Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Street-by-Street: Oltrarno
For the most part, the Oltrarno area consists of
relatively small houses and shops selling
antiques, bric-à-brac and foodstuffs. The Via
Maggio breaks this pattern, with its numerous
imposing 16th-century palazzi close to the
Medici's Palazzo Pitti. As it is one of the
main routes into the city, the road is busy
and there is constant traffic noise. Step
into the side streets, however, and you
escape the noise and bustle to discover traditional
Florence; restaurants are authentic and reasonably
priced, and the area is full of workshops
restoring antique furniture.
Medici coat
of arms
Cenacolo di Santo Spirito
The old refectory is used
to display medieval and
Renaissance sculpture
2
Santo Spirito
Simplicity is the keynote of
Brunelleschi's last church.
It was completed after his
death in 1446
1
Palazzo Guadagni
(1500) was
the first in the city to be built
with a rooftop loggia, setting a
trend among the aristocracy.
Palazzo di
Bianca Cappello
(1579) is covered in ornate
sgraffito
work and was the
home of the mistress of Grand
Duke Francesco I
(see pp50-51)
.
piazza
di
s.felice
KEY
Casa Guidi
was the
home of the poets
Robert Browning and
Elizabeth Barrett
Browning from 1846-61,
after their secret wedding.
STAR SIGHTS
.
Palazzo Pitti
. Boboli Gardens
Suggested route
0 metres
100
0 yards
100
