Venice, Florence - too many museums.

Old Dec 2nd, 2016, 05:22 AM
  #1  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 569
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Venice, Florence - too many museums.

Hi again Italy experts

I'm planning our upcoming 2 days Venice, 3 days Florence trip. Arriving Dec 25, leaving Dec 31.

With such a short time in the 2 cities, I don't want to spend too much time indoors, in museums and churches. We love looking at art, but we also love wandering (and floating) around outdoors, experiencing the towns and their great architecture. I'll enjoy looking for the sites mentioned in the 'Secret Venice' and 'Secret Florence' guidebooks.

Museums -
Of course we must see the Uffizi, but is the Florence Academia a must see? I know it has the 'David' but other than that is it a world class museum? Will the Uffizi show me so much Renaissance art that it's not that important to see the Academia? In Venice, are the Guggenheim and Venice Academia must sees. If you had to pick only one museum in Venice, which would it be?

Churches -
The interior of St. Marks in Venice is a must see. I've read that the interior of the Duomo is not that great. Any other must see church interiors, given my short time frame.

Other site interior must sees -
I suppose the interiors of the Doges Palace and Pitti Palace are must sees. What else?
Governator is offline  
Old Dec 2nd, 2016, 06:52 AM
  #2  
 
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 42,574
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts
I'm honestly not certain if you are asking for advice or simply making a declaration such as "interiors of the Doges Palace...are must sees."

I know people who would say the Pitti is not a "must see" compared to other locations AND with your self-described not wanting to spend too much time, etc.

Have you BEEN to any of these locations/museums/churches before?

Frankly, just make decisions and go. Some you are going to end up thinking were fabulous and others not so much.
Dukey1 is offline  
Old Dec 2nd, 2016, 07:01 AM
  #3  
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 7,853
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
In Venice I'd pick the Guggenheim.
Seeing the David in the Accademia is really breathtaking. There are other interesting pieces in that museum depending on your taste but the David is the big draw.

The Uffizi is enormous so again this depends on you and your tolerance, we took a guided tour with an amazing docent in a very small group (6 of us) and we enjoyed that much more than we would have doing it on our own.
It depends on how much Renaissance art you want to see.
Also this museum is super busy.

Can't comment on the interior of St. Marks, too many people to get near it both times I was there.
The Duomo in Florence is stunningly beautiful on the outside, again I didn't feel like lining up to go inside. But what I did do and highly recommend, is go to the Museo dell'OPera del Duomo, just to the side of the Duomo at Piazza del Duomo,, 9. This museum just reopened last November after refurbishment, I went in March and was really impressed.

It has many of the original works of art created for the cathedral of Florence, plus a beautiful model of the dome itself, everything is displayed in a very modern and fresh way. A very elegant museum and a pleasure to be in.

With such a short time in Florence I wouldn't go to the Pitti Palace unless there is a special exhibit you want to see. Again, it is an enormous venue, you could spend hours and hours in there. I went in March to see a fashion exhibit and it was quite interesting, but overall I'd say the Pitti Palace is not my favourite, it just doesn't seem all that well curated or managed really.
raincitygirl is offline  
Old Dec 2nd, 2016, 07:44 AM
  #4  
 
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 7,584
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Well, if it is cold and wet when you are in Venice you may have to spend a lot of time in museums and churches.

Venice is not a good city to walk around in the rain. The streets are so narrow it is an absolute nightmare to use an umbrella.
You will play dodgems with other pedestrians.

If you like 20th century art--Jackson Pollock, Joseph Cornell, Chagall, Francis Bacon--you would enjoy Peggy Guggenheim.

For Tiepolo, Canaletto, Pietro Longhi, Guardi, I would suggest Palazzo Rezzonico.

Palazzo Querini Stampalia for Meissen and elaborate 18th-century interiors.

My favourite churches in Venice are Santa Maria dei Miracoli, Frari, and San Pantalon.

Thin
Pepper_von_snoot is offline  
Old Dec 2nd, 2016, 08:08 AM
  #5  
 
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 5,334
Likes: 0
Received 8 Likes on 1 Post
Is the Bargello on your radar? We enjoyed that more than huge crowds around David in the Academia. The Bargello has the fascinating Donatello David.
Nelson is offline  
Old Dec 2nd, 2016, 09:10 AM
  #6  
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Posts: 6,629
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Another vote for the Guggenheim, baring heavy rain, the sculpture garden is excellent. The museum is not huge so won't take a day, amazing location.

Once you decide on which museums you want to see, purchase advance tickets or the queues will eat in to your time--enormously. For me, Uffizi is a must. Medici Chapel at Basilica San Lorenzo has amazing Michelangelo sculptures, which you can see quite close up unless things have changed.

People watching? All the main squares have large and pricey cafés with awnings and space heaters. Take advantage of sunny days to get off the beaten path.
Cathinjoetown is offline  
Old Dec 2nd, 2016, 09:25 AM
  #7  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 24,817
Received 4 Likes on 3 Posts
I would definitely see the interior of the Baptistery in Florence. It's like walking into a jewel box.

