Florence is art and eternity, it’s a city where old and new collide to bring to life an unforgettable place.
Getting to know Florence is a must for lovers of art and architecture.
Tuscany, the region in which the city is based, is a place marked by the traces of the Renaissance and the works of great artists who, at the end of the Middle Ages, promoted the development of man and created some of the most beautiful art of all time.
Founded by the Romans in the 1st century BC, Florence began its development in the Carolingian period and reached its peak between the 11th and 15th century under the rule of the Medici family.
The Grand Duchy of the Medici was succeeded in the 18th century by the Married of Lorraine, and Tuscany became part of the Kingdom of Italy and Florence, reclaiming
its role as an important center of the arts.
Florence: cradle of the arts
To stroll through this Italian city is to enter fully into the world of culture. Monuments, squares, palaces, churches and museums make the city come alive.
The historic area is located around the Piazza Della Signoria, which houses the Palazzo Vecchio, the administrative center of the city since medieval times, the Loggia dei Lanzi and, very close by, the Uffizi Gallery, one of the most important museums in Italy.
A few minutes away is the Piazza del Duomo, whose center is the Basilica of Santa Maria del Fiore, Florence’s cathedral, known for its imposing dome, a Renaissance masterpiece designed by Filippo Brunelleschi.
Climbing the 453 steps to the dome is hard, but enjoying the breathtaking views of the city is worth every step.
The monumental complex of the Piazza del Duomo is completed by Giotto’s Campanile and the Baptistery of San Juan. The great attraction of the baptistery is the east door, whose panels were craved by Ghiberti and covered with gold paper. Later, moved by his great ego, he carved his own image on the door.
Following the tributary of the Arno River is the mythical Old Bridge, better known as Ponte Vecchio.
Of medieval origin, it was remodeled during the Renaissance, replacing the furriers’ shops with jewelers. It was the only bridge that survived the Nazi bombing of the city, making it the oldest bridge in town. There, after you have enjoyed the jewelry, there are several coffee shops where you can relax with an exquisite hot chocolate or traditional cappuccino.
Other important points to visit are the Accademia Gallery, where the original of Michelangelo’s David is exhibited; the Basilica of San Lorenzo, located next to the Palazzo Medici-Riccardi, the old family seat of the Medici; the Palazzo Pitti, a Renaissance building of grand proportions; the Republic Square, one of the most important in the city; the Plaza de Santa María Novella, the National Museum San Marcos and the Plaza de Santa Croce.
Put simply, Florence is eternity and art, the cradle of such great figures as Dante, Cimabue, Giotto, Ghirlandaio, Leonardo da Vinci, Rafael, Donatello, Brunelleschi, Miguel Angel, Cellini and other greats of culture. The city boasts an atmosphere in which classical and modern collide to generate a unique and incomparable place, one to admire and remember for a long time.
