Taking an unforgettable tour is a top priority for those seeking to explore Florence beneath the surface. Destination Florence curates visits and tours that bring you to a deeper understanding of many of the city’s most striking sites, including those that sometimes go under the radar. We take you through what’s offered in their small-group tour of Brancacci Chapel, and the open-ticket to Palazzo Strozzi that allows you to see the striking works by contemporary British artist Tracey Emin at your convenience.
Discover the secrets of the Brancacci Chapel
The Brancacci Chapel is a hidden gem in the Oltrarno that’s home to awe-inspiring frescoes by Masaccio and Masolino. You are taken on a small-group tour through the works by the renowned Renaissance masters, allowing you to admire up close the portraits of the city’s most-influential 15th-century figures.
At the time of Masaccio, the early 1400s, his innovative use of perspective and chiaroscuro (light and shadow) revolutionized the artistic practices of the era, going on to inspire the greatest artists in history, including Michelangelo and Caravaggio.
Beyond the brushstrokes of Masaccio and Masolino, you’ll see the touches of Filippino Lippi, the artist who later completed the chapel’s frescoes. The intriguing hidden meanings of the intricate details and the stories behind each scene are all revealed, from the momentous expulsion of Adam and Eve from Paradise to the dramatic storytelling of Saint Peter’s life, with the figures almost seeming to come to life.
Tracey Emin at Palazzo Strozzi
From the Renaissance, we leap forwards to contemporary art with Tracey Emin’s Sex and Solitude at Palazzo Strozzi. Always a highly anticipated arrival on the city’s art scene, the latest exhibition in the Renaissance palazzo sees the intimate and strikingly honest works by the British artist known for her often autobiographical works that treat themes like sexuality, loneliness, illness, and love. On display from March 16 until July 20, an open ticket through Destination Florence grants you access for the date and time of your choosing, enjoying direct entry and no need to stop at the ticket office.
Tracey Emin at Palazzo Strozzi ph. Ela Bialkowska OKNO studio
Tracey Emin at Palazzo Strozzi ph. Ela Bialkowska OKNO studio
Tracey Emin at Palazzo Strozzi ph. Ela Bialkowska OKNO studio
Tracey Emin at Palazzo Strozzi ph. Ela Bialkowska OKNO studio
The works vary from drawings, paintings, sculptures, video, installations and photography, with the body and human relationships at the centre of the works. Curated by Arturo Galansino, the pieces date from the 90s through to the present, with visitors bound to be struck by the large-scale piece titled ‘I Followed You to the End’ (2024) that occupies the central courtyard, and the neon installations that greet you once you reach the first floor above.