I second the recommendation of the Bargello.

If your interests include history as well as art I suggest seeing the interior of the Basilica Santa Croce. You'll see the tombs and monuments to many of the greats in Italy's history as well as a beautiful series of frescoes in the apse and complex mosaic floor patterns. Note the mark on the interior wall near the main entry doors that indicates the height of the water and mud in the great flood of 1966.
Jean is online now  
Old Dec 2nd, 2016, 12:00 PM
  #8  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,969
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
>>> With such a short time in the 2 cities, I don't want to spend too much time indoors, in museums and churches.

As others mentioned, it may not be up to you to decide spending time indoors or outdoors in the rain or even snow.

Each person has own definition of "must sees" and corresponding list of what constitute as "must see." It is ok to hit places others expect you to visit regardless of your interest level in art. It is your time and your money. Without getting into the merit of objects of art to your, you can get practical info in this forum.
greg is offline  
Old Dec 2nd, 2016, 12:10 PM
  #9  
 
Join Date: Sep 2016
Posts: 2,302
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
We have been to Rome - Firenze - Venise on a same trip and we got an indigestin of museums and paintings.

If I were to go back, I'd scrap all museums focused on catholic paintings - just saw too many...

As for churches, I stop by EVERY church whatever size, age, etc to look at it. Then I decide how much time I stay.

I could also kill people with umbrellas in Venice.
WoinParis is offline  
Old Dec 2nd, 2016, 12:15 PM
  #10  
 
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 7,919
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
The Uffizi is a must-see only if you're passionate about Italian Renaissance and Mannerist art. Otherwise there are other museums that you would probably enjoy more, and that are smaller and less crowded. I agree with the Duomo museum and the Bargello, and would add San Marco, an ex-convent with very beautiful frescoed monks' cells. Santa Maria Novella is a beautiful church with great art inside, and a very nice cloister. Santa Maria del Carmine also has great art, but there's often a wait to get in.

If you're not an art lover and don't go to museums at home, there's no law that says you have to visit museums when you're on holiday. You're paying a lot for your vacation; don't let strangers tell you what you "must see".
bvlenci is offline  
Old Dec 2nd, 2016, 12:43 PM
  #11  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 569
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Thanks for all of the recommendations! Many of these were not on my radar. If the weather is bad this post will very useful.

If the weather is good, however, I want to limit my indoor time.

So what I'm trying to figure out is, what are the 2 or 3, spectacular, amazing, knock your socks off, jaw dropping, pinch me I'm dreaming, indoor places in each of Venice and Florence.

A few examples of places that I've been to, elsewhere, that I would categorize as such, the Vatican, Seville Cathedral, Sainte Chappelle, Grote Kerk of Haarlem, all of the national geographic list of top ten museums (except Uffizi and Hermitage), Orsay Museum, Pompideu Museum, Blue Mosque, etc.
Governator is offline  
Old Dec 2nd, 2016, 12:48 PM
  #12  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 7,067
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Who says any of these are "must sees". Of course every place you mentioned has great art. But with only five days - unless the weather is horrible - I wouldn't go into ANY of them - at least not if there were lines and there probably will be.

In Venice and Florence the buildings themselves, and the entire city-scape: the bridges, fountains, statues, streets - they are all works of art. You don't need to wait in line or pay money to see 'art' in those cities. The architectural set pieces that are the piazzas and streets are the equal of any painting or sculpture in a museum.

And in both those cities I think some of the best paintings are found 'in situ' - in the churches, where they were intended to be, not taken away to a museum.
isabel is offline  
Old Dec 2nd, 2016, 01:21 PM
  #13  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,214
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
IMHO, what you should be asking is "what are your two favorite indoor places in Venice and Florence - and WHY." That way you can figure out if someone else's "must-see" is your must-see as well.

For example, I really love San Marco, in Venice. That is because I love mosaics, and that basilica has many mosaics, from many different time periods. If you go to the museum up above the front of the building, you can see the mosaics from that upper level. I could spend hours there, looking at them.

My second indoor place in Venice would, I guess, Santa Maria dei Miracoli, because it's so gorgeous; the colors of the marbles are magnificent. The Doge's Palace is wonderful and historic, but just doesn't hit me as much as the other places. But there are many other lovely churches that I love to visit in Venice, as well.

In Florence, for me, definitely the Uffizi is first, because there's just such a huge concentration of Renaissance art, which is very appealing to me. As for 2d, I'm not sure, for me. David, at the Accademia, is amazing, but it's really the only striking piece there (IMHO). I really like the Bargello, it's nice to see just statues for a change of pace. And the Pitti Palace is a mess in its organization, but it includes works by Raphael, Caravaggio and Artemisia Gentileschi, all of which I love.

Go to the websites for all of the places we all have suggested, and see what appeals to you the most.
Lexma90 is offline  
Old Dec 2nd, 2016, 01:42 PM
  #14  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 569
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
"In Venice and Florence the buildings themselves, and the entire city-scape: the bridges, fountains, statues, streets - they are all works of art. You don't need to wait in line or pay money to see 'art' in those cities. The architectural set pieces that are the piazzas and streets are the equal of any painting or sculpture in a museum." --isabel

Precisely, which is why I don't want to spend too much time indoors.

