Jan. 9, 2025

149. Italy - Florence - Florence's Must-See Museums: David, Uffizi & Hidden Treasures

Show Notes
Transcript

Explore Florence's incredible museums with insider tips from Johnny Mac! Learn the best times to visit Michelangelo's David, navigate the vast Uffizi Gallery like a pro, and discover lesser-known museums that tourists often miss. Includes time-saving strategies and secret spots for the best views.

For our recommended Florence tours, visit Our Guide

To enjoy this episode commercial-free, visit caloroga.com/plus

WEBVTT

1
00:00:03.120 --> 00:00:16.640
Callaroga Shark Media. Hey there, fellow travelers. Johnny Mack back

2
00:00:16.640 --> 00:00:20.359
with you for our third and final episode exploring Beautiful Florence.

3
00:00:20.399 --> 00:00:23.239
After walking the charming streets in our first episode and

4
00:00:23.320 --> 00:00:26.399
conquering the Duomo stairs in our second, today we're diving

5
00:00:26.440 --> 00:00:28.800
into some of the most incredible art and architecture you'll

6
00:00:28.800 --> 00:00:33.320
ever see. We're talking Michelangelo's David, the stunning with Fizzi Gallery,

7
00:00:33.399 --> 00:00:37.200
and some hidden gems that most tourists miss. Let's kick

8
00:00:37.240 --> 00:00:40.439
things off with the big guy himself, Michelangelo's David. Now,

9
00:00:40.479 --> 00:00:42.320
I know you've probably seen pictures, but let me tell

10
00:00:42.320 --> 00:00:45.119
you something. Nothing prepares you for seeing this masterpiece in

11
00:00:45.159 --> 00:00:49.280
person at the Academia Gallery. First off, he's huge. We're

12
00:00:49.320 --> 00:00:53.759
talking seventeen feet tall. And here's something most people don't realize.

13
00:00:53.799 --> 00:00:55.679
Those hands in head look slightly too big for his

14
00:00:55.759 --> 00:00:59.640
body because Michaelangelo designed him to be viewed from below.

15
00:01:00.799 --> 00:01:03.840
The guy was thinking about perspective way back in fifteen

16
00:01:03.880 --> 00:01:08.519
oh four. Pro tip for visiting the Academia book your

17
00:01:08.519 --> 00:01:11.439
tickets in advance. I can't stress this enough. The line

18
00:01:11.439 --> 00:01:13.439
for same day tickets can eat up half your day,

19
00:01:13.480 --> 00:01:16.200
and that's time you could spend exploring more of Florence.

20
00:01:16.640 --> 00:01:18.560
The best time to visit is either first thing in

21
00:01:18.599 --> 00:01:21.719
the morning or about two hours before closing. Most tour

22
00:01:21.760 --> 00:01:24.400
groups hit the museum mid day, so avoiding those peak

23
00:01:24.439 --> 00:01:26.879
hours will give you more space to really appreciate David

24
00:01:26.879 --> 00:01:30.840
and all his marble glory. Check our recommended link in

25
00:01:30.879 --> 00:01:33.280
the show notes. When you're at the Academia, don't just

26
00:01:33.280 --> 00:01:35.719
snap your David photos and leave. Take some time to

27
00:01:35.799 --> 00:01:39.280
check out michael Angelo's unfinished sculptures The Prisoners. These partially

28
00:01:39.280 --> 00:01:41.319
carved figures seem to be struggling to break free from

29
00:01:41.359 --> 00:01:43.760
their marble blocks, and they give you an amazing insight

30
00:01:43.799 --> 00:01:47.120
into how Michaelangelo worked. You can literally see his chisel marks.

31
00:01:48.000 --> 00:01:50.719
Now let's talk about the Ufizi Gallery, and folks that

32
00:01:50.719 --> 00:01:53.239
we need to talk strategy here because this place is massive.

33
00:01:53.439 --> 00:01:55.840
We're talking about one of the world's greatest art collections

34
00:01:55.840 --> 00:01:58.799
housed in what used to be the Medichi family's offices.

35
00:01:58.840 --> 00:02:01.359
That's what Ufisi means. You could spend days here and

36
00:02:01.400 --> 00:02:03.480
not see everything. So let me help you hit the highlights.

37
00:02:03.519 --> 00:02:06.760
First off, same advice as the Academia book ahead, but

38
00:02:06.799 --> 00:02:10.520
here's my secret tip book for the afternoon around three pm.

39
00:02:10.840 --> 00:02:12.919
Most tour groups are finishing up by then and you'll

40
00:02:12.919 --> 00:02:15.319
have a more peaceful experience. Plus, the light coming through

41
00:02:15.319 --> 00:02:18.360
those riverside windows in the late afternoon is just magical.

