History of Florence Italy

Florence is above all a city of art. Florence is the birthplace of many famous people such as Dante, Boccaccio, Machaivelli and Galileo Galilei. Florence was made more beautiful by the works of art of Michelangelo, Brunelleschi, Botticelli, Donatello and Giotto.' Whoever visits Florence cannot ever be deluded. This thanks to its cultural and artistic inheritance almost unique in Europe and in the world, which has its base in the middle age and its maximum glory in the Renaissance.

Florence and Rome are the history of our civility. In Florence , in the XV century, bases were set to reflourish art and culture, here thanks to writers like Dante, Petrarca and Macchaivelli, culture and the Italian language were born. Artists like Botticelli , Michelangelo and Donatello made Florence to be one of the artistic capitals in the world.

A Piece of History
Florence was founded by the Romans in the 59B.C. and called Florentia . You can see 'Cardo Maximus' in the actual street Strozzi, street degli Speziali and street del Corso; and the 'Decumanus' in street Calimala, street Roma, and street Por Santa Maria. In the actual ' Place of Repubblica' the Foro was found during the imperial period the city increased its richness, it became an active commercial centre where handicraftsmen worked and made Florence famous. During the Barbarian invasion the city occupied by Ostrogoti, Byzantine and Goth of Totila. It was in that period that the inhabitants gathered around the Bishops, in the monasteries, which became centres of culture and work. The Longobardi conquered it later in the VI century and only later the city emerged from the darkness of the middle age into an independent sate. After the Longobardi were defeated by the Franchi, the Duke was substituted by a count; later the counts were substituted by the Marquis. Florence reached the height of its glory between the XI and XV century, becoming one of the main centres of power in Italy, balancing between the authority of Emperors and Popes, superating the fear of the struggling between the Guelfi and Ghibeliini.

In the XV century Florence passed under the Signoria dei Granduchi di Tuscany. Lorence and the rest of Tuscany remained under the dominium of Medici for three centuries. In this period the city was at the height of its glory, from the artistic, political and economical point of view, the city developed in an enormous way: painters, sculptors and architects filled roads, churches and palace with the greatest works of art of the Renaissance. In the Granducato dei medici was succeeded by the Loren in the XVIII century, whose Granducato lasted until 1860, in the year in which Florence was the capital from 1865 to 1871.

Florence, 1000-1300

The city of Florence in the XI and XII expanded to the right bank of the river Arno. Small villages rose on the other side of the river , so in the 1172 a second fencing wall was built. The towns closed inside the first fencing wall, were formed of a mass of houses and watch towers, whereas the building between the first and second Fencing -walls were more stretched out.
In the XII and XIII there was a strong commercial boom thanks to the large number of artisans-ironmongers, shoemakers and jewellers. In the 1100 the city became autonomous, in 1200 it was constituted of Counsellors , with the help of Town Counsellors . Power was in the hands of the rich: this caused rivality among the rich families. The families were very united and their houses became higher, becoming when necessary fortresses with drawbridges, forming a good defendable position.

Discord between the richer families increased so much that two parties were formed: The Guelfi , faithful to the Pope but against the Emperor and the Ghibellini, faithful to the Emperor but against the Pope. The Ghibellini were the strongest for a short time; in the 1250 the Guelfi took over the town Council was ruled bythe Signoria and the city was very prosperous. In these period an alliance was formed with Lucca, Siena, Arezzo and Volterra , San Gimignano and Poggibonsi were bought this prosperity caused rivality once more between the Guelfi and Ghibellini: after a short time the Guelfi regained dominion of the city. Great importance was given to the corporations divided in Maggiori and Minori.

