Florence. One of the world’s most beloved cities. Home of the Medicis, patrons of art, and of Michelangelo’s David. A beautiful place that is on every tourist’s must-see list. But, not a city known for contemporary art. Can it be found here? I took a trip to find out!

FLORENCE PROPER

Those looking to stay close to the glitzy Via de’ Tornabuoni are in luck. Galleria Poggiali, my favorite contemporary art gallery in the city is hidden just a few doors down. Clean and modern space carved out of an old home, it displays large pieces that are sure to capture your eyes and your mind. Don’t forget to ask the owner to take you over to their second location for a viewing of the spectacular Venice Biennale sculpture by Claudio Parmiggiani.

Returning to the hustle and bustle of Florence’s shopping district, stop by Palazzo Strozzi and the Strozzina Gallery. Since their space is focused on temporary installations, you may not always find a live show, but the well curated museum shop on the ground floor is worth a stop.

After you’ve perused the shop, head down to the Eduardo Secci Contemporary. During our visit, the gallery was showing a few large neon pieces by Gerold Miller and it was intriguing to explore the stark contrast between the art and its medieval surroundings.

Nearby, you can also stop at the Salvatore Ferragamo museum that currently has an interesting exhibition focused on sustainable materials and design.

For those willing to venture a bit further, make your way to Forte Belvedere. An old fort originally designed to protect the nearby Palazzo Pitti now often houses large sculptural works by global artists and provides a nice change of scenery.

THE FLORENTINE “BANKSY”

As you walk through the cobble-stoned streets, you may come across smallish blue-tinted portraits of famous artists and adaptations of famous works of art, all sporting underwater goggles. You spot the first one and it’s amusing. Then another pops up and you get curious. Then it becomes a sport – what other piece of art has the artist “adapted”? Where will you find the next one? Soon enough you are on a treasure hunt for these little gems in Lucca and all over Tuscany. Your curiosity piqued, you investigate. Turns out, these adorable paintings are the work of Florence’s own Banksy who goes by the name Blub. Don’t leave Florence without finding at least one!

A HIDDEN GEM IN SAN GIMIGNANO

If you are willing to hop in a car and travel through the rolling hills of Tuscany (such hardship, I know!), make your way to San Gimignano. The tiny town known for its many towers was one of my favorite stops of the entire trip. Stay until sunset. I have rarely seen anything more spectacular than tower after tower being painted in the magical golden light that only Tuscany can produce. If the architecture alone is not enough to make you set out on your way, consider this: San Gimignano is also home to a great contemporary art gallery, Galleria Gagliardi. Stop by. You will not regret it.

MR. BRUNELLESCHI’S MASTERPIECE

While it doesn’t technically qualify as contemporary, no visit to Florence would be complete without a stop at the Duomo. The cathedral’s massive dome posed a veritable architecture challenge at the time of its construction. Unable to use concrete as architects did in the Roman Pantheon, Filippo Brunelleschi built the inner dome out of bricks and supported it with a set of four internal horizontal stone chains, serving as barrel hoops. Innovative thinking extended throughout the structure, down to the herringbone brick pattern that was used to transfer the weight of the freshly laid bricks to the nearest vertical ribs of the dome and hold the bricks in place while the mortar was still wet. Mr. Brunelleschi’s genius built an octagonal dome that will forever be associated with this beautiful city. If you care about design and architecture even a little bit, it’s a must-see.