( CNN ) -- Known as the cradle of the Renaissance , Florence is a culture-rich city in the heart of Tuscany , Italy . Over the centuries , it has been home to Renaissance masters Leonardo da Vinci , Giotto , Michelangelo , Dante and Brunelleschi , who have left their legacy in a trove of art and architecture that is world renowned . It is this rich legacy that inspires art-lovers to visit , and in summer the city is crammed with tourists determined to make the most of the city 's treasures . While small , Florence contains a quarter of the planet 's UNESCO world heritage sites , which can be overwhelming for first-time visitors . With this ratio of classics-per-square-meter , it 's impossible to see everything in one visit -- but here is a selection of CNN 's cultural highlights . A good starting point is Florence 's cathedral , The Duomo ( Piazza del Duomo ) , whose teracotta-and-white dome dominates the city 's skyline . The building 's ornate facade is decorated in pink , white and green marble . Inside , however , the cathedral is refreshingly simple . The 700-step climb up the inside of the dome -- architect Brunelleschi 's 15th-century feat of engineering -- is not for the faint-hearted , but the views from the cupola are well worth it . Also in the cathedral square is Giotto 's Campanile , a belltower that soars into the Tuscan sky . With its magnificent statues , rich relief carvings and strong design , it exemplifies Renaissance architecture . If heights do n't make you dizzy , iyou 'll also get a great view of the city from the top . One of the oldest art museums in the Western world , the Uffizi Gallery is unmissable . Come here for a who 's who of Renaissance art : As well as da Vinci 's `` Annunciation '' and `` The Adoration of the Magi , '' the gallery houses `` The Baptism of Christ , '' attributed to Verrocchio and da Vinci , as well as numerous works by Giotto , Botticelli , Michelangelo , Rafael , Titian and Tintoretto -- truly a visual feast . Some believe that the Palazzo Vecchio conceals a hidden treasure . It is thought that da Vinci 's `` The Battle of Anghiari '' could lie hidden behind one of Vasari 's frescoes , not least because Vasari , who greatly admired da Vinci 's work , has included the words `` Seek and you shall find '' in one of his paintings . Forensic art historian Maurizio Seracicin is using infra-red rays to see if it 's there . Michelangelo 's sculpture `` David '' takes pride of place at the Accademia Gallery , where you can also find Botticelli 's `` Madonna and Child . '' For more sculpture , head to the Bargello National Museum , where you 'll find an impressive array of works by Donatello , Luca della Robbia , Verrocchio , Michelangelo and Cellini . At the Museum of Leonardo da Vinci , visitors flock to see life-size models of the artist 's ideas and inventions , from a glider to a tank , all carved from wood . It 's a great place to appreciate the range of Leonardo 's creativity . If you 're footsore and feeling overwhelmed after racing around the key cultural sights , it might be time to head away from the crowds . Over the Roman Ponte Vecchio Bridge , famously lined by jewelry shops , is the Pitti Palace , seat of the Dukes of Tuscany , and rising up behind it are the exquisite Boboli Gardens . Take a picnic and climb up to the top , then congratulate yourself on escaping the crush and admire the view . Alternatively , take a trip back to the Middle Ages by listening to San Miniato 's Benedictine monks sing Gregorian chants during vespers at Florence 's oldest church , dating back to the 11th century . It 's another spot that affords great views , as it sits at one of the highest points in Florence . Florence is also strongly associated with Italian fashion . Gucci , Pucci and Cavalli were founded here , as was Ferragamo , while Prada , Chanel , Armani and others retain a strong presence in the city . The glossy boutiques can be found on Via Tornabuoni -- or you can follow the fashionistas and pick up some cut-price designer treats at the thriving designer outlets on the outskirts of Florence . And if you are looking for something more offbeat , try the Museo La Specola , a zoology museum where you can find eerily accurate wax models of corpses , a multitude of stuffed animals and other Victorian museum curiosities .
The cradle of the Renaissance , Florence has produced some of Italy 's greatest artists . Despite its small size , the city boasts a quarter of the globe 's UNESCO world heritage sites . Florence is home to treasures from famed artists such as da Vinci , Michelangelo and Botticelli .