42
00:02:18.520 --> 00:02:22.639
Must seize at the Eufizi include Botticelli's Birth of Venus,

43
00:02:23.159 --> 00:02:25.159
you know, the famous one with Venus on the shell,

44
00:02:25.199 --> 00:02:28.439
and his Primavera. These paintings are even more stunning in person,

45
00:02:28.520 --> 00:02:31.439
and the colors are incredibly vibrant for works that are

46
00:02:31.439 --> 00:02:35.520
over five hundred years old. The Bodicelli room can get crowded,

47
00:02:35.639 --> 00:02:37.879
so be patient and wait for your moment to get

48
00:02:37.960 --> 00:02:41.080
up close. Something most people miss at the Eufizi is

49
00:02:41.120 --> 00:02:43.919
the view from the windows. The gallery runs alongside the

50
00:02:44.000 --> 00:02:46.840
Arno River, and those windows give you some amazing views

51
00:02:46.840 --> 00:02:50.599
of the Ponte Vecchio and the river. Take a breather

52
00:02:50.680 --> 00:02:52.280
on one of the window seats and soak it in.

53
00:02:52.360 --> 00:02:55.680
Let's talk about the Palazzo Vecchio, Florence's town hall that

54
00:02:55.719 --> 00:02:58.280
looks more like a fortress because it actually is one.

55
00:02:58.479 --> 00:03:00.719
This place is off and overlooked because people are rushing

56
00:03:00.759 --> 00:03:03.199
to the Ufitzi or the Academia, but trust me, it's

57
00:03:03.240 --> 00:03:04.919
worth your time. The Hall of the five hundred is

58
00:03:04.919 --> 00:03:09.039
absolutely massive, with walls covered in frescos showing Florence's military victories.

59
00:03:09.280 --> 00:03:11.280
There's even an apartment up there that belong to the

60
00:03:11.280 --> 00:03:14.719
Medici family, and it's decorated exactly as it would have

61
00:03:14.719 --> 00:03:17.639
been in the sixteenth century. Here's a cool secret. You

62
00:03:17.680 --> 00:03:21.159
can climb the tower of the Palazzo Vecchio for some

63
00:03:21.319 --> 00:03:24.599
amazing views of Florence. The stairs are nowhere near as

64
00:03:24.719 --> 00:03:29.039
challenging as the Duomo, thank goodness, and the view gives

65
00:03:29.039 --> 00:03:31.840
you a different perspective of the city. Plus you get

66
00:03:31.879 --> 00:03:34.879
to see the massive bells up close. Now, let me

67
00:03:34.879 --> 00:03:36.879
tell you about one of my favorite spots that most

68
00:03:36.919 --> 00:03:41.800
tourists completely miss, the Basilica of Santa Croce. This church

69
00:03:42.000 --> 00:03:44.400
is the final resting place of some of Italy's most

70
00:03:44.400 --> 00:03:49.280
famous sons. We're talking Michelangelo, Galileo, Machiavellian Moore. The tombs

71
00:03:49.280 --> 00:03:52.199
are incredible works of art in themselves, and the church's

72
00:03:52.240 --> 00:03:55.240
frescoes by Jotto or stunning. Plus, the square outside is

73
00:03:55.280 --> 00:03:58.159
one of Florence's most beautiful, and it's a great place

74
00:03:58.159 --> 00:04:00.919
to sit with a gelato and people watch. Speaking of

75
00:04:00.960 --> 00:04:04.800
hidden gems, let's talk about the Medici chapels connected to

76
00:04:04.879 --> 00:04:07.800
the San Lorenzo Church. These chapels showcase some of michael

77
00:04:07.800 --> 00:04:11.840
Angelo's lesser known but equally impressive sculptures. The new sacristy

78
00:04:11.879 --> 00:04:15.520
is like a masterclass in Renaissance architecture and sculpture. And

79
00:04:15.599 --> 00:04:19.480
here's a fascinating bit of history. During World War Two,

80
00:04:19.560 --> 00:04:22.199
michael Angelo's sculptures were buried in sand right here to

81
00:04:22.199 --> 00:04:29.680
protect them from bombing. For art lovers, don't miss the

82
00:04:29.759 --> 00:04:33.279
Bargello Museum. It's like the Ufizi sculptural cousin, housed in

83
00:04:33.319 --> 00:04:37.120
a former prison. You'll find Donna Tello's bronze David here. Yes,

84
00:04:37.160 --> 00:04:39.879
there's more than one David in Florence, and usually without

85
00:04:39.879 --> 00:04:42.839
the crowds you get at the other museums. Let me

86
00:04:42.879 --> 00:04:44.839
share some practical tips for making the most of your

87
00:04:44.879 --> 00:04:47.480
museum visits. And most museums are closed on Monday, so

88
00:04:47.600 --> 00:04:50.879
plan accordingly. Buy the Forenzi card if you're planning to

89
00:04:50.959 --> 00:04:54.319
visit multiple museums. Take advantage of evening openings in summer.

