Would it be difficult to push a wheel chair between the Uffizi and other sites in Florence? I refer mainly to the proliferation (or not) of cobblestones and similar obstacles.
Posted by
San Jose, CA
1994 posts
You might search the web for wheelchair or accessible travel options in Florence. There should be a fair amount of info out there. Here's a place to start: http://www.sagetraveling.com/Florence-accessible-travel
Having spent a fair amount of time pushing wheelchairs around my home town... the good news is that Florence is flat. I don't remember lots of rounded cobblestones; I remember flatter stones that would be more challenging/jarring than pavement, but I don't think they'd present a tipping risk... just hard pushing. The area from the Uffizi to the duomo/baptistry/duomo museum is a pedestrian area, so you won't need to deal with lots of curbs. I'm not remembering if there are wheelchair cuts, but that would surprise me. The major museums had elevators, and I seem to remember some wheelchair lifts. I hope you're able to go. Florence is so amazing.
Posted by
Toledo, Ohio, US
11613 posts
Donn, there are some curb cuts in Florence (and other cities), but they are often blocked by parked cars. Wheeling through the pedestrian areas in Florence should be okay, the stones are fairly large. Rome has some small ones and some of the cobblestoned areas are not in good shape, but it's probably easier to wheel than to walk in those areas.
Posted by
Elk Grove, CA, USA
6898 posts
Donn, when it comes to handicap or wheelchair accessible, Italy and the U.S. are on different planets. In the historical areas of Florence, the sidewalks are narrow and many are made of the original cobblestone. Some streets also have the cobblestone. Cars often park on the sidewalk forcing you to go around. Still, there are some nice street areas and plazas where you will have easy access. Here is a link to some more information on accessibility to many of the sites. http://www.tour-web.com/accessibleitaly/infofire.htm