“I was impressed by Florence since my first visit as a child. I feel so fortunate to live and work in the same city as one of the most beautiful museums in the world”.
Originally from Puglia, Vittorio has been visiting Florence since childhood and has an infectious passion for the city’s hidden churches and Renaissance masterpieces.
Michelangelo’s frescoes and the Medicis
I like to start with something a little more unusual: the Medici chapel within the complex of San Lorenzo Church. It consists of Michelangelo's New Sacristy. There are two cribs inside with the tombs of the Medici and Loren family members. It’s something I always recommend. You can feel the Medici aura when you’re inside the chapel. It’s hard to put into words but when you experience it, it’s amazing. My favourite is the tomb of Lorenzo Medici who is considered the most influential person in the Medici dynasty. The frescoes by Michelangelo are simply incredible. The way the cribs were built alongside one another inside the San Lorenzo church. These chapels are built inside a complex, this is the charming aspect of the Medici chapels. It’s near the Palazzo Medici Riccardi which was the main residence of the Medici family, together with the Pitti Palace.
Contemporary art at Palazzo Strozzi
A two-minute walk from Hotel Savoy is Palazzo Strozzi. It’s an architectural masterpiece of the Renaissance created by the Strozzi family, the principal rivals of the Medicis. Every year, the gallery schedules some important exhibitions, both contemporary and ancient. Chinese artist Yan Pei-Ming recently had an exhibition there and I’m looking forward to seeing the Anish Kapoor exhibition this autumn. I even met Marina Abramović when she had her exhibition there a few years ago.
The jewel of Florence’s art museums
What can I say about the Uffizi? It’s one of the most beautiful museums in the world. Built by Cosimo Medici in the beginning of the 15th century, it’s a work of art. All the main artists are there – Michelangelo, Leonardo, Botticelli, Raffaello. Every year, they update a room and this year they’ve renovated Leonardo’s room. But my favourite artist of all is Caravaggio. Looking at the hair made of snakes on his ‘Medusa’ on my first trip to Florence as a child made my young imagination leap. Now that I'm older I appreciate how it symbolises happiness and wisdom at the same time. When it reopens this autumn, the Vasari Corridor will link the Uffizi gallery, Palazzo Pitti and Boboli Gardens. It will present a unique experience and we’ll have special passes for our guests.
Royal rooms in a Renaissance palace
The royal residence of the three most important families, Pitti Palace was home to the Medicis, the Hapsburg-Lorraines and the Savoys. It’s still named after its first owner, the Florentine banker, Luca Pitti. Built within Palazzo Pitti is the Palatine Gallery, a masterwork by Raffaello. The royal rooms are something I highly recommend. Every child dreams about living in a palace and the intimacy of the queen’s master bedroom – with the bath next to the bed – really appeals to me.
San Miniato al Monte
The San Miniato Monte is the most beautiful church in Florence, in my opinion. People say, “it’s the door to paradise in the sky” and, maybe because I’m a romantic, that appeals to me. There’s an incredible cemetery built inside the hilltop church, named after an important saint, San Miniato. From this raised vantage point you can see over the rooftops of Florence and the Duomo below.
The Duomo, the Ponte Vecchio, Via de’ Tornabuoni… nowhere has neighbours like Hotel Savoy.
Phone Number*
Address
Piazza della Repubblica 7
50123 Florence, Italy
Florence
50123 Florence, Italy
Florence
The Duomo, the Ponte Vecchio, Via de’ Tornabuoni… nowhere has neighbours like Hotel Savoy.
Phone Number*
Address
Piazza della Repubblica 7
50123 Florence, Italy
Florence
50123 Florence, Italy
Florence
The Duomo, the Ponte Vecchio, Via de’ Tornabuoni… nowhere has neighbours like Hotel Savoy.
Phone Number*
Address
Piazza della Repubblica 7
50123 Florence, Italy
Florence
50123 Florence, Italy
Florence