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FLORENCE

HIDDEN GEMS IN FLORENCE:

13 UNIQUE THINGS TO DO

POSTED ON OCTOBER 24, 2022 BY UNTOLD ITALY

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Heading to the jewel of the Renaissance and

looking for the top hidden gems in Florence?
This guide covers some of the lesser-known
and secret Florence attractions you don’t
want to miss on your next visit.

Florence is abundant in beauty. You’ll find it in

quiet monasteries, at unassuming street
stops, and in grandiose museums and
galleries. But it’s the hidden spots that’ll truly
leave you surprised and make your vacation
ultra-unique.

Ready to explore Florence’s hidden gems?

Let’s jump right in.

Tip: Check out our Florence travel

guide while planning your itinerary.

13 Unusual Things To Do in Florence,

Italy
Below are some of the best places to visit in
Florence for a unique and fantastical time in
Firenze.

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Unique Museums in Florence

Consider visiting some of these lesser-known

but incredible museums in Florence.

Museum of San Marco Monastery

If you’re an art lover, you’ve probably got the

Uffizi and Accademia Galleries at the top of
your itinerary. But the San Marco Museum is
a worthy detour or alternative with much
fewer crowds.

This perfectly preserved 15th-century

monastery is not only attractive for its
collection of artworks but also for its refined,
harmonious architecture and historical
significance.

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Cosimo de’ Medici commissioned architect

Michelozzo to redesign the Dominican
convent in 1437. This lead to the building
you’ll see today with its simple cloisters.

The most famous cloister was named after

Sant’Antonino, who would become
Archbishop of Florence. This cloister features
frescoes of San Marco’s life by artist
Bernardino Poccetti.

There are also frescoes done by a resident

monk and influential Renaissance painter, Fra
Angelico. His works are found throughout the
convent, including the monks’ sleeping cells.
But one of his most notable works is the
Crucifixion, located in the Chapter House.

Address: Piazza San Marco, 1

Tickets: Buy here

Opera del Duomo Museum

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Sitting in the shadow of the grand dome of

Brunelleschi, the Opera del Duomo museum
is often overlooked. But this museum houses
one of the world’s largest collections of
Medieval and Renaissance sculptures, so it’s a
must-see in Florence.

This building on the eastern side of Piazza del

Duomo has quite a history behind it. It was
first established in 1296 as a workshop for
overseeing the construction of the cathedral
and bell tower.

Once the cathedral and Brunelleschi’s dome

were completed and consecrated, the
workshop was slightly repurposed. It became
a space where monuments from the cathedral
— and the Baptistry of San Giovanni — would
be conserved and maintained.

Later, in 1891, this museum of the Opera del

Duomo was founded to house the many
precious sculptures removed from the
Duomo, baptistry, and surroundings. There is
still an active restoration school and lab on-
site.

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The latest renovation in 2015 created an

elevated “museum within a museum,” where
sculptures are displayed with remade
backdrops depicting where they once stood.
The 7,176 square yard museum houses over
750 works of art from various centuries and
artists, including Donatello, Brunelleschi,
Michelangelo, Ghiberti, and more.

Address: Piazza del Duomo, 9

Tip: Consider taking a guided Duomo

Complex tour for a more in-depth
look at its history.

Michelangelo’s Laurentian Library

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You may know Michelangelo for his iconic

paintings in the Sistine Chapel or his
sculptures. But he also happened to be a
skilled architect. And the Laurentian Library
near the beautiful Basilica di San Lorenzo was
one of his most spectacular triumphs.

Situated on the third floor of the Brunelleschi

cloister — to protect the library from flooding
— the Laurentian Library took almost 50
years to complete. Pope Clement VII, a
member of the Medici family, commissioned
Michelangelo to create this library as a
symbol of the Medici’s affluence and
membership in the aristocracy.

One of the most talked-about elements of this

library is the somewhat impractical staircase
that leads to it from a separate room. It’s not
only the staircase that’s mind-boggling but
also the rest of the architecture surrounding
it. Michelangelo took architectural liberties
that went entirely against the classical
Renaissance style.

