Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
4
Palazzo Medici-Riccardi
PALACE
The Medicis lived in this 15th-century
palazzo
(palace) until 1540, selling it to the Ric-
cardi family a century later. It hosts excellent temporary exhibitions, but the major draw-
card is a series of wonderfully detailed frescoes (c 1459-63) by Benozzo Gozzoli in the
bijou
Cappella dei Magi
. Only 10 visitors can visit the chapel at a time; reserve at the
ticket desk or by telephone.
(
055 276 03 40;
www.palazzo-medici.it
; Via Cavour 3; adult/reduced €7/4;
9am-6.30pm Thu-Tue summer, to 5.30pm winter)
5
Ospedale degli Innocenti
Brunelleschi designed the portico for Europe's first orphanage in 1421, shortly after its
founding, and Andrea della Robbia (1435-1525) added the charming terracotta medal-
lions of swaddled babies. The false door surrounded by railings at the north end was once
a revolving door where unwanted children were left.
(Hospital of the Innocents; Piazza della SS An-
nunziata 12)
GALLERY
6
Chiesa della Santissima Annunziata
CHURCH
Established on majestic Piazza della Santissima Annunziata in 1250 by the founders of
the Servite order and rebuilt by Michelozzo in the mid-15th century, this Renaissance
church is remarkable for its frescoes by the post-Renaissance painters who founded the
Mannerist school: Andrea del Castagno, del Sarto, Jacopo Pontormo and Il Rosso
Fiorentino (the Redhead from Florence).
(Piazza Santissima Annunziata)
7
Museo Archeologico
When the city's signature Renaissance splendor simply gets too much, retreat to
Florence's small archeological museum. Its rich collection of finds - including most of
the Medici hoard of antiquities - includes collections of ancient Egypt, Etruscan and
MUSEUM
