The Oltrarno district

Piazza di Santo Spirito

For centuries Oltrarno was the poorer section of the town, until 1550 when the Medicis moved from the San Lorenzo district into Palazzo Pitti. Other aristocrats soon followed "accross the river" (the meaning of Oltrarno), bulding mansions along Via Maggio, on Via de' Serragli, and around Piazza Santo Spirito.

Today, this lovely Bohemian area is full of artisans' workshops, run.down botteghe, antique shops, palazzi, artists, and working-class locals.

Here you will find the authentic Florence.

Off Ponte Vecchio, Palazzo Pitti and the beautiful Boboli Gardens sprawl down the middle Oltrarno. East of Ponte Vecchio along the river, San Niccolò buzzes with osterie and wine bars. To the south a hill rises with marvelous winding roads eading to Piazzale Michelangelo and San Miniato church, offering marvelous views of the city.

PLACES TO SEE

The dome of San Frediano in Cestello (Piazza del Cestello), a late 17th century Baroque church, stands out accross the city skyline.

San Frediano in Cestello

In the church of Santa Maria del Carmine, the Brancacci Chapel (Piazza del Carmine) is famous for the twelve frescoes painted in the 15th century by Masolino, his protégé Masaccio and Filippino Lippi. Masaccio's realistic and highly emotional renderings were avant-garde in his day and contrasted in their simplicity to his teacher Masolino's more decorative, courtly style.

Piazza del Carmine

One of Florence's most beautiful churches, Santo Spirito span several eras: the foundation is 13th-century; the church, Brunelleschi's 1435 design; the altar, 17th-century Baroque; and the facade18th-century.

Piazza Santo Spirito

Wander the neighborhood streets, from the furniture  restorers' studios in Piazza Santo Spirito to the majestic palaces of Via Maggio and Via de' Serragli.

Oltrarno fountain

Palazzo Pitti built for the banker Luca Pitti, became the main Medici residence in 1550. Today it is a group of museums housing the Medici treasures. Highlights include the Palatine Gallery, the Museo degli Argenti and the Royal Apartments. The palace's splendid formal Boboli Gardens incorporate, among other features, the Amphitheatre, the Grotta Grande, the Orangery, the Oceanus fountain and the Viottolone a colonnade of cypresses and statues.

Palazzo Pitti

Boboli Gardens