However, being as it's ranked as one of the great museums of the world, I have to see the Uffizi.

Of course, in the end, I will formulate my own priorities. I'm just interested to see what others think.
Governator is offline  
Old Dec 2nd, 2016, 06:28 PM
  #15  
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 9,613
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
OK, my choice (which may not be yours) would be the Academia over the Uffizi, although the Uffizi is certainly worth seeing. The Academia is a small museum and won't take you too long but seeing David is a must for me. I also really enjoyed the Bargello and San Marco. I would skip the Pitti Palace and the inside of the Duomo but pop into the Baptistry.

In Venice, I would go into St. Mark's and climb up to the top where you get a lovely view of the square and can see the original horses inside. I would skip the Doge's Palace. I really enjoyed the Guggenheim museum which would be my choice of the one museum to see.
KTtravel is offline  
Old Dec 2nd, 2016, 06:40 PM
  #16  
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 10,253
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
In Vneice, if you hope to view the mosaics in the Basilica of San Marco, it is important to visit when the ceiling is illuminated: The St. Mark’s interior is illuminated from 11:00 a.m. to 12:15 a.m. on weekdays and all day on Sundays and holidays.

I always recommend the Chorus Pass to those visiting Venice. The churches on the pass all have worthwhile art to view, with some real favorites included like the Frari and Santa Maria dei Miracoli. Each charges a 3 euro admission, but with the Chorus pass, You can visit all of them for just 12 euro total--by your fourth church you have broken even. Yes, there are many other churches to visit in Venice that do not charge admission, but those on the Chorus Pass have good lighting and good information sheets for visitors. Other reasons I like the Chorus Pass: the churches are spread across Venice, so to visit them you may walk through more obscure neighborhoods. And if you can't commit to painting after painting in the Accademia Gallery, a church makes a much quicker visit.

As for Florence, I have visited it a number of times over the years, but I am not a fan of the Pitti Palace or the Boboli Gardens. I think the Uffizi may be disappointing to visitors uninterested in Renaissance art, aside from the Botticelli room. To my eye, the older galleries are ill-labeled, ill-lit, and ill-hung.

The Galleria Accademia, mostly visited for David and the unfinished sculptures, can be a relatively quick visit, though it has a charming musical instruments section that might be interesting to you and many people miss.

Many people enjoy a visit to the Museum of San Marco in Florence. It is a the convent where Fra Angelico lived and painted, and includes a small gallery, but most interesting is wandering from monk's cell to monk's cell to see the frescoes Fra Angelico painted in many.

The Church of San Miniato al Monte is one of the best exampls of Tuscan Romanesque architecture surrounded by a cemetery. It makes for a nice visit combined with the nearby scenic overlook Piazzale Michelangelo. Take a bus or taxi up the hill to the piazza and church and then enjoy a nice downhill walk back into town.
ellenem is online now  
Old Dec 2nd, 2016, 07:27 PM
  #17  
 
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 7,584
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
>fountains<

Oh, really?

What are some famous fountains in Venice?

>piazzas<

In Venice they are called Campos.

There is only one piazza in Venice, San Marco.

And also a Piazzale Roma.


Thin
Pepper_von_snoot is offline  
Old Dec 2nd, 2016, 09:31 PM
  #18  
kja
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Posts: 23,089
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
IMO, nothing is a “must-see” unless YOU want to see it. That said, some comments:

Florence’s Accademia is not, IMO, a “world class” museum – it’s holdings are too small for that designation, as I see it. But the David and the prisoners are so magnificent, and so extraordinary, that I, personally, cannot imagine visiting Florence and skipping the Accademia. YMMV.

If I had to choose only one museum in Venice, I would make a decision based on genre: The Guggenheim has only MODERN art; the Venice Accademia has CLASSICAL art.

Please consult a good guidebook or two to learn more about the magnificent museums, churches, and other sites in these two incomparably rich cities so that you can decide what will meet YOUR needs.

You’ve gotten some great advice, which basically, IMO, comes down to: do some research and make your choices accordingly. Honestly, none of us can choose for you.

Good luck!
kja is offline  
Old Dec 3rd, 2016, 04:56 AM
  #19  
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 29,531
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Add my vote for Bargello and David in Florence.

In Venice, the Scuola below is beautiful and there are others to see online:

http://www.scuolagrandecarmini.it/
TDudette is offline  
Old Dec 3rd, 2016, 06:35 AM
  #20  
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Posts: 985
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
When in Florence, you should walk inside the Duomo ... but in order to appreciate it, you MUST first read Brunelleschi's Dome. This will tell the story of this engineering and architectural wonder — how the largest free-standing dome in the world (at the time) was constructed using 16th century technology ... and without using any scaffolding.

Read the book. Then when you walk inside the cathedral — and take the stairs to the top of the dome — you will marvel at what you're experiencing.

Here's the link on amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/Brunelleschis.../dp/1620401932
travelhorizons is offline  

Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information -