last minute hotels florence : Giotto Hotel
How to reach us in Florence
Hotel Giotto 2 star hotel is found in the historical center of Firenze in Via del GIGLIO 13, only 250 metres from the Santa Maria Novella train station
How to get to the hotel:
By car: From the autostrada A1, exit at Firenze SUD or Firenze Nord for those arriving from the North, the Viareggio Firenze or the Livorno-Pisa-Firenze and Siena-Firenze freeways, follow the signs for the Santa Maria Novella train station, enter the telematic passage way that gives onto Piazza Unità d' Italia, then Via del Melarancio and turn right onto Via del Giglio where you will see the garage and the hotel.
From the Amerigo Vespucci air port: Take the bus fro the train station (and follow the following instructions) or you could hire a taxi
From Santa Maria Novella train station: By foot, cross into Piazza della Stzione in the direction of Via Panzani, after about 200 meters at the corner of Via del Giglio turn left, the hotel is found on the left hand side
Interactive map:
Visualizzazione ingrandita della mappa
We are in the heart of the historical center:
To see in Florence
Ponte Vecchio (old bridge) : Like the name says, this splendid bridge is one the oldest in Florence: the first construction already existed before the end of the year thousand, but was destroyed in a flooding of the Arno river. The bridge was reconstructed in solid stone 1345. On its banks you can still see the old workshops of jewlery makers, silversmiths, and goldsmiths, whose art has been sent down through the generations.
Il Duomo Santa Maria del Fiore and Baptistery : The construction of the gothic catherdral Santa Maria del Fiore started in 1296 and were completed by Brunelleschi in 1436 with the famous dome, decorated in affrescos by Vasari and Zuccari.The squared bell tower was projected by Giotto in 1334 arising on the left side of the Cathedral and covered in red, white and green marble. The St. John Baptistery, one of the oldest monuments of Florence (1128), is found infront of the Cathedral and is in romantic florentine style.
Galleria degli Uffizi (Uffici Gallery): The Uffizi Gallery is one of the most importnat museums in the world. It was build in the 1500s based on the project of Giorgio Vassari, architect and is house to the most important works of Italian and foreign artists from the XIII to the XVIII centuries such as Tiziano, Cimabue, Giotto, Masaccio, Tintoretto, Leonardo, Botticelli, Michelangelo, Piero della Francesca, Raffaello, Caravaggio, Rubens, Rembrandt, Dürer, Goya.
Piazza della Signoria (The Signoria Square): This splendid Signoria Square is truly an opened-sky exhibition: the Palazzo Vecchio, with its salon from the 500s and affrescos by Vassari, Neptune's fountain, and the copy of Michelangelo's David, welcome the visitor at the entrance. The Loggia della Signoria is on the right side of the piazza where precious statues by Cellini end Sabine del Gianbologna can be found.
Palazzo Pitti (Pitti Palace): Built for the banker Luca Pitti in the 1400s, and after he had gone bankrupt became the residence of the Medici family, who improved the building starting with a large courtyard designed by Ammaniti. The Medici placed their collections of baroque and renaisance art here, these collections can now be found in the Galleria Palatina. The Palace is now house to other important museums such as the Gallery of Modern Art, the Museum of Silver, and the Gallery of the Costume.
Basilica di Santa Croce (Holy Cross Basilica) : Projected in the gothic-florentie style in the 12th century, Santa Croce is the house to many masterpieces: The Giotto affrescos, the Crucifix of Cimabue and the Pazzi Chapel a masterpiece by Brunelleschi. The Basilica is famous in the world because some of the important tombs found here for example, the tomb of Alfieri, and the tomb where Canova was burried.
Giardino di Boboli (Boboli Gardens): Beside Palazzo Pitti and like the Palace it was comissioned by the Medici family in 1500. Walking through this splendid renaissance garden, some striking monuments such as the amphitheater, the Buontalenti's cave, and the isle of the stautes of dancing peasantry can be seen.
Mercato di San Lorenzo (St. Lawrence's Market): The central market of St. Lawrence is found in a huge building of steel and glass built in 1874. Eventhough in modern times it has become a tourist spot, the Market has kept its charm. On the gournd floor many delis with Tuscan and Florentine specialties are found, where one can even stop to eat a quick bite. The second floor holds flower stands, fruit and vegetable stands where the fruits typical to the region can be found.
