Florence

General

Florence Marcus Aurelius, or perhaps Diocletian, made it the headquarters of the Corrector Italiae, a kind of governor who was responsible for Tuscany and Umbria. With the arrival of the barbarians, Florence was first besieged by the Ostrogoths (405). Next came the Byzantines, who occupied Florence in 539, and the Goths who took over the city in 541. Under Lombard domination (570) it managed to safeguard its autonomy, while under the Franks the number of inhabitants diminished and the city lost most of its territories. Around the year 1000, the city (whose symbol is a lily) began to expand. In 1183 it became a free commune, even though it had already actually availed itself of this freedom for many years. The first clashes between the two factions, Guelf and Ghibelline, date from this period. The former were followers of the Pope, the latter of the Emperor. The ensuing struggles were to lacerate the civil structure of the city until 1268. Despite the unstable social and political situation, this period witnessed an upsurge in the arts and in literature: this was the time of Dante and his “dolce stil novo”, of Giotto and Arnolfo di Cambio. In the 15th century Florence grew as a trading centre but also as the new cradle for Italian, and eventually European, culture. Many powerful families (the Pitti, Frescobaldi, Strozzi, Albizi) vied for supremacy in the city and one soon took control. The powerful Medici, a family of bankers that began with the founder Cosimo 1, later known as the Elder, were to govern up to the first half of the 18th century, transforming Florence into a beacon during the period of Humanism and the Renaissance. In 1737 the Medicis were succeeded by the house of Lorraine and government continued along the lines of moderate liberalism, though by then the greatest period of Florentine culture was on the wane. In 1860, during the Risorgimento, Tuscany was annexed to the Kingdom of Italy with a plebiscite. Florence then briefly became the capital of the new nation. The city’s historic centre suffered terrible damage during the Second World War and some important buildings were completely destroyed, yet despite this and the flood of 1966 which had such a devastating effect on the urban fabric and structure, the fascination of Florence has survived over the centuries.

Best travel time

In Florence, there is a continental climate. The winters are quite cold and the summers are hot and humid. During the hottest periods of the year, many people seek refuge in the hills and countryside around the city.

Traditions and Culture

Florence is divided between its traditional cultural heritage and more modern art. However it is the tradition of food that makes up a large part of the culture. The art is rather the symbol of Florence. Along the city there are many buildings, sculptures, plazas, churches and museums (over 70!) That creates a magical atmosphere in the city. The artistic heritage is not only present in Florence, but also in villages surrounding the city. Finally, Florence is also home to one of the oldest and most prestigious Italian universities: the University of Florence. Today, this university is home to thousands and thousands of students coming from Italy but also abroad. Florence is known worldwide as the city of Art and a major cultural and economic center of the Middle Ages. When you think of Florence a few images come immediately to mind: the Uffizi Gallery, Michelangelo's David, and the church of Santa Maria del Fiore. It is therefore no coincidence that millions and millions of tourists from all over the world come to Florence to admire the wonderful artistic and cultural heritage surrounding the city.

Religion

Most of the Italian population is of Christian faith with Catholic confession.

Landscape

Florence is the capital of the Tuscany region of Italy, and with a population of nearly 370 000 inhabitants it is the main economic center as well as the cultural center of the region. Florence is divided into two by the River Arno and is surrounded by beautiful hills. With its extraordinary artistic and cultural heritage, Florence is known worldwide as the city of Art.

By bus

You can travel around the city conveniently by bus. In the old town you can even travel using the old fashioned trams.

By plane

The main airport is located 4 km northwest of the city and is connected to all major European destinations. There is an ATAF shuttle that you can take from the airport or simply take a taxi. The average travel time to the city is about 15 mins.

By train

You can easily reach Florence from other European cities by train. The station is called Santa Maria Novella - SMN (The main station which is located in the center).

Sights

The city has over 70 museums. Science, classical art and crafts among their themes. The best known museum is the Uffizi Gallery, one of the most important museums in the world that contains within it an extraordinary artistic heritage of rare beauty. Here are paintings of the leading masters of the sixteenth century, such as Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo and Donatello. The major work of the Uffizi Gallery is the Primavera (or Venus) by Botticelli. The museum also houses many paintings of the twentieth century church. In addition to the Uffizi Gallery in Florence there are other famous museums, such as Galleria dell’Accademia (which houses the David of Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci Museum and the Archaeological Museum (which boasts numerous collections of Etruscan and Egyptian civilizations). Walking along the streets of the city you can enjoy varied and fascinating buildings, churches, palaces and squares. The Old Bridge, which crosses the Arno river, is a symbol of the city. The bridge has an impressive architecture and is characterized by the presence of antique shops. The Piazza della Signoria is the central square of Florence, home to many masterpieces of art and is within walking distance of Uffizi.

Events

There are regular events held throughout the year. Including; cultural fairs, wine tasting, sport events and music festivals.

Food

Of course the food is an integral part of the Italian culture. Florence is known for its high quality restaurants and selection of treats. Dishes are often made from simple ingredients like bread and oil. Florence is famous for its Florentine steak, about two inches thick cooked rare on a BBQ. Chestnuts are a popular ingredient used in desserts. The Florence area also has a long tradition of wine, with varied quality wines known nationally and internationally as the famous Chianti.