Its easy to say that Florence is full of many different things: mopeds, gelato shops, tourists, and kabob stands.  While all of those have their own merits folks really line up for the museums and churches.  Here is my top 5 list of historical must do’s while in the historic city.

1. The Uffizi Gallery – The former offices of Cosimo I de’ Medici houses one of the worlds greatest collections.  The pieces that stand out most from my visits were Raphael’s Madonna, Piero della Francesco’s Duke and Duchess, and Botticelli’s The Birth of Venus.

2. The Accademia Gallery  – home of David since 1873.  While there are at least two other replica’s in various piazza’s of Florence, this is the original, and without question the  most stunning sculpture I have ever seen.

3. Capella Brancacci – located in an unassuming church on the other side of the Arno, the frescoes by Masaccio in this chapel will captivate you for hours.

4. Capelle Medicee – located in San Lorenzo, this grandesque chapel displays the wealth of the Medici family, along with many of their tombs.

5. The Duomo – official known as the Cathedral of Santa Maria Del Fiore, this church support the red brick dome you can see from 30 miles away.  It also houses a few interesting pieces of art, and a crypt that reveals the foundation of a previous church on this site.