Piazzale Michelangelo
Florence Italy
2016

The Magical Florence Skyline
Florence seen from above is a singular experience. Not just a perfect photo opportunity, but a moment of wonder. You are looking at the city that gave birth to incredible artists, amazing scientists and an enthralling history of discovery and power that has filled novels and movie theaters.

No matter what time of day, you will find that Piazzale Michelangelo truly offers a stupendous lookout over Florence. Don't be surprised if you also see it written as Piazzale Michelangiolo, this is from the archaic Florentine pronunciation and most definitely the one you see on street signs or the brown and white signs that indicate historic landmarks. In any case, however you spell it, it is one site that should not be missed. It may be a classic tourist stop, but it never fails to capture the heart and imagination of those who follow the path to the very top.

Not as Old as David
Many mistakenly believe that this piazza existed since the birth of Florence or that it was designed by Michelangelo. Actually it is a rather recent addition to the list of monuments in Florence, created in 1869 by Florentine architect Giuseppe Poggi, as part of major restructuring of the city walls in 1869.

Poggi's sumptuous terrace is typical 19th century design intended as a showcase for Michelangelo's masterpieces (at least copies). Poggi designed a monument base dedicated to Michelangelo, where copies of Michelangelo's works, including the David and the Medici Chapel sculptures from San Lorenzo, would be displayed. When the terrace was finished, Poggi also designed the hillside building behind it with a loggia as a museum for Michelangelo's works. However, the building never fulfilled its original purpose and houses the restaurant La Loggia, featuring both a coffee bar (everyday from 10 am - midnight) and full fledged restaurant with panoramic terrace (12-11pm).
Today, the piazza is filled with tourists, vendors, and a bronze replica of Michelangelo's David. (The original is displayed at the Accademia Gallery museum).



Panoramic view of the Piazzale Michelangelo
The Piazzale Michelangelo is an 1860 square by Giuseppe Poggi and is full of replicas of Michelangelo statues, including a second copy of the David (the original is in the Accademia Gallery). The Piazza is located on a hill, giving you a beautiful 360 degree view of Florence and the surrounding area. Take photos of the winding river Arno, the Ponte Vecchio, the Palazzo Vecchio, the Uffizi Gallery, the Santa Croce basilica and of course the Santa Maria del Fiore (the Duomo) and enjoy the view over the Florentine skyline and the Tuscan hills.The sights on the piazzale

At the center of the Piazzale Michelangelo is a memorial to Michelangelo, consisting of the David surrounded by four statues that were to be officially placed on the tomb of Lorenzo and Giuliano de Medici. A loggia has been built behind the statue, where Poggi actually wanted to display all of Michelangelo's sculptures. This never happened and nowadays there is a restaurant in the loggia.

Reach the square
Since the Piazza Michelangelo is located on a hill, it is quite a steep climb. However, you don't have to get bored on the road. You are sure to encounter a high watchtower, the Porta San Niccolò, which once formed a gate in the defensive walls of Florence. Arnolfo di Cambio designed the gate and defensive walls in 1324, but in the nineteenth century much of the defensive walls were demolished due to urban renewal. The tower was spared, as it gave a beautiful view of the city. The tower can be climbed and has only 160 steps to the top.

Giardino delle Rose (rose garden)
Another attraction hat you will encounter on the way to Piazzale Michelangelo is the Giardino delle Rose or the rose garden park. The Giardino also offers a magnificent view of the city, as the rose garden is located on the slope of the hill on which the Piazzale is located. Poggi also designed this garden park for the city Florence, as it had become the capital of Italy in 1865. Attilio Pucci turned it into rose gardens for the first time around 1895, when the park was also opened to the public. Today, the rose garden park also houses a Japanese garden and the statues of the Flemish sculptor Folon, donated to Florence by his widow.

San Miniato al Monte
From all over Firenze, the Basilica of San Miniato al Monte can be seen on top of the hill. From Piazzale Michelangelo this is no more than an eight minute walk up the hill.