The heart of Florence is undoubtedly the Piazza del Duomo, where the monumental Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore rises. This architectural wonder of the Renaissance hides a fascinating legend related to its construction. According to local legends, when architect Arnolfo di Cambio was faced with the challenge of designing the cathedral's dome, he received divine inspiration from angels. Another version of the legend claims that it was the devil himself who helped Filippo Brunelleschi construct the dome, which remains today the largest brick dome in the world. Admission to the cathedral itself is free, making it an ideal starting point for a budget exploration of the city. However, it is worth remembering that entrance to the dome and other parts of the cathedral complex is already charged. For frugal travelers, a good option is to purchase a combination ticket, which comes out cheaper than separate tickets to each site.

Piazza del Duomo also offers an excellent opportunity to admire the marble facade of the cathedral, whose colors - white, green and pink - symbolize faith, hope and love. Note the details adorning the facade, which tell biblical stories and Florentine legends. According to one, the sculptures depicting the saints on the cathedral's façade come to life at midnight and descend to walk around the square. Local residents claim to have sometimes heard quiet footsteps and whispers coming from the square on moonless nights.

Not far from the Piazza del Duomo is the Ponte Vecchio, the oldest bridge in Florence, which is also rich in legends and mystery. This medieval bridge, was the only one to survive the bombing during World War II, which is attributed to the intervention of the spirits of the ancient goldsmiths who ran their workshops there for centuries. According to another legend, lovers who lock the padlock on the bridge and throw the key into the Arno River will secure eternal love. Although this practice is now forbidden due to the protection of the monument, the legend still lives on in the stories of the guides.

The Ponte Vecchio also offers stunning views of the Arno River, especially at sunset, when the golden rays are reflected in the water. It's a great place to enjoy the city skyline for free. For frugal travelers, the bridge also makes an excellent landmark for walking around the city on your own. It's worth knowing that above the stores on the bridge runs the mysterious Vasari Corridor - a secret passageway built for the Medici that connected Palazzo Vecchio to Palazzo Pitti. Although entry to the corridor is limited and paid, just knowing you are walking under this historic passage adds to the mystery of the trip.

For those thirsty for legends and savings, take advantage of the free guided walks that are organized regularly in the center of Florence. The guides often share lesser-known stories and legends that don't make it into the official guides. Keep in mind, however, that while the walks themselves are free, it is customary to leave a tip for the guide.

Piazza della Signoria is a veritable treasure trove of Florentine legends and mysteries. This historic square, which has been the political center of the city since the Middle Ages, is surrounded by buildings full of secret histories. It is dominated by the majestic Palazzo Vecchio, whose name means 'Old Palace'. According to local legend, Princess Bianca Cappello and her lover were walled up in one of the palace's chambers when their forbidden affair came to light. It is said that on moonless nights you can hear their whispering and crying coming from behind the walls. Admission to the Palazzo Vecchio's main courtyard is free, allowing you to see part of this historic building without spending money. A full tour of the museum is already paid for, but for frugal travelers there are student discounts and free entry on select days of the year.

Piazza della Signoria is also home to the Fountain of Neptune, known by locals as 'Il Biancone' (The White Giant). It is surrounded by an intriguing legend that says that on the night before important events in the city, the statue of Neptune comes to life and descends from its pedestal to walk around the square. According to another story, the fountain was cursed by its creator, Bartolomeo Ammannati, when Florentine citizens criticized his work. He was said to have cast a curse that the water in the fountain would never be clear - and indeed, despite numerous renovations, the water always has a slightly cloudy tint. The fountain is available to view completely free of charge, making it an ideal spot on a budget tour.

Right next to the fountain is the Loggia dei Lanzi, an open sculpture gallery that also does not require an admission ticket. This architectural gem hides the legend of stone statues that are said to come to life at midnight and hold philosophical disputes among themselves. Among the most famous sculptures are Giambologni's 'Kidnapping of the Sabines' and Benvenuto Cellini's 'Perseus with the Head of Medusa.' The latter sculpture is surrounded by a particularly dark legend - it is said that Cellini, in order to obtain a perfect cast, threw his most precious vessels into the molten bronze, and according to some versions of the legend, even the body of his pupil. Viewing these masterpieces by moonlight adds to their mystery and drama.

