Panorama showing the showing the view over Florence from the northwest corner of Piazzale Michelangelo on Mons Fiorentinus.

Piazzale Michelangelo - Florence visitor guide showing a virtual tour of 'Piazzale Michelangelo' linked to an interactive map with local and travel information. 360° panoramas from Tuscany.

Piazzale Michelangelo is a famous square with stunning panoramic views over Florence and a popular tourist attraction in the city as a result. It was laid out between 1865-70 by Giuseppe Poggi 104m above sea level on the flanks of Mons Fiorentinus, to the south of the city center at the time when Florence was the capital of Italy.

Dedicated to Michelangelo, the square contains bronze copies of several of his most important work, with a copy of 'David' taking pride of place in the center of the Piazzale. The terrace behind the square is dominated by a Neoclassical loggia, which was intended to house a museum of Michelangelo works but today contains a restaurant.

Nearby are San salvatore al Monte Church and the much more popular San Miniato al Monte Basilica.

Piazzale Michelangelo - the View

Most people come to piazzale Michelangelo for the views over Florence. Most of the important buildings in the city can easily be picked out from here, seen in this picture:

Florence Cathedral whose massive dome dominates the skyline. Next to it is the slender Giotto's Campanile bell tower.
• Baptistery of San Giovanni white roof can be seen to the left of the cathedral, along with the red dome is the New Sacristy of San Lorenzo.
• Palazzo Vecchio tower, the tallest tower in Florence rises from Piazza della Signoria.
• Nearby are the battlemented, tower of Bargello and the slender spire of Badia Fiorentina
• Santa Croce, the Franciscan church, san be seen by the river Arno.
• Santa Maria Novella's tower and spire rise up close to SMN Train Station.

Bus: Piazzale Michelangelo (12, 13)