90
00:04:54.639 --> 00:04:58.040
Some museums stay open late. Don't try to do more

91
00:04:58.079 --> 00:05:00.920
than two major museums in one day. A bottle of water.

92
00:05:01.319 --> 00:05:05.120
Art appreciation can be thirsty work. Download museum maps to

93
00:05:05.160 --> 00:05:07.920
your phone before you go. Here's something most guidebooks won't

94
00:05:07.920 --> 00:05:10.680
tell you. Many of Florence's churches are free to enter

95
00:05:11.000 --> 00:05:15.560
and contain incredible artworks. The Church of Santa Maria Novella,

96
00:05:15.680 --> 00:05:18.920
near the main train station has some amazing frescoes that

97
00:05:19.040 --> 00:05:22.199
rival anything you'll see in the museums, and the Brancaci Chapel,

98
00:05:22.199 --> 00:05:25.160
and the Church of Santa Maria del Carmine has frescoes

99
00:05:25.199 --> 00:05:28.040
that Michelangelo himself used to come and study. For a

100
00:05:28.079 --> 00:05:30.560
break from all the art and history, head to the

101
00:05:30.600 --> 00:05:33.600
Boboli Gardens behind the Pitti Palace. These gardens are like

102
00:05:33.639 --> 00:05:36.279
an open air museum, with sculptures scattered among the trees

103
00:05:36.319 --> 00:05:39.240
and flowers. Find a shady spot near the fountain and

104
00:05:39.240 --> 00:05:42.720
take a moment to process all the amazing things you've seen. Oh,

105
00:05:42.720 --> 00:05:45.199
and here's a local secret. The Bardini Gardens, right next

106
00:05:45.199 --> 00:05:47.319
to the Boboli are less crowded and offer some of

107
00:05:47.360 --> 00:05:50.480
the best views of Florence. Plus they have a fantastic

108
00:05:50.519 --> 00:05:53.160
little cafe with a terrace overlooking the city. You know

109
00:05:53.199 --> 00:05:56.720
what's really special about Florence, even after you've seen all

110
00:05:56.759 --> 00:05:59.759
these famous sites, you'll still stumble upon amazing art and

111
00:05:59.879 --> 00:06:02.839
art architecture just walking down random streets. That's the magic

112
00:06:02.879 --> 00:06:05.879
of the city. Well, there's always something incredible around the

113
00:06:05.920 --> 00:06:10.800
next corner. For your planning, here's a suggested itinerary. Morning

114
00:06:10.920 --> 00:06:13.720
hit the Academia first thing to see David. Late morning,

115
00:06:13.879 --> 00:06:16.279
explore the San Lorenzo Market and church area. Is it

116
00:06:16.319 --> 00:06:20.120
the Ufitzi book for a round three pm evening, climb

117
00:06:20.199 --> 00:06:23.279
the Palazzo Vechio tower for sunset. As we wrap up

118
00:06:23.279 --> 00:06:25.680
our Florence series, I hope these three episodes have given

119
00:06:25.680 --> 00:06:28.040
you a good sense of how to explore this incredible city.

120
00:06:28.439 --> 00:06:31.360
From the streets and the river to the Duomo's heights

121
00:06:31.360 --> 00:06:34.759
and now through its amazing museums and churches. Florence is

122
00:06:34.800 --> 00:06:37.879
a city that never stops amazing you remember, if you

123
00:06:37.879 --> 00:06:41.120
want to enjoy these episodes without commercials, head over to

124
00:06:41.439 --> 00:06:44.680
Calaroga dot com slash plus. You'll find the link in

125
00:06:44.759 --> 00:06:47.720
the show notes. This is Johnny Mack reminding you that

126
00:06:47.800 --> 00:06:50.240
sometimes the best art isn't just on the walls, it's

127
00:06:50.279 --> 00:06:52.839
in the whole experience of discovering a city like Florence.

128
00:06:53.240 --> 00:06:55.000
Until next time, keep exploring,

149. Italy - Florence - Florence's Must-See Museums: David, Uffizi & Hidden Treasures

Listen On

Featured Episodes

Recent Episodes