The streets of Florence—epicenter of Renaissance art and culture—are living history for scholars and art lovers alike.
Charming and historic, Florence offers a rare opportunity to step back in time. Its 15th- and 16th-century monuments, buildings, and churches—including, most famously, the Duomo—and its many artworks, such as Michelangelo's Statue of David, highlight why this small Italian city is considered the birthplace of the Renaissance. Under the Medici family, who ruled during this era, the worlds of art, architecture, science, and humanism flourished, and the remnants of this explosively creative time are still visible today. Florence has also retained its other traditions—crafts and food—with current Florentine leatherworkers, silversmiths, shoemakers, and milliners producing artisanal goods and cafes, markets, and restaurants preparing the city's celebrated cuisine. Explore this iconic city on our Florence private tours and our Florence small group tours with Context.