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In contrast, the reading room and library is

perfectly proportioned, following more
traditional architectural principles. It features
walnut furniture with intricate carvings on
the roof and booths and has multiple windows
for ample natural light.

Today, the Laurentian Library is a heritage

museum where you can have a look at the
staircase, the library, and the vast collection
of original texts.

Note: The library closes at 13:30, so plan

your visit for the late morning.

Address: Piazza San Lorenzo, 9

Hospital of the Innocents

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As you can tell by now, Florence was a city of

many firsts; this includes being home to the
first orphanage in Europe.

The influential and wealthy Silk Workers

Guild established the Ospedale degli
Innocenti in 1419, recruiting Filippo
Brunelleschi as the architect. By the 5th of
February 1445, 10 days after the hospital’s
opening, the first baby was delivered to the
orphanage’s turnstile-like rotating door.

The hospital would go on to take in and care

for over 375,000 children in its roughly 500
years of operation. And it still provides care to
orphaned children today. Children were
taught skills according to their gender, as was
the custom for the time. And the institution
even offered dowries for the girls, who could
choose to marry or become nuns.

Today, the orphanage also houses a small

gallery where you’ll find various items
donated to or commissioned by the
institution. These include detached frescoes,
antique furniture, and paintings — most
notably The Adoration of the Magi by
Domenico Ghirlandaio.

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Address: Piazza della Santissima

Annunziata, 12

Shopping off the Beaten Path in Florence

Santa Maria Novella Pharmacy

Thought to be the oldest apothecary shop in

the world, the Officina Profumo Farmaceutica
di Santa Maria Novella had its humble
beginnings in 1221. Dominican friars started
experimenting with alchemy, using herbs and
plants from their gardens to heal ailments and
diseases within the monastery.

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Their processes and recipes became so well-

known they even created a perfume for
Queen Catherine de Medici in 1533. The
scent was to remind her of Florence as she
married the future French king, Henry II.

The “Acqua della Regina” made history as one

of the first alcohol-based perfumes in the
world and became a popular scent in the
French courts. But the monks only opened
their apothecary to the public by 1612.

By the 18th century, the apothecary received

a spectacular renovation, complete with
intricate wooden detailing, frescoed ceilings,
and chandeliers. So while this spot may
remind you of one of Rome’s hidden gems, the
Antica Farmacia S. Maria della Scala, it’s much
less gloomy looking.

Today, this spot continues to offer luxurious,

handmade soaps, skincare products,
potpourri, and perfumes made with
traditional recipes. So you can take a bit of
Florence home with you. Be sure to try the
Acqua di Santa Maria Novella perfume — the
renamed “Acqua della Regina.”

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Address: Via della Scala, 16

Scuola del Cuoio

Nestled in the Santa Croce Monastery, this

spot is not exactly off the beaten track, but it’s
definitely a hidden gem. This leather school is
all about preserving the leather tradition in
Florence and sits along the Arno river, which
played a crucial role in Florence’s thriving
leather industry.

The Arno river has been home to many

leather workshops over the centuries, as an
abundant amount of water is needed to
process leather. However, this Scuola del
Cuoio was only established after World War
II, in 1950.

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The Franciscan friars of the Santa Croce

Monastery and the Gori and Cassini families
worked together to establish an educational
space. The goal was to create a school where
the orphans of “La Città dei Ragazzi” could
learn a valuable craft and enhance their work
opportunities.

The school later garnered acclaim for its

expertly handcrafted goods, attracting an
international crowd. Today, this quiet school
offers authentic, handmade leather goods like
jackets, belts, and bags. The best part is that
you can watch the artisans working at their
craft while browsing for your next favorite
purse or jacket.

Address: Via S. Giuseppe, 5/R

Tip: Learn more about the artisans

keeping tradition alive in the city on
this Florence artisan tour. You can
also get 5% discount if you add the
code: UntoldItaly

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Street Art in Florence

Street Art in Via Toscanella and

Beyond

Florence has attracted artists and art

admirers for centuries, and it continues to
intrigue with its striking art adorning the
city’s streets. You’ll find many of these
“modern frescoes” concentrated around the
little via Toscanella, close to the Palazzo Pitti.

