Piazzale Michelangelo and San Miniato al Monte

Stops along the way

Things to notice.

1. 01

   1

   Porta San Niccolò

   Start at the foot of the climb, at the one medieval gate Florence never lowered to the city's later wall height — so it still stands full and square by the river. Stretch here; the next ten minutes are all up.

   01

   Porta San Niccolò

   Start at the foot of the climb, at the one medieval gate Florence never lowered to the city's later wall height — so it still stands full and square by the river. Stretch here; the next ten minutes are all up.

   ◉Street View
2. 02

   2

   Rampe del Poggi

   Take the ramps, not the stairs — Giuseppe Poggi's looping terraces of grottoes and little fountains, restored a few years back and far prettier than the direct steps. The city opens a little more at each turn.

   02

   Rampe del Poggi

   Take the ramps, not the stairs — Giuseppe Poggi's looping terraces of grottoes and little fountains, restored a few years back and far prettier than the direct steps. The city opens a little more at each turn.

   ◉Street View
3. 03

   3

   Piazzale Michelangelo

   The terrace everyone means when they say the view of Florence: the duomo, the tower, the Arno's bridges, the hills behind. There's a bronze copy of the *David* in the middle and a café behind. Come early; the coach groups arrive mid-morning.

   03

   Piazzale Michelangelo

   The terrace everyone means when they say the view of Florence: the duomo, the tower, the Arno's bridges, the hills behind. There's a bronze copy of the *David* in the middle and a café behind. Come early; the coach groups arrive mid-morning.

   ◉Street View
4. 04

   4

   San Salvatore al Monte

   A short climb above the piazzale, the church Michelangelo called his *bella villanella* — his pretty country girl. Plainer and emptier than San Miniato just up the slope. A good pause in the cypresses.

   04

   San Salvatore al Monte

   A short climb above the piazzale, the church Michelangelo called his *bella villanella* — his pretty country girl. Plainer and emptier than San Miniato just up the slope. A good pause in the cypresses.

   ◉Street View
5. 05

   5

   San Miniato al Monte

   The reason to keep climbing. A green-and-white marble facade from the 11th century, an inlaid marble floor of zodiac signs and beasts, and a crypt below. If the monks are singing Gregorian chant at the late-afternoon service, sit and stay.

   05

   San Miniato al Monte

   The reason to keep climbing. A green-and-white marble facade from the 11th century, an inlaid marble floor of zodiac signs and beasts, and a crypt below. If the monks are singing Gregorian chant at the late-afternoon service, sit and stay.

   ◉Street View
6. 06

   6

   The monumental cemetery (Porte Sante)

   Behind the church, the walled cemetery where Carlo Collodi, who wrote *Pinocchio*, lies among Florentine families under cypresses. Quiet, formal, and almost never busy. Walk back down to the piazzale for the Bus 12 into town.

   06

   The monumental cemetery (Porte Sante)

   Behind the church, the walled cemetery where Carlo Collodi, who wrote *Pinocchio*, lies among Florentine families under cypresses. Quiet, formal, and almost never busy. Walk back down to the piazzale for the Bus 12 into town.

   ◉Street View