Florence's Hidden Art Treasures (Self Guided), Florence

The “Cradle of the Renaissance,” Florence is one of Europe’s most beautiful and busiest destinations, home to some of the world's greatest pieces of art and architecture. The iconic masters like Giotto, Botticelli, Raphael and Michelangelo, as well as their somewhat less-known but equally talented counterparts, such as Ghirlandaio, Sangallo and Castagno, have blessed this city with their creations, leaving behind a wealth of spectacular artistic treasures – chiseled, painted, or erected in stone.

With more than 4 million visitors lured to Florence each year, it’s no surprise that on a repeat trip to the Renaissance capital you may want to avoid this seemingly ever-present tourist siege. Luckily, there's much more in this cultural mecca than meets the eye. In fact, some of the city's most impressive works are tucked away in the off-center locations and thus don’t get that many viewers. What's also important is that much of this beauty can be seen without payment whilst wandering the squares, entering the churches graced by the talent of renowned painters and sculptors, observing the adornments on buildings and opting for free museums.

Rounded up here are some off-the-beaten-path locations in Florence where you can admire a groundbreaking painting, sculpture, or fresco without having to endure long lines and perpetual crowds:

Chiostro della Scalzo – one of Florence’s most intimate and beautiful spaces, featuring a combination of Sangallo’s architecture and Andrea del Sarto’s frescoes;

The Last Supper of Sant'Apollonia Museum – Andrea del Castagno’s name has, over time, been eclipsed by his more famous Renaissance contemporaries, yet his works, such as the powerful, timeless Cenacolo di Sant’Apollonia fresco, reveal extraordinary draftsmanship and audacious style;

The Last Supper of Ognissanti Church and Museum – far enough from the city center, this church is an important destination for exploring the work of the grands like Giotto, Botticelli and Ghirlandaio, whose wonderful paintings form a key conceptual link to understanding the changes introduced by successive generations of Renaissance artists.

If you're a discerning Florence tourist, repeat visitor, or an art critic eager to get to know Florence deeper and from a different angle, take this self-guided walking tour.