By Jessica Rowe
We all know that Florence is a beautiful city filled with incredible sites. If you’re an artist, you might feel at a loss for where to begin drawing the scenery – fear not, we’re here to help!
Florence’s beauty deserves to be captured in art by hands of all levels, from the very professional to hobbyists. However, in a city so full of phenomenal views, it might be hard to know where to start sketching. Here is a short list of some of the best places in the city to settle down and break out your sketchbook:
- Piazza Massimo D’Azeglio – This piazza is a beautiful park full of leafy green trees, stone paths, benches, and a playground. There are plenty of places to sit down and relax. The environment is perfect for doing some drawings and you’ll have plenty of subjects to choose from – the greenery, the park itself, or even the surrounding buildings which have intricate stonework on their exteriors.
- Piazza Santa Croce – The Basilica of Santa Croce is the perfect subject for your sketchbook. Besides being breath-taking, the details on its exterior will give you plenty of practice at fine-tuning your drawing skills. There aren’t many places to sit around the building – it may be easier to find a place to sit in one of the surrounding restaurants – but the view is worth it.
- Lungarno delle Grazie/Ponte alle Grazie – The Lungarno della Grazie runs along the river Arno, giving you a beautiful view of the other half of the city. There are cafes here that you can sit at and look out the windows while you draw. If you go out on the Ponte alla Grazie, you’ll have an amazing view of the Ponte Vecchio. There is nowhere to sit but if you’re careful, you can lean against the railing while sketching.
- Piazza della Repubblica – At night, this piazza is the most beautiful place to be. In the center sits a carousel ringed with lights and street performers dance and sing nearby. Around the piazza there are nice restaurants and at its back is the wall marking the center of the city. It’s always buzzing with people and movement. There are plenty of places to sit and sketch this beautiful scene.
There are, of course, many additional beautiful places to sketch in Florence, but this list is meant to give you a place to start. Find more incredible views on your own and fill your sketchbook with the sights of Florence.