Once home to Dante, Leonardo, Michelangelo and Machiavelli the streets and squares of the city are teeming with history. It all began in ancient times when the Romans established a colony near the banks of the Arno. After the fall of the Roman empire and a period of political turmoil and warfare, Florence flourished in the later middle ages. By the mid-1200s Florence was minting its currency; the golden florin became the dominant trade coin all over Europe. Thanks to his economic prosperity, wealthy Florence bankers, merchants and wool makers began to pour huge sums of money into public works, places, churches fueling the renaissance. The city enjoyed its prolific golden age with the rise of the Medici family. Then after a period of decline, the city witnessed a reawakening when it became the capital of Italy for a short time. Walk to amazing sites like Piazza Santa Croce and Piazza Della Signoria, a square with so much original sculpture, it could be considered an outdoor museum. After exploring the wonderful city for 1.5 hours You will have a break before you continue the Uffizi Gallery Tour. The Uffizi gallery is the top art museum in Florence. filled with an astounding number of painting, frescoes, statues and antiquities. This world-famous museum attracts thousands of visitors every day. Don't stress over how to buy Uffizi gallery tickets or wonder how long it takes to go through the Gallery. We have it all covered! Join us as our expert guide leads you through it with ease. Avoids long waits with priority access tickets and reservations.