Italy
Florence
Welcome to Italy! Florence is the beautiful city where the Renaissance began, filled with world-famous art, a giant dome that stunned engineers, and a bridge lined with tiny shops over the Arno River.
Why is it famous?
Florence is known as the birthplace of the Renaissance, a period when art, science, and ideas exploded across Europe.
Its cathedral, called the Duomo, is topped by an enormous red-brick dome that still amazes engineers today.
How was it built?
Florence started out as an ancient Roman town before growing into a wealthy trading and banking city in the Middle Ages.
The powerful Medici family used their fortune to support artists and architects, helping turn Florence into a hub of creativity.
Amazing facts
The Duomo's dome took 16 years to build and used over 4 million bricks, all laid without modern cranes or steel beams.
The Ponte Vecchio's shops were once packed with butchers, but today they're filled with jewelers and goldsmiths instead.
Quick facts
- The Duomo's dome took 16 years to build and used over 4 million bricks, all laid without modern cranes or steel beams.
- The Ponte Vecchio's shops were once packed with butchers, but today they're filled with jewelers and goldsmiths instead.
- Florence's official symbol is a red lily flower, which still appears on the city's flag today.
- The Uffizi Gallery in Florence holds some of the most famous paintings from the Renaissance, viewed by millions of visitors every year.