Enjoy Florence – the Athens of the Middle Ages
Firenze – Florence in Italian – the mighty capital of Italian Renaissance (before it moved on, to Rome) situated in Tuscany, Italy. This Italian province is famous for its wines and beautiful medieval towns on the hills, and Florence is Tuscany´s largest pearl.
Attractions
This city of Medici Family, that ruled the city during three centuries, tempts today with all art treasures collected in one of the best art galleries – Uffizi, and with its beautiful Duomo in the centre. The abundance of art and architectural treasures in Florence is beyond belief; among other most important landmarks of Florence are: Medici´s residence Palazzo Pitti, Palazzo Veccio with the statue of David by Michelangelo, basilica Santa Croce, sculpture collection in Accademia and Bargello, the church of San Lorenzo with the Medici Chapel and the church Orsanmichele.
And a stroll over the picturesque Ponte Vecchio will be valid as a dear memory as much as the similar walk over Venice´s most famous bridge would do.
Leisure, entertainment and nightlife
Perhaps a good meal, a concert, a picnic with a view or a stroll in Boboli Gardens will cure your “Stendhal syndrome” – it is proven that not only Stendhal felt sick and dizzy of being exposed to such amount of beautiful art concentrated in one place.
Getting here and getting around
A new airport “Amerigo Vespucci” is situated only 4 km from the city, which makes a transfer to Florence easy and quick. Taxis (fixed rate) or shuttle bus “Vola in bus” will take you to the city.
Trains connections are good and many, as well as regional buses.
In Florence, there are buses and taxis. The historical centre is worth exploring simply by walking. Florence was definitively not built for cars; and there are restrictions for vehicles in the centre, so this form of transport will be useless here.
Time zone: UTC (GMT)+1. Daytime saving time (DST) is observed.
Currency: Euro (EUR, €).
Climate: Humid subtropical. Hot, humid summers (June - August), little rainfall. Cool, damp winters; occasional snow.
History
The city was established by Julius Caesar as a settlement for his veteran soldiers. The golden age of the city begun in 11th century; Florence became a centre of medieval European trade and finance, and later, under the patrons of art – the Medici, the cradle of the Italian Renaissance. The different periods of rule or influence of the Medici Family ended first in the middle of 17th century. Tuscany became a province of the United Kingdom of Italy in 1861 and Florence replaced Turin as Italy's capital in 1865. The capital was soon moved to Rome.
During WWII the city experienced a year-long German occupation.
The worst Arno river flood since 1557 occurred in 1966, killing 100 people and devastating millions of masterpieces of art. At some points, the water level reached 6 meters.
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