Florence is ringed by the foothills of the Apennines and sliced by the river Arno. Narrow alleys lead between graceful piazzas where the massive scale of churches and civic buildings—and the splendid art works they house—reflect the wealth once generated by the city’s thriving economy.

The cradle of the Renaissance, Florence is replete with frescoes, paintings, sculpture, and architecture created in an era in which art was the cornerstone of cultural activity. Works by Giotto, Masaccio, Brunelleschi, Donatello, Botticelli, Michelangelo, da Vinci, and Raphael are all concentrated in the city’s churches, museums, and public spaces.

From her home in Tuscany, art historian Elaine Ruffolo traces the art and history of this jewel of a city, from the dawn of the Renaissance to the era of the Medici dukes.

World Art History Certificate elective: Earn 1/2 credit*

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*Enrolled participants in the World Art History Certificate Program receive 1/2 elective credit. Not yet enrolled? Learn about the program, its benefits, and how to register here.