You’ll find red and white murals by Yuri

Hopnn, among others. But the fun doesn’t end
here. Explore beyond via Toscanella and head
to Piazza della Passera. Here, you’ll come
across street art surprises in the form of
sculptures by Moradi II Sedicente.
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More art awaits you along the Arno, in the

city center, and lesser-known piazze. So grab
your camera and get lost in the city. You can
expect to come across some memorable
hidden gems in Tuscany’s Florence, created by
artists like Hogre, Jamesboy, and Manu
Invisible. You’ll also spot quirky stick figures
with red balloons by Florentine artist
Exit/Enter.

Tip: Give you own creativity a go

with a walking tour and drawing class
in Florence. You can also get 5%
discount if you add the code:
UntoldItaly

L’importuno di Michelangelo

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Now for a bit of ancient street art; this one is

more of a gem hidden in plain sight, as it can
be found on the wall of Palazzo Vecchio.
Situated near the duplicate of Michelangelo’s
David, on the corner of the palazzo nearest to
the Uffizi Gallery, you’ll find a mysterious
carving.

This carving is said to have been done by

young Michelangelo, but the motivation
behind it is a bit murky. Some theorize that
Michelangelo carried out a dare to carve the
image of a man with his back facing the wall.

A funnier theory suggests that he carved the

face of an annoying man who would often
stop him for a chat around this area. Hence
the name “l’importuno,” which roughly
translates to “nuisance.”

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Regardless of your preferred theory — and

there are many more origin theories to
consider — the artwork is an attractive gem
thanks to its mysterious nature. It’s a tiny
little work of art and not as glorious to
photograph, but it’s a fun little secret to be in
on.

Address: Piazza della Signoria, tucked

behind the sculpture “Ercole e Caco” by
Baccio Bandinelli

Clet’s Street Art

The notorious French artist, Jean Marie Clet

Abraham, gained popularity in Europe
through his cheeky sticker art. This artist
started as a painter and sculptor but was
drawn to the sense of freedom in street art.
Thus, he made a name for himself with his
stickers that slightly modify street signs
without interrupting the sign’s purpose.

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You’ll find directional arrows piercing hearts,

a man seemingly carrying the bar of a no-
entry sign, and other creative inventions.
These signs are not simply for the fun of it.
They’re used to create discourse and
challenge authority — in a beautiful way, of
course.

You’ll also spot Clet’s “Common Man” statue

in front of the Ponte alle Grazie. He had quite
a few legal troubles because of his
unauthorized placement of this statue. But
the “Common Man,” a figure juxtaposed
against the many sculptures of historically
important men in the city, stands proud as a
symbol of artistic freedom.

If you’d like to see more of Clet’s work, you

can head to his fascinating studio in one of the
best areas to stay in Florence, the San Niccolò
district. You may even have a chance to speak
with the artist himself.

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Clet’s Studio Address: via dell’Olmo, 8r

Lesser-Known Landmarks

Dante’s House Museum

Dante Alighieri, born in 1265, is widely

thought of as the father of the Italian
language. He broke away from the literary
tradition of writing in Latin, thus making
literature accessible to the general public.

You’ll likely be familiar with his most famous

work, The Divine Comedy. This work led
many to suspect him of heresy, but it also
shaped much of how society understands
morality today.

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Naturally, the city of Florence aimed to track

down the birthplace of Italy’s literary icon.
Researchers identified an area between the
church of S. Martino and Piazza dei Donati
that may have been Dante’s 13th-century
home.

Very little of the original building is left, but

the newer building, built in the 20th century,
perfectly emulates the medieval feel. You can
visit the interactive museum dedicated to
Dante’s life and join guided tours or
workshops that serve to educate people
about this great writer.

Dante’s House Museum consists of three

floors, with each floor delving into a different
key stage in Dante’s life.

