The city of Florence eats, sleeps and breathes art. Examples of man's artistic genius (天赋) stand on nearly every street. Dozens of museums and art shops wait to be explored.
During the Renaissance, Florence was a paradise (天堂) for artists themselves. Before this time, art focused completely on religious subjects. Renaissance art began to include more variety. Artists painted pictures of ordinary people. They painted scenes from history and characters from Greek and Roman myths (神话).
Michelangelo was the greatest of Florence's artists. Visitors line up for hours at the Academia museum for a look at his impressive David. This 14-foot-high statue has become the ideal human figure of the Renaissance. David is an example of Michelangelo's talent for sculpting people simply, yet powerfully.
More of Michelangelo's works can be seen in the great Palazzo Vecchio. Paintings and carvings of famous Italian artists fill the palace rooms.
A short walk through the narrow streets of Florence brings visitors to the famous Uffizi Gallery. It has an outstanding art collection. Visitors should be sure to wear comfortable shoes, as exploring the gallery takes many hours. Some of the most famous works in the collection include Botticelli's Primaveraand The Birth of Venus.
Even visitors tired of art won't want to miss the Pitti Palace. Once home to Florence's powerful Medici family, the large palace now houses three museums. Filled with priceless art, the countless rooms glitter (闪光) with gold decorations. For a breath of fresh air, wander among the statues and fountains of the palace gardens.
To get a feel of modern Florence, join the evening walk. This traditional feature of Italian life begins around 6 p.m. People walk down the streets of central Florence to do last-minute shopping or just chat with friends. Be sure to walk past Perch Noi, home of the oldest and best ice cream in the city.
Florence has given the world many great art treasures. Some stand in gardens and squares. Others line the walls of beautiful palaces. Still others are the palaces themselves. For art lovers, Florence is indeed paradise.