If you want to visit a city where history lives and breathes, where it is still part of everyday life, visit Florence, Italy. As an important center in the medieval Europe and a birthplace of Renaissance, Florence is a history buff’s delight. Dotted with monuments, churches and other sites, this city is known as an ‘open-air museum’.

The Duomo: The Basilica de Santa Maria del Fiore or Duomo, as it was originally called, is a vast Gothic structure. The construction of the cathedral started at the end of the 13th century. It stands at the site of a 7th century church, the church of Santa Reparata. The dome of the church is considered to be one of the most impressive renaissance projects. Even with modern technology, it remains the largest brick dome. The exterior polychrome pattern of pink, white and green marble is striking. The interior, as if in deliberate contrast is starkly calm. Climbing the 463 steps through the dome’s interior to reach the lantern for an awesome view, has to be the top of your list.

Battistero di San Giovanni: Across the Duomo cathedral, this octagonal Baptistry is one of the oldest buildings of Florence. Its famous gilded bronze doors were made by Andrea Pisano (south door) and Lorenzo Ghiberti (north and east). In fact, so impressive was the eastern door that Michelangelo dubbed them the ‘Gate of Paradise’. Today what you see is a copy. The original has been removed for restoration.

Do not miss the marble sculptures above the doors. The interiors have mosaics on the apse and ceiling. It also houses many remarkable works of sculpture

Uffizi: With a history of who’s-who in the art’s world, Florence’s most famous museum has to be a must on your to-do list. Together with the Vatican Museums in Rome, it is the most visited museum in Italy – and little wonder! This museum stores works of revered artists such as Botticelli, Giotto, Raffaello, Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci.

It was built according to Giorgio Vasari’s designs as the offices for Florentine magistrates in 1560. Later the State Archives were also brought under this roof and so it came to house the most awe-inspiring art collection of the world. However, make sure to get a ticket online. The long queues at entrance are as legendary.

Bargello: From its unlikely beginning as a prison, the Bargello houses the largest collection of Gothic and Renaissance sculpture in Italy. Its collection of renaissance sculpture is second to none. This is where you will find masterpieces such as Donatello’s David, Jacopo Sansovino’s Bacco and Michelangelo’s Bacchus, David-Apollo.

Accademia: Home to Michelangelo’s David, the Galleria dell’ Accademia is the next stop in your itinerary. It also houses Giambologna’s Rape of the Sabines, Boticelli’s Madonna of the sea and Madonna and Child. Again, to avoid long lines reserve tickets by phone or online.

Piazza della Signoria: Unarguably, the most famous square in Florence, it has kept its reputation as a political hub through ages. This is home to some of Florence’s most famous buildings like the Uffizi and Loggia della Signoria.

However, the most impressive in terms of structure remains Palazzo Vecchio. This medieval massive Romanesque palace is the town hall of Florence. Tourists throng the palazzo’s brilliant public rooms and private apartments.

The streets and squares of Florence are a lesson in art history with beautiful sculptures and monuments. It has an unparalleled collection of renaissance art in its many museums and churches. It is little wonder then that Florence remains a top tourist spot in Europe.