Added in early 2002 as the second main pillar of the Kunstsammlung and accommodating contemporary art was the Ständehaus am Kaiserteich, until 1988 the seat of the Parliament of North Rhine-Westphalia. Four wings with continuous arcades surround the building’s central public area, a spacious plaza. The creative treatment of this representative building in the Historicist style (1876-80) by the Munich architectural office of Kiessler + Partner created a modern museum building with a striking glaze domed roof which shapes the building’s aesthetic and at the same time spans an expansive sculpture garden located on the uppermost level. Together, a flexible hall for temporary exhibitions in the ground floor level and the upper galleries comprise more than 5300 m² of surface area. Installations and artist’s rooms are an important focus of the Kunstsammlung, an area which has been expanded continuously in recent years.

Best known for Michelangelo’s David, this gallery is a must for anyone interested in Italian art, from Renaissance sculpture to paintings and even some old musical instruments. Besides David, you’ll find works by Botticelli, Ghirlandaio, Pontormo, and others.

You can’t really miss it—Florence’s cathedral (Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore) dominates the skyline with that massive red-brick dome. Construction began in the 13th century and continued for nearly 150 years, which is evident in the diverse styles. The outside is covered in pink, green and white marble—oddly beautiful up close. Inside, check out Vasari’s Last Judgment fresco under the dome. If you’re up for the climb (and it is quite a climb), the view from the top is worth the leg burn.