearest international airport is Pisa Airport. Piazza Michelangelo may be reached in two ways from the Florence airport- by train or by car.

-By Train: You could take a train from Peretola Aeroporto to Rosselli. From there, you have to change a couple of buses to reach Piazzale Michelangelo. These trains regularly leave at 10-minute intervals. You could also take a cab directly to the piazza from the Rosselli station.

-By Car: The Florence airport is merely 13.6 km away from Piazzale Michelangelo, and the fastest route to reach the square is by taking a cab from the airport. It will take approximately 19 minutes to reach Piazzale Michelangelo from the airport by car.

- By Bus: If you are in the city center, you could take bus number 12 or 13 up to Piazzale Michelangelo. It will take around 10 minutes to reach the square from City Center.

-By Walking: If you are in the city center of Florence, you can simply hike up from the Piazza Giuseppe Poggi to Piazzale Michelangelo.

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Best Time To Visit

There are specific months and even times of day when a visit to Piazzale Michelangelo is recommended.

-It is better to visit Piazzale Michelangelo in April, May, and September. This is when all the art and music festivals take place in the culturally significant city of Florence. You could also have a romantic open-air dinner on the streets or terraces of Florence! However, this time of the year is accompanied by sky-high hotel rates as it is considered to be the peak season!

-It would be wise not to visit the piazza in winter(December-February) as the temperature drops down to 3 degrees during these months in the city, which can ruin the whole experience of viewing the skyline!

-It is also advisable to visit the square during sunset or late afternoon to see the city in the best light possible!

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Other Essential Information

Location: Piazzale Michelangelo, 50125 Firenze FI, Italy

Opening Hours: 9:30am-1:00pm and from 3pm to 7pm; Sundays 3pm-7pm

Distance from Nearest Airport: 13.6 km via Viadotto del Ponte all' Indiano from Florence Airport

History Of Piazzale Michelangelo

Piazza Michelangelo was constructed in 1869 when Florence was the capital of Italy. One of the best architects of the time, Giuseppe Poggi, was tasked with the construction of the terrace in Florence overlooking the Arno River. Poggi was in awe of Renaissance sculptor Michelangelo and wanted to design the plaza and a museum beside it as a shrine to the great painter! He built both the terrace and the building beside it using the neoclassical style of architecture.

In 1873, bronze copies of the famous David, who is considered as the guardian angel of the town, were hauled up here by oxen. A museum could not be constructed near the square as envisaged by Poggi, but you can find a famous restaurant close to the square!

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View From Piazzale Michelangelo

The sunset view of the city of Florence from Piazzale Michelangelo is indescribable, and that is why this plaza attracts swarms of tourists every year. It offers a panoramic view of the city of Florence, and you can also view some of the major attractions of Florence from this plaza, such as Ponte Vecchio, Forte Belvedere, and the famed bell tower.

You can also have the enthralling view of the two hills Settignano and Fiesole, from this square. This is a classic tourist spot that never fails to mesmerize tourists with its breathtaking views.

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Tips for Visiting Piazzale Michelangelo

1. If you wish to have a memorable visit to Piazzale Michelangelo, then do keep in mind these important tips.

2. Don’t talk loudly or scream once you’re at the square. Try to maintain silence so that people don’t get disturbed because of you.

3. Try to have optimum time in your hand to visit this square as it is one of the greatest visual splendors, and you’ll need optimum time to visit the square in a detailed way.

4. Wear shoes or boots while visiting the square as you might have to climb stairs and walk for a long interval, which will become extremely uncomfortable if you’re wearing heels.

5. If you visit the square by your own vehicle, then make sure to park it only in the parking zone of the Piazzale Michelangelo.

6. Don’t plan your visit to the square during monsoon(October & November) as it showers continuously over here during this season and can entirely ruin your trip.

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Attractions Near Piazzale Michelangelo

Here is a list of some of the hidden gems near Piazzale Michelangelo that you will surely appreciate!

1. Abbazia di San Miniato al Monte- This is one of the most popular basilicas in Florence standing atop one of the highest points in the entire city. It is considered to be the most scenic church and serves as a specimen to the finest Romanesque structures. You can have a spectacular view of the city of Florence from the backside of the church.

It is decorated with white and green marbles in geometric patterns and has three naves, a crypt, and an elevated presbytery. The monumental cemetery of the church both from the front and the backside contains Carlo Lorenzini’s and Collodi’s tombs.

2. Ponte Vecchio- The Ponte Vecchio is the oldest bridge of the Arno, constructed way back in 996 AD. But over time, the bridge has evolved to become an integral part of the heritage of Florence. It has tiny shops selling trinkets, souvenirs, and local handmade artworks.

It also houses the Corridor Vasariano or in English, the Vasari Corridor, which in medieval times, served as a distinction between the common people and the elite class. Beyond the Vasari corridor lived the upper class of Italy- the Medici and Vasari families, who patronized most of Renaissance artwork.

3. The Uffizi Gallery- This is a popular art museum located close to Piazza Della Signoria, and it houses the most incredible collection of artifacts pertaining to the Renaissance period. The museum has been organized as a vast labyrinth of rooms that exhibit the amazing work of art in chronological order.

The halls of Uffizi were firstly only accessible to Grand Ducal families, but now it has been opened for public visits. You can find here an exquisite collection of gems, manuscripts, cameos, and coins.

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4. Giotto’s Campanileto- This is an extremely famous freestanding campanile that is regarded to be one of the best examples of the Gothic style architecture. It has many carved lozenges, and geometric panels, and the sculptural artwork entailed on the exterior of the Campanile and is appreciated by the tourists all around the world. It has a 277 feet high bell tower that is overlaid with green, white, and pink marble.

5. Bargello Museum- This is the favorite haunt of art lovers as it houses impressive works by Donatello, Michelangelo, Verrocchio, and many other artists from the Renaissance period. It also houses a huge collection of sculptures and beautiful paintings, making it one of the most important historical sites in Florence.

It is set in a 13th-century royal palace and houses an interesting collection of ivories, small bronzes, jewelry, maiolica, weaponry busts, and weaponry. The government earlier used the building as police headquarters, but since 1865 it has got the stature of the first national museum in Italy.

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