Address: Museo Casa di Dante, Via Santa

Margherita, 1

Tower of Arnolfo

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A few places in Florence provide spectacular

views of the city, like Giotto’s Bell Tower. But
the Arnolfo Tower has managed to stay
somewhat off the tourist radar, making it the
perfect option to avoid large crowds.
Towering at about 311 feet, this attraction is
named after the architect Arnolfo di Cambio
and stands above Palazzo Vecchio.

Interestingly, the tower is not perfectly

centered, as it was built upon the ancient
Vacca tower, which belonged to the palace of
the Foraboschi. This tower also has a small
prison cell named the Alberghetto, where
Cosimo il Vecchio was held in 1433 and
Jerome Savonarola in 1498.

You can climb the 233 tower steps to reach a

viewing point with panoramic vistas of the
city and Duomo. Consider getting a combined
entry ticket so you can see the Palazzo
Vecchio before climbing the tower.

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Address: Piazza della Signoria, 2

Off the Beaten Path | Florence Attractions

Stibbert Museum and Garden

If you’re looking for a calm (and curious)

attraction to visit in Florence, you don’t want
to miss the Stibbert Museum and Garden.
Situated in the Villa di Montughi, this house
museum is filled with almost 50,000 unique
items from around the world.

Frederick Stibbert, an avid collector and

patron of the arts from the 19th century, had
an immense fascination with anything “exotic”
and foreign. At the age of 21, he came into a
large inheritance. This allowed him to realize
his dream of building a unique and curious
collection of objects from different cultures,
eras, and countries.

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At his death, the villa and its beautiful garden

— also dotted with interesting items — were
donated to the city of Florence. Today, you
can visit his house and collection of armor,
weapons, clothes, and objects brought from
around the world.

The gardens, modeled after the English

gardens of his time by Giuseppe Poggi,
contain all kinds of curiosities worth
stumbling across. These include grottos,
statues, a domed Hellenistic temple
decorated with majolica tiles, and even an
Egyptian temple — complete with lions and
sphinxes.

Note: The garden is closed on Thursdays.

Address: Via Federico Stibbert, 26

Bargello National Museum

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Set in one of Florence’s oldest buildings, the

Bargello Museum is Italy’s first national
museum, established in 1859. This property
dates back to 1255, initially serving as the
Capitano del Popolo headquarters and later
housing the Podestà and Council of Justice.

In the 16th century, this building became the

residence of the head of the police — the
Bargello. Eventually, it also served as a prison.
In its centuries of operation, these walls bore
witness to executions, fires, and sieges.

With its long and complex history, it is only

fitting that this building houses some of the
most important Renaissance sculptures in
Italy. These include works from artists like
Ammannati, Danti, Giambologna, Verrocchio,
and, most notably, Donatello and
Michelangelo.

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The three-story exhibition also houses

various historical items ranging from textiles,
medals, tapestries, antique furniture, and
more from the Medici family and other
donors.

Be sure to head to the Donatello room to see

the David statues. The Michelangelo room
houses the Bust of Brutus (the only bust the
artist ever created) and the sculpture of
Bacchus — Michelangelo’s first free-standing
work.

Address: Via del Proconsolo, 4

Tickets: Buy here

DISCOVER: how to get from Rome to

Florence

Final Thoughts on the Unique Things

To Do in Florence

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There you have it; some of the top gems you

simply can not miss when you visit Florence.
Some of these attractions are quieter
alternatives to more popular attractions,
while other sights are merely unknown to
most visitors to the city. But they’re all
guaranteed to leave an impression on your
memory.

Another of the city’s hidden gems are the

wine windows of Florence, which are worth
keeping an eye out for, though there are only
two in use, at restaurant Babae and gelateria
Vivoli. You’ll also love this guide to the best
day trips from Florence.

Let’s discover hidden Italy

We love Italy’s untold places and stories. If
you like to wander off the beaten path and
discover the unique and wonderful, check out
these articles

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Hidden gems in Italy

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