Just Kidding.  When you think of Florence though, what comes to mind? Hopefully it’s art, art and more art.  Florence is literally busting at the seams with incredible art.  The heart of the renaissance, Florence and the Medici family attracted the best sculptors and painters from around Europe.  Their work remains in the churches, public buildings and yes, even homes, today.

One of the most spectacular buildings to come out of the renaissance is Florence’s Duomo.  Constructed by architect and artist Filippo Brunelleschi, the dome is actually comprised of two domes.  After city fathers refused to allow buttresses to hold the weight of the dome, a contest was held to see who could devise a new way to distribute the weight and build the enormous dome.  Brunelleschi won and with his design, the dome of Santa Maria del Fiore became one of the most well-known roofs in the world.

To see more of our favorite photos from around the world check out our travel photo page. Let us know your favorites and we’ll include them in our photo of the day series.

IF YOU GO: Try to avoid high tourist season in Florence.  The city has so much to offer it’s hard to get through the crowds during high season.  If you leave the main tourist area and venture across the Arno or out toward some of the lesser known piazzas you’ll be charmed by the beauty of the every day. Apartments in Florence tend to be popular with art students, who still come to study and learn from the masters.  You’ll enjoy getting to know the local gelaterias (ice cream shops) in your neighborhood.  It’s common to have a cone with two different flavors, just keep it in the same family (fruit or cream, not both!)

Photo Credit: Flickr user Chiarra Marra under a creative commons license.