Florence, capital of Tuscany in Italy, is an iconic Renaissance city. Founded on the banks of the Arno River, it is renowned for its exceptional artistic heritage, elegant palaces, churches and renowned museums such as the Uffizi Gallery. The Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, with its famous dome designed by Brunelleschi, dominates its historic centre, which is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The birthplace of great masters such as Michelangelo, Dante and Leonardo da Vinci, Florence is now a veritable open-air museum, combining culture, gastronomy and the Italian way of life.