Walk Ideas
Xploring Local Surroundings
[
Jane Whittle]
One of the nicest walks in the early spring goes from the centre of Florence up to Piazzale Michelangelo. We suggest you start out from San Niccolò and then take characteristic Via di San Salvatore al Monte. This path is formed of a series of low steps, lined with cypress trees and marked at regular intervals by the stations of the cross, placed here by the
Franciscan monks in 1628. The steps lead up to Viale Galileo where you can turn left towards
Piazzale Michelangelo, giving onto one of the most beautiful views in the world. The huge square seems to be suspended over the city, giving the impression that you can just reach out and touch
Brunelleschi's dome, Arnolfo's tower and the terracotta rooftops of the
historic centre of Florence. The view stretches as far as
Fiesole, backed by the
Mugello hills at the rear. Retrace your steps from the terracotta and turn left into the footpath that leads up to San Salvatore.
Michelangelo called this church 'my pretty little villa' for its perfect architectural proportions. From here you can reach the
Basilica of San Miniato al Monte, a real jewel of Romanesque architecture (the building was started in 1013 by Bishop Hildebrand). The path up to the church passes through the ramparts built by Michelangelo when Imperial troops laid siege to the city in 1529. The views, the wonderful facade and the interior of the church, mentioned in documents from 783, make this walk unique. It takes about an hour to return to the city centre along the Viale dei Colli, bordered with ancient trees, splendid
villas and
gardens offering beautiful views, to ancient Via San Leonardo and the descent from
Costa San Giorgio to the Ponte Vecchio. The pleasant meandering path from Piazzale Michelangelo to the Gate of San Niccolò instead takes about half an hour.
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Walk Ideas