Symbol of the renaissance, Florence (or Firenze in Italian) is sometimes referred to as the world's art capital. Listed as a world heritage site by UNESCO, the capital of Tuscany has an abundance of churches, palaces, museums and charm. Firenze is also a recognised culinary hot-spot. Art, old stone buildings and fine wines… Florence, the city of the Medici family, is a great place to visit.
Splendour is a word which fits Florence perfectly, and
the city is rich in both architectural and cultural heritage. Founded in 59BC as
Florentia, it became so prosperous and influential in the 13th century that it
created its own currency, the Florin. In the 15th century, under the influence
of the powerful Medici family, the Tuscan city became one of Europe’s great
intellectual and artistic centres. With the help of Leonardo Da Vinci,
Botticelli and Michelangelo, not to mention Lorenzo the Magnificent and his son
Giovanni de Medici, elected Pope in 1513 under the name Leo X, the Tuscan city
grew in wealth, power and splendour. Today, Florence is a listed UNESCO World
Heritage site. With a total population of nearly 900,000, Firenze is a dynamic
city boosted by the pharmaceutical and chemical sectors, as well as fashion and,
of course, tourism. With 10 million visitors every year, the Tuscan capital has
first class hotel accommodation, a modern public transport system and above all
a warm, welcoming atmosphere worthy of its historic reputation.
You'll need several days just to get round the main attractions in Firenze. Start with the iconic Santa Maria del Fiore Cathedral (or The Duomo), before moving on to the Piazza della Signoria, home to the Palazzo Vecchio and the world-famous Uffizi Gallery with its masterpieces by Botticelli, Leonardo Da Vinci, Raphael, Michelangelo, Titian and Caravaggio. And don’t forget the Basilica di San Lorenzo or the Basilica di Santa Croce - the burial place of Galileo and Machiavelli. The Ponte Vecchio is a must-see, and lead you straight to Palazzo Pitti. In this semi-pedestrian area, tourists are spoilt for choice. Don't forget to book your visits in advance for certain museums. Florence is also well-known for its gastronomic delights. Whether it be in the pizzerias, trattorias or ristorantes, a treasure trove of Tuscan flavours awaits. And better still, l'aperitivo is the Italian version of Happy Hour. With a glass of wine, you can enjoy appetizers of risotto, pasta salad, fresh melon and ham and much more. A great way to make the most of this city's atmosphere: there’s more to Florence than the museums!
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Florence
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