Near the Piazza della Signoria, in the Piazza del Mercato Nuovo, is the famous Fontana del Porcellino (Fountain of the Wild). This small bronze sculpture depicting a boar is surrounded by one of the most famous Florentine legends. It says that rubbing the boar's mouth and inserting a coin into its maw, and then letting the coin fall through the grate below, ensures good luck and guarantees a return to Florence. Legend also has it that if the coin falls into the grille the first time, the wish will come true. This tradition is so popular that the boar's snout has been rubbed to a shine by the hands of thousands of tourists. Best of all, this attraction is completely free (aside from the cost of the coin you drop in for luck), making it ideal for budget travelers.

For those who want to learn more about the legends associated with these places, consider attending the 'Ghosts and Legends of Florence' evening walk. Although such tours are usually charged, the cost is relatively low compared to other attractions, and the knowledge and atmosphere provided by local guides is priceless. Alternatively, you can pick up an inexpensive book on Florentine legends and explore the city's mysteries on your own, an even more economical solution.

The Church of Santa Croce is not only the resting place of some of Florence's most prominent people, such as Michelangelo, Galileo and Machiavelli, but also a treasure trove of fascinating legends. According to one of them, a mysterious manuscript containing the secrets of alchemy was hidden in the church's vaults, supposedly belonging to Leonardo da Vinci. Another legend claims that during a full moon, the spirits of artists buried here come out of their tombs to continue their unfinished works. Although there is a fee to enter the church, the piazza in front of Santa Croce is a great place to rest and contemplate, completely free of charge. For frugal travelers, it's worth knowing that admission to the church is free on certain religious holidays, which is worth checking before planning a visit.

On the other hand, the Church of San Miniato al Monte, located on one of Florence's highest hills, offers not only breathtaking views of the city, but also the legend of Saint Miniato. According to the legend, when the saint was beheaded, he raised his head, crossed the Arno River and reached the hill where the church now stands. There he chose to rest for eternity. Legend has it that whoever visits the saint's tomb at sunset and asks for a blessing will receive special protection. Admission to the church is free, making it an ideal point on a budget tour. In addition, the walk up the hill, while demanding, is an excellent alternative to the paid viewpoints.

Returning to the city center, there are some lesser-known but equally fascinating sites worth noting. One of them is a small stone set into the wall of a building on Via del Corso, marked 'pietra dello scandalo' (stone of scandal). According to legend, in the Middle Ages, bankrupts were tied to this stone and publicly humiliated, having to hit their bare asses against it while the crowd shouted insults. This peculiar tradition was meant to serve as a warning to other debtors. Finding this stone can become a fascinating urban game, completely free of charge.

When visiting Florence on a budget, you should also take advantage of the numerous markets, which not only offer the opportunity to buy souvenirs at affordable prices, but are also the source of local legends and stories. Mercato Centrale, while mostly known as a shopping destination, has its own dark history. It is said that its basement was the site of secret meetings of alchemists who tried to discover the elixir of immortality. Today you can find inexpensive local delicacies there, perfect for travelers on a tight budget.

For those who want to feel the true spirit of Florence without spending money, participating in the local custom of 'aperitivo' is ideal. Many bars offer a buffet of appetizers for the price of one drink (usually reasonably priced). This is a great way to experience the local culture and cuisine without straining your budget. During an aperitivo, you can also strike up conversations with locals, who are often willing to share lesser-known legends and stories about their city.

All in all, Florence offers countless opportunities to discover mysterious legends and history without spending a fortune. The key to budget sightseeing is planning - it's worth checking the days of free admission to museums (usually the first Sunday of the month), taking advantage of free attractions such as piazzas and fountains, and moving around on foot, which not only saves money, but also allows you to discover hidden corners of the city often overlooked by organized tours. Florence, with its rich history and mysterious legends, is waiting to be discovered - and it doesn't have to cost a fortune.