Best Cities to Experience Art Around the Globe

Florence, Italy

As a Renaissance city famous for its various works of ancient art, it’s no surprise that Florence tops the list of best places to explore the arts. Also flocked to for its incredible wines and glorious food, what more could one ask for in a city beaming with art and historic architecture everywhere you look? The question then begs: where to begin?

My first stop is always the architecture that the city was built around. In this case, Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, which stands at city center and surprises every visitor as they round the corner and take in her majesty. The sheer vastness of the structure, claiming the title of the third largest church in the world, is breathtaking. The intricate details on her colorful marble walls, Giotto’s bell tower, red-tiled cupola, and her hearty bronze doors known as the Gates of Paradise are just a few of her architectural marvels. Today, replicas of the 16.6 foot doors stand at the Baptistry. Ghiberti’s original 15th-century Gates of Paradise live just a block away at Museo dell’ Opera del Duomo, erected of bronze depicting scenes from the Bible. When Michelangelo first laid his eyes on them, he said that they were fit to adorn the gates of heaven itself, and I think any art-lover would agree.

Just a few blocks away, Michelangelo’s legendary Statute of David is found. At Accademia Gallery, many of Michelangelo’s works stand proudly on display as the perfect embodiment of his famous quote, “I saw the angel in the marble and carved until I set him free.”

In the opposite direction of the Gallery (but still just blocks away) sits the Uffizi. Head to the second floor to gaze upon Sandro Boticelli’s Birth of Venus among other famous works. Though Venus may be the attraction, the art collection in this space could take an entire day to browse and wander. 

Strolling the streets of Firenze, art vendors dot every corner. The streets themselves are covered in art. The level of talent here is unlike anywhere else and leaves visitors inspired and in awe of the creative minds who once walked the ancient streets adorned with detail.

-by Ashley Bowling