Among the main corporation was the Arte of Lana , that of Giudici, Medici and Speziali , which brought more prosperity and welfare to the city . At the end of the XIII century it became the political and religious centre of the city due to the building of the cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore and Palazzo Vecchio.
The dialect' Volgare' considered the most harmonious of all, was stated to be the written and spoken language. Thanks to the prosperity the desire to make the city beautiful was very strong, in fact personalities such as Cimabue, Gaddo Gaddi for artists, Arnolfo di Cambio for sculpture, geniuses like Dante and Giotto emerged in these period. Apart from the Battistero and the Church of Santa Reparata others were built : San Michele Visdomini, SS Apostali, San Niccolò and Santa Margherita Sopr'Arno.

Florence, 1300-1400

In the first half of the third century many important events happened in the social and economical life in Florence. Thanks to the social and urban growth many towns arose. At the beginning of the century the urbanistic development of the city does not changes very much.
The last fencing wall was started in 1248 and completed in 1333; this wall included the towns and new productive and religious Installations, which were realized outside the doors of the pre-existent walls, some of these new place arose thanks to various order of beggars (Carmelites, Franciscans). These orders were already present in the previous fencing wall in the main roads: street Romana, Roads toward the Valdarno, street i Pratese and street Pistoiese, the road towards Mugello and passes toward Bologna. Apart from all this there were installations of Patrician order which created important transformation in the town life. All this was supported in particular by the rich families who had strong interests in the town. There were many changes in the area inside the ancient wall of 1078 to adapt the town to the new exigency. In these century many changes regarded the life of the town, the rich families controlled all the building and their transformation. We owe to them the construction of Hospitals and charitable institutions. The Magistracy and Council dictated rules which regarded any initiative of public character, another important new transformation was that of the building initiative: the promoters were generally religious or other corporations, for example, the fine Arts.

Florence of XIV century was very renovated in comparison to the XIII century but the function is always the same, the city life was based on a hierarchical conception and reflected on the institutions of the period. After the completion of the last fencing wall, the territory was divided into four Quarters, each Quarter was divided in four Gonfolans. In the oldest zone (the one around the Mercato Vecchio) there were the houses and shops of many old families, apart from the main political seats. In particular, the fine Arts were established there, in the oldest part of the city, the squares of the Cathedral and the Battistero, faced each other. The strip between the last one wall and the last one was full of houses and shops of small dimension; here there are big conventual or religious building belonging to the begging Franciscan or Domenican orders. In these region there were many towers, some of theme were incorporated in other buildings, in correspondence to small opening there were the Logge used for meetings and which became 'the heart' of the Florentine city life. In the centre of the city many public work yards were opened and very busy realizing works of arts; in fact Giotto and Talenti worked in the construction of the church-steeple of the cathedral (Santa Maria del Fiore). The Church of Orsanmichele and the Loggia del Bigallo were built near the cathedral; and the Loggia del mercato church and the Loggia dei Lanzi were also being built. In these period the Domenican church of Santa Maria Novella and he Franciscan church of Santa Croce were being rebuilt; the museum of Bargello was built and Piazza Signoria was put in order, as also the bridge alla Carraia and the Ponte Vecchio (re-formed in 1345).

The characteristic feature was the present of shops on the bridges (today they can be found only on Ponte Vecchio, the others were destroyed in the World War). The main part of the architectonic renovation of the city entrusted to Arnoldo di Cambio, who realized it in Gothic stile, the city tended to divide itself in two distinct parts: one central part situated to the north of the river, the external part situated around it, the river Arno passed through the city.

Regarding the citizens, we must remember that the high class did not disdain, contact with the lower class; there were shops and artisan laboratories near the palaces of nobility, at the end of the century the Florentines looked towards the country. The landscape changed due to interest of the citizens of investing in building outside the city and the aspect of the country is the same that today strikes the tourists who came to visit Florence.

Florence, 1400
1400 for the city was a century of revival, not only economically but also culturally, it was principally Florence that gave life to these new impulses, expressing the concept of reviving again, of renewing art, which will be the base of the Renaissance. The city became the fulcrum of this cultural movement, since the birth of the Renaissance, at the beginning of 1400, it developed new ideas.
The movement seems to be tightly connected with the new Florentine middle classes and it is The Pitti, Ruccelai, Medici, Strozzi familes who became promoters of the new culture and architectonical style. We can consider the Medici family as the most active; they collaborated with Cosimo il Vecchio, with Lorenzo il Magnifico and later with other artists and philosophers expressing the wishes of the new Signoria. In the limits of the Florentine culture of the Renaissance, Cosimo il Vecchio, who was the leader of these movement, protected the artist, and encouraged the building and artistic initiation of the city.

Great fervour was found in literature, with Poggio Bracciolini, Coluccio Salutati; in philosophy, with Marsilio Ficino who renovated the Accademia Platonica at Careggi; in architecture we find Filippo Brunelleschi, Michelozzo, Leon Battista Alberti, Bernardo Rosselino, Giuliano da San Gallo. The principal spur of these work is the study of art, culture and greek and roman philosophy which was studied in a scientific way. In using the traditional technology with the new ones, the artists worked uniting scientific knowledge with art. Nature and art became two detrmining factors: to measure and reproduce reality, a knowledge of prospective was necessary and fundamental.

These new studies gave splendid results in art, sculpture and architecture. In architecture artists like Donatello, Masaccio and Brunelleschi agreed with the studies. Brunelleschi's masterpiece is the Cupola of Santa Maria in Fiore, which sums up in a complete way, his activity apart from the cupola, he worked at the Ospedale degli innocenti, at the Carestia Vecchia di san Lorenzo, at the church of San Lorenzo, at the church of S.Spirito, Palazzo Pitti and directed works at the Cappella dei Pazzi. It is in the period that the beautiful architectonic masterpieces were built and that are admired by the whole world; many famous artists followed and Florence has become one of the main spots for international touring.

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Know Florence Italy

Giglio di Firenze The history of the city dates back to the first century BC, when Florence was founded by the Romans. In the Middle Ages, after a period of decline during the “dark ages”, the city began to flourish again under Carolingian rule, reaching highpoints of civilization between the 11th and 15th centuries when, as a free Comune, it managed to maintain a happy balance between the authority of the Emperors and that of the Popes and to weather the turmoil ensuing from the intestine struggles between the Guelphs and the Ghibellines. In the 15th century it came under the sway of the Medici, who subsequently became the Grand Dukes of Tuscany. This period, known as the Renaissance, marked the peak of the city’s cultural, artistic, political and economic splendour. The Medici were succeeded, in the 18th century, by the Grand Dukes of Lorraine, who governed until the unification of the peninsula in 1860. From 1865 to 1871 Florence was the capital of the newly formed Kingdom of Italy.

Florence the city of the art. No Many cities in the world introduce one complex personality like Florence. A visit of few days or of a single day, as it happens above all in the scholastic tourism, concurs of having one first impression of the city and to admire fastly someone of its many beauties.

It does not allow instead penetrating in the personality of the city, in that one of the past like in that one of the present. In order to hope to understand the deep spirit of the city and be conquered are therefore necessary repeated visits of some day and in the time.
For much people Florence it is the city of the art, a place in which the beautiful is at home. And in effects, if we think that approximately a tenth one of national artistic works is concentrated in Florence, this diffused impression appears very founded. Also a visitor moderately acculturated or however not distracted immediately see how much width is the area in which are stretched the numerous churches, the palaces private or publics of important interest, the roads in which the homogeneity of woven building and the light repeated changing of the roofs are transformed in unmistakable perspectives.

That immense area corresponds to that superficial enclosed in the third and more width circle of walls, constructed between the end del the 1200's and the beginning del the 1300's (the years of Dante, Giotto, Arnolfo di Cambio), when the city with its one hundred thousand inhabitants, was one delle four or five most important city of Italy and Europe. Of this only remain, for the demolitions of the second half of the 1800's, at the time of Florence Capital, the feature of Oltrarno, nearly integral, and, here of Arno, the tower of the Zecca and the three doors remained isolated in the squares created along the principal avenues.

Exist some aspects of actual Florence, that often escape also to the careful visitor, and in some case, also to the fiorentini. If Florence is in fact an art city, it is not only this, is not a city-museum, but Florence is a city rich of things to discover, not excluded the typical food, that it is characterized for its simple flavours as the 'bistecca alla fiorentina' and the optimal Chianti wines of the region.
And we do not want to refer, speaking about things to discover, to those fields of the handicraft and the commerce connected in the first place, or at least in part, with the tourism, and also important, like the fashion, in the last years however in crisis in favor of other cities, or like the jewels of Old Bridge and adjacent ways, or like the production and sale of embroiderys and objects of skin and straw, or like sure handicraft fields of quality, last patterns of the most glorious passed to handcraft (tasks to the carpenters restorers), or like the many storees of antique dealing.

We want rather to refer to Florence like city of the studies and the research. We do not only think, in saying this, to the studies and the research in the most famous humanistic fields, than also seem therefore congenital to the historical characters of the city, but also to the scientific field.
In Florence operates in fact, with to the scientific faculties of the University, one net of great respect of research public agencies: CNR, with about ten institutes; Astronomical observatory of Arcetri; one section of the National Institute for Nuclear Physics; National Optical institute; Sèperimentali institutes of the ministry of the Agriculture and forestry.

For who is interested to science and to the history of science, Florence offers the Botanical Garden and Museum, a History Museum of science and the Museum de La Specola, of which we advise one nourished collection of anatomical models in wax.

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Introducing Florence

So many lookers in such a good-looking city! Naked like Michelangelo’s David or rugged up in the latest winter fashion by their own world-class designers, Florentines and their city never fail to impress. Already in need of oxygen after admiring their art, visitors are mesmerised by the vision of locals at aperitivo time, effortlessly strutting, flirting and evidently enjoying life. At times it seems nothing much has changed since the days of the Medici.
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Of course much has changed. Florence’s short-lived stint as capital of Italy in 1865 was like a shot of adrenaline. The city bulldozed, constructed, rearranged avenues, wiped out whole quarters and tore down the medieval walls. And so the scene was set for the modern regional capital of Tuscany. Along the broad viali (avenues) that encircle old Florence a confusion of endless traffic tears around in chaotic style. Horns honk and brakes squeal as Florentines dart in and out of lanes in search of a break in the traffic. Ignorant of fear, motorini (moped) riders dash in and around larger vehicles, as if protected by some divine force.

The jewel of Renaissance Italy remains essentially what it was – a busy business centre. Even before the Renaissance was over, the wily Florentines had to concede that their town was on the wane, increasingly ignored on the European stage. But they never forgot their proud heritage and it was rediscovered in earnest by the rest of Europe from the late 18th century. Curious and admiring travellers, particularly the English, descended on the city as part of their Grand Tour. Ever canny with currency (after all, Florentines invented the florin, one of the most successful currencies in history), the locals knew how to cash in, as they still do, with utter aplomb.

The fortunate few get their first glimpse of Florence from the south. The road from rival Siena leads you to the heights backing the south bank of the Arno. Suddenly, through the trees, the glories of Florence burst into view – Giotto’s Campanile (bell tower), Brunelleschi’s dome, the Basilica di Santa Croce. Only the hardest of hearts can remain unaffected.

The memory of the Medici, who for centuries commanded the city’s fortunes and were, as generous patrons, instrumental in unleashing the Renaissance, lives on. To this day the family crest of six balls adorns many public buildings. The city’s artists and sculptors, supported by the Medici and other powerful families, regaled the city with their finest creations. Michelangelo, Leonardo, Donatello, Giotto, the Lippis, Masaccio, Botticelli, Pontormo and a host of others left their mark, and formidable galleries such as the Uffizi, Pitti and Accademia today house many of their works.

Medieval and Renaissance Florence was a financial powerhouse but it was never a romantic place. Its great families built fine mansions and lavished money on churches, public buildings and the arts, but not out of a love of beauty. To display greatness was to be great. The majesty of the Romanesque Baptistery, the Gothic Duomo and Renaissance basilicas was an advertisement as much of the power and wealth of Florence’s leading families as of the city’s artistic prowess. The families have gone, but the advertisements live on!

Florentines are born into a world of extraordinary timeless beauty, so it is hardly surprising that they cultivate their appearance, and do it so effortlessly. Home to the likes of Gucci and Ferragamo, Florence means one thing: style, both past and present. Phalanxes of stylish boutiques line up alongside the galleries and palazzi.

When the shops close, it’s time to eat. Sit down to a simple Tuscan meal of tomato stew followed by prime steak in a family-run trattoria or splash out on one of the city’s classic gourmet restaurants or stylish designer eateries. Florence is known for its top-grade Chiantis, but you should make the acquaintance of other exquisite tipples too: Montalcino’s Brunello, the Vino Nobile di Montepulciano and the more daring Super Tuscans.

You can easily explore Tuscany using Florence as a base: enjoy the medieval splendours of Siena, Pisa, Lucca and San Gimignano, and wander the undulating Chianti countryside.

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Florence Travel Guide

Florence is famous all over the world for its unique beauties. To visit the principal beauties in Florence you need at least 4 days.
For many years Florence has been the cradle of culture and art: many of the most famous artists of the Renaissance were born there and thanks to them thousands of tourists choose Florence for their holidays.
Florence signifies abundance or wealth; during the middle-age, thanks to the Medici family, became an important economic, cultural and artistic city.
The artistic patrimony of Florence is among the most important of the world.

• Famous museums (Uffizi Gallery, Pitti Museum, Museum of the Bargello, Archaeological Museum, Museum of Modern Art, Museum of Opera del Duomo).
• Great libraries (Laurenziana Library, Riccardiana Library, Marucelliana Library, Central National Library).
• The famous academies (Academy of the Bran, Academy of Cimento, Colombaria Academy).
• Large parks and gardens (Park of the Cascine, Garden of Boboli, Garden of the Iris).
• The monuments in Florence constitute an artistic complex among the most important of the world: the Baptistry (with the gold doors by the Ghiberti and Andrea Pisano), the Fortezza da Basso, the Giotto Bell Tower, the Innocenti Hospital.
• Important churches like the Dome (or Santa Maria del Fiore) with the immense cupola by the Brunelleschi and the bell tower by Giotto, The Pietà by Michelangelo, the Santa Croce church, in which we found the rip of Machiavelli, Michelangelo, Galileo Galilei, Alfieri, Foscolo and Rossini, the San Lorenzo church, the Santa Maria Novella church.
• Florence is rich of great work and wonderful palaces like the Palazzo Vecchio, the loggia by Orcagna, the Spedale degli Innocenti of Brunelleschi, the Palazzi Medici, the Pitti Palace and the Uffizi (by the Vasari with the famous Uffizi Gallery), the Ponte Vecchio with the double row of small old shops, from the 1500 exclusive rights of the orafi.
• The splendid squares like Piazza del Duomo, Piazza della Repubblica, Piazza Santa Croce, Piazza Della Signoria, Piazza Della Libertà, Piazza Dell'Indipendenza, Piazza Santa Maria Novella, Piazzale Michelangelo.
• The historical houses of Dante Alighieri, Michelangelo Buonarroti, Guidi.

In this section of the website you'll find a Florence virtual tour and a map of Florence that will guide you to the discovery of the beauties of the main city in Tuscany. Moreover for those stay in Florence for more than 2 or 3 days we have prepared a dedicated section for the itineraries and excursions in order to program a visit in one of the most beautiful medieval villages wich lie near the city. There are places in the outskirts of Florence that are really marvellous and if you have enough time they really desrve to be visited.

Know Florence" There are few cities in the world that can rival Florence Italy for its rich history and beauty. Visitors are enchanted by the Italian city's many tourist attractions, churches, cathedrals and town squares. The Dome cathedral is just one of many wonderful tourist attractions to visit in the city that Italians call 'Firenze'. Among the many works of art that can be found in Florence, is Michelangelo's most famous statue called 'David'. Art and architecture from the Renaissance period can be found throughout the city.
The lily was chosen to be the symbol of Florence in the second half of the XII century. Florentia had to be represented by a flower and the flowers mainly used in heraldic bearings were roses and lilies. The Florentine lily on the gonfalon was originally white on a red background; it was changed to red on a white background by the Guelfi in 1266, as a sign of victory over the Ghibellini. The botanic name of the lily of Florence is Irish Florentina, the iris can be seen in the city's coat of arms because it is a flower that grows abundantly in the fields around the city.
Mythology tells that the lily was born from drop of milk that feels from Giunone' s breast while she was feeding Ercole. The lily therefore signifies purity and chastity.
The Florentines were so struck by the abundance and beauty of the flowers that they became attached to the iris and associated it to their city life; the iris became the emblem of Florence due to its botanical name, Iris Florentia. Whether it was red on white background or white on a red background, according to the current political movement, it was always the only valid symbol of the city and under it is sign Florence won liberty and honour. The iris however has story. The Egyptians cultivated various varieties of it on the banks of the river Nile and the Greeks admired the beautiful and many-coloured plants between the rocks and stones of the temple. The Greeks in their fantasy saw in these many coloured petals, Iride the messenger of gods, sliding down the rainbow from Olympus.
In this section of Florence Online: the generality of Florence, the history, the photos of Florence, the historical pictures, the Florence flood and the annual events. Moreover to your disposition we have created a useful information section that it will allow you to organize at the best your visit to Florence. You will find the things essential to carry with you and the deliveries of the main institutions and centers of ready participation for whichever situation.

Florence Hotels" align="left"> There are many fine hotels throughout Florence Italy. From budget accommodation to lavish five-star hotels, suitable accommodation is available for all budgets. Regional maps, hotel information and current weather information are available on this website. Use our handy search tool or site map to find information you need about the Renaissance city.
In the section hotels in Florence we selected the best réreptives structures in Florence and province subdivided by type. For each accommodation exists the possibility of sending a free request reservation directly to the owner; in the 24 following hours you will receive a confirmation email about availability and prices of your stay.
On the left column you will be able to select the bed and breakfast, 1 star hotels, 2 stars hotels, 3 stars hotels, 4 stars hotels, luxury hotels, the Farm holidays, the Residence, the apartments, the Holidays home and the Hostels.
You will have moreover the possibility of making research of the Florence accommodations not only by type but even by selecting the zone (Hills of Florence, Campagne of Florence, Centre of Florence...) or by Area (Chianti, Periphery of Florence, historical Centre of Florence...).
Finally you can consult the last minute offers or make a online florence hotel booking.

Enjoy in Florence" Florence is not only art and museums. The enjoying in Florence never finishes: Theatres, Cinemas, disco clubs, pubs become animated life for all the night.
The tradition teatrale fiorentina was always considerable, packs to name celebrates it Musical May Fiorentino which attracted downtown even of the famous characters.
The cinemas in Florence are alternated between the modern ones and equipped with the rooms and multisalle and small independent cinemas.
Between June and September, are opened cinemas and spaces under the stars, which reproposent successes 'of winter' together to new films of the season.
Florence thank you with the great number of buildings and discos succeeds in making amuse and entusiasmare all in unspecified giorno of the week (especially in the week end) and offers many alternatives to make the small hours in company of friends.
The offers are varied and enticing; Latin aperitifs, parties house, rates/rhythms, spuntini of midnight, coffee bars, pubs, bars, sexy discos, wine bars and disco clubs.
Infinite varieties of good beer, music and spuntini always point out a elevé number of young people (and not) that is to say fiorentini that foreign.
Florence offers a great quantity of night buildings, is possible to choose between commercial discotheques or rock'n'roll spirit. But there are many buildings (especially during the estival time) where will have fun by listening to music and while dancing, while drinking and while chattering with perhaps of the evenings with it fears. If you decide to pass one evening by drinking a beer in historical center of Florence will be able to find very much pubs and birrery. The principal zones are surely Santa Croce square, Santa Maria Novella square and the zone of the Dome.
The pubs quickly become animated life after dining; the night buildings receive young people of one each part of the world.
So on the other hand you prefer one evening with the sign of dance can go in one of very much discos and discopubs located is in historical center of Florence that in periphery.
You will be able moreover to taste made aperitifs with rule of art or to taste a good coffee in one of the very famous places of the city in many the bars and coffee bars located in any Florence.
So on the other hand you decided to pass one hot evening you will be able made with visit in night clubs of Florence: these buildings are not however in I center of Florence but you will be able to join them with few minutes by car.

Eat in Florence" Florence features some wonderful Italian restaurants. Not only do they offer great Italian cuisine, many are situated in picturesque piazzas and other attractive locations. The Tuscany cooking is famous for its simple flavours prepares with great attention.
In passed the difficult living conditions imposed to the Tuscany population to prefer the use of poor alimony as the bread without salt that is present still today with thousand shapes and flavours: in every part of the Tuscany exist vary type of bread, from the tradition to the wheel, from the crostoni to the focacce, from the crushed with the oil to the bread with the ramerino, until arriving to the round loaf with grape.
Just the bread is one of the main ingredients of most famous Tuscany prescription like the panzanella (made with bread softened in the water, with vegetables), the pappa al pomodoro (to cook itself with bread, garlic, prezzemolo, basil, salt, oil and tomato), the ribollita (born from the tradition peasant who heated the remainders of the foods already cooked the day before).
Florence is very famous for the bistecca alla fiorentina, the ribollita, the trippa, the donuts, the schiacciata con l'uva, the cenci, the lampredotto, the fagioli all'uccelletto.
The Tuscany is famous for being between the italian regions in which you can tasted the better plates.
In this section of the website a wide directory of the best restaurants in which you will be able to savour the specialties From Tuscany and Florence and to taste valuable wines of the chianti area: restaurants, trattorias, taverns, pizzerias, wine bars and international restaurants.
The Tuscany is famous all over the world for its valuable and precious wines.
Brunello di Montalcino, Nobile di Montepulciano, Chianti classic, Barco reale of Carmignano, Vernaccia of San Gimignano, Morellino of Scansano, Pomino, Montescudaio white, Montescudaio red are only some of the valuable wine produced in Tuscany. The Tuscany region in fact is rich of large vitigni is scattered on hills and of visitable wine cellars in whichever period of the year.
The Tuscany evokes one images of great beauty; a rich and unique place of historical, cultural and natural treasures. A territory that in the time has been evoked from poets and writers. A territory with colors, smells and flavours unique.
The Tuscany is rich of Medieval Castles and villages, palaces, villas, churches, works of art fascination and history. The Tuscany is characterized from a varied landscape; greens hills, beauty sea, high relaxant mountains and terme.
Just for these characteristics many tourists every year choose routes in lands of Tuscany to the search of the traditions and in order tasting, wine cellar after wine cellar, the great from Tuscany red wines. Between the more known localities we can name the Chianti zone, the Orcia Valley, Montepulciano, San Giminiano, Montalcino and the zone of Tuscany Maremma.
Delicious wines, typical Tuscany foods, traditional plates, typical specialties of fish, international plates… You must only choice...

Florence Italy is conveniently located just two hours north of Rome. Two major airports serve this premiere tourist destination.
Florence is the most important art city in Tuscany, in the Italy center. Florence is easy reachable by Car, by train, by bus and by airplane. The city is equipped in fact of the airport Amerigo Vespucci, (zone of Peretola), situated to least kilometers from Florence Historical Center, in the district of Rifredi. There aren't directed international connections to Florence, in any case the airport covers many European drafts and often with flights low cost. The airport is approximately 5 km far from the center and it's very connected by taxi and shuttles bus.
Moreover the airport of Pisa is to 50km from Florence and it is connected to the railway station of Santa Maria Novella by appropriate train.
Florence is moreover easily reachable in Train from all Italy and from abroad. There are various railway station in Florence. The more important are: Florence Rifredi, Florence Santa Maria Novella and Florence Campo di Marte.
Who wishes to travel by car, Florence easy is easy catched up by the A1 freeway or the A11 freeway. In the historical center of Florence are present many payment parkings where to be able to leave the own car. If you arrived by train or by airplane and you wish to rent an car you can do it easy in one of the car rentals of Florence.
The Historical center of Florence has an extension of approximately 4 Kmq, the entire city of Florence approximately 100 Kmq. To the inside of the historical center (seen the reduced dimensions) it is possible to move easy by foot, by bicycle, by bus or to use of one of the numerous taxi in every angle of the city. For morer information on like catching up Florence visits the pages present in this section of the website: how to reach Florence.

Italy is between the main world-wide leaders for the fabrication of design, fashion and is therefore very easy to find some souvenir.
Many visitors to Florence Italy like to spend a little time shopping. Popular items include Italian shoes, clothes and jewelry. There are lots of small shops and boutiques throughout the city. A number of jewelry shops can be found on the Ponte Vecchio in the Signoria district of Florence.
The city is famous for the shops and for its Jewels hand works with experience and following the tradition that the famous 'orafi fiorentini' using from hundreds of years.
The street for the objects of handicraft is Via Maggio: in any case you can find work of art of the 16° century. In Via dei Tornabuoni (Tornabuoni street) in Florence, we find storees of appareal where you will find the best companies like Armani, Gucci, Versace, Coveri, Ferragamo and moreover.
The central market in Florence Italy (Firenze) is called the Mercato Centrale. It operates near the San Lorenzo church in the Duomo district of Florence in a two-story building. Visitors can buy fresh fruits and vegetables on the second floor of this market.
In the section shops in Florence you'll find the principal shops in the historical center and province sort by category.

School in Florence" Without doubt when we plan a travel to Florence we make it first of all in order to admire its beauties, its monuments and in order to breathe an atmosphere that seems is stopped in the time. But many tourists reach Florence in order to learn the limbs that characterize Florence and the Tuscany for hundred of years. In the time artisan, generation after generation, have realized many work: gold work, ceramics work, painting work, design work, sculpture work. Florence is also this: an open museum with realizate works of art from the greatest artists, sculpture, painters and Fiorentini craftsmen.
Just for this reason are been born many schools with Italians and foreign students, coming from every part of the world. In Florence therefore are been born the art schools specialized in course of Visual Limbs, course of design, course of photography, course of art, course of design and painting, of frescoes and workshops. Much diffuse also the italian language schools with language course specialized with expert instructors and much available with the students. Exist also many dance schools with course specialize in dances of every kind and type: 'Tango Argentino', 'Liscio', 'Modern dance' 'Dance', etc. In this section are also listed the primary schools, the elementary schools and the university in Florence.

Florence became the city of art that all the world knows thanks to the great artists who built big monuments, churches, and sculptures during the years. Nearly all the famous artists of the Renaissance came from Tuscany and Florence became the centre of the Arts, artists like Donatello, Michelangelo, Brunelleschi, Giotto, Galