Secret Florence: unusual and little-known places to visit

Palazzo Medici Riccardi

The secret Florence is made up of buildings and corners just waiting to be discovered. I am referring to those places that few people know about but which allow you to discover the authentic Florence and its stories.

In this post, I will introduce you to the secret and little-known Florence, i.e. those less famous places that allow you to admire the city from a different perspective.

SECRET FLORENCE: UNUSUAL PLACES TO SEE THAT FEW PEOPLE KNOW ABOUT

Interno di Palazzo Medici Riccardi

WHERE TO GO TO DISCOVER SECRET FLORENCE

Florence was the cradle of the Renaissance.
Artists, writers, philosophers, politicians and protagonists of Western history have lived in this unique city.
To discover the main masterpieces, you need to visit the museums of Florence, but to visit the secret and lesser-known Florence, here is where I recommend you go.

Palazzo Medici Riccardi

The palace is now the seat of the prefecture, but it was the first residence of the Medici family.

On the façade, you can see the symbols of what was once the most important family in Florence and one of the most influential during the Renaissance.

The Riccardi family bought the palace in 1659, and part of their art collection is still preserved inside the building: about 300 archaeological finds.

• What not to miss at Palazzo Medici Riccardi: the Chapel of the Magi frescoed by Benozzo Gozzoli, where you can see portraits of Giuliano de’ Medici, Lorenzo the Magnificent and Galeazzo Maria Sforza. Attached to the palace is the Riccardiana Library, open to the public since 1715, which houses around 4,000 manuscripts and over 50,000 books.

La Berta della Chiesa di Santa Maria Maggiore

Church of Santa Maria Maggiore

One of the oldest churches in Florence, it was founded before the 12th century and rebuilt in Gothic style in the mid-13th century.
Its façade is simple and faces Piazza Santa Maria Maggiore, while the interior has three naves with pointed arches and three chapels.
This church houses the tomb of Dante Alighieri’s teacher, Brunetto Latini.

On the bell tower of the church, there is a marble bust which, according to legend, is Berta. There are many stories linked to this sculpture, but two are the most curious: one says that Berta, a fruit seller who used to sell her wares a few steps from the church, decided to leave all her possessions to the monks so that they could make a bell; the other story tells of the face of a woman petrified by Cecco D’ascoli, an alchemist doctor condemned to be burned at the stake, whom the woman reviled as he passed by, petrifying her on the tower forever.

The secret view of Florence Cathedral

Florence Cathedral is beautiful, and anyone visiting Florence cannot help but photograph its dome.
The best view of the Duomo is from Giotto’s bell tower, which can be reached by climbing 400 steps, or from Brunelleschi’s dome.
However, there is a special place from which to admire the Duomo, the bell tower and the dome: the terrace of the Rinascente.

• How to access the secret view of the Duomo: To admire the Duomo from the Rinascente, simply enter the store and go up to the fourth floor.
• When you reach the top, you will be presented with the most beautiful view of the Duomo, Giotto’s Bell Tower and Brunelleschi’s Dome. What’s more, admission is free!

La vista del Duomo di Firenze dalla Rinascente.

These are some of the hidden gems of Florence that you should visit, but there are many others, such as museums. In the post Museums in Florence: 6 beautiful and little-known museums, you will find a list of those that are definitely worth seeing.