Florence, Firenze in Italian, is a city rich with history, art, and culture.  Historically it has always been a rival to Rome.  In terms of art, Florence continues to be one of the most important cities in all of Europe.  The Piazza Signoria, shown above, is just beyond the Uffizi Museum's plaza and has on one side the Palazzo Vecchio, the "old palace" of the Medici rulers.  It is one of the most dynamic squares in all of Italy.  The Uffizi Museum, which houses works by Leonardo Da Vinci, Botticelli, Caravaggio, among others is by far one of the most important museums for the Italian Renaissance.  It's no wonder that artists come from all over the world to study art in Florence.