In the 16th century Via Maggio was an elegant and wealthy street. Proof of this is in the great number of Renaissance mansions on both sides of it. At present it is lined with high-quality antique shops.
On this street also sits the luxurious Palazzo di Bianca Cappello (nº 26), which owes its name to Francesco I de Medici’s mistress and later wife. Other buildings built in the same style are Palazzo Ricasoli-Firidolfi (nº 7), Palazzo Martellini (nº 9), Palazzo Michelozzi (nº11), Palazzo Martelli (nº13) and Palazzo di Cosimo Ridolfi (nº15). Their construction or refurbishing dates from the 14th to 16th century.


Piazzale Michelangelo (Picture 1) provides extraordinary sweeping views of Florence (Picture 3) and many choices for buying a souvenir David! (Picture 2). It is always filled with buses bringing tourists to admire the views of the hillscape and Florence. There is a bus (nº13) connecting Santa Maria Novella station to the piazzale (simply meaning large square).