Florence, Italy

While the city of Florence was founded by Julius Caesar,  it is considered the home of the birth of the Renaissance.  The foundations and tunnels of the old Roman city are still beneath the streets of the city, but they are not as visible to visitors. 

The Baptistry of the Doma is one of the oldest structures in the city. The octogon-shaped building was originally a temple to Roman gods before it was converted into a Christian structure.

The Doma was covered with a facade of marble when Florence was temorarily made the capital of Italy in the 19th century.

The bell tower was constructed separately from the rest of the structure.

Among the medieval structures is this guild house and grain market. It was originally an open air structure, but the arches were later filled in to make a closed structure.

Patron saints of the guilds were placed on the exterior columns.

A similar structure that is still open is located outside of the government building and functions as an outdoor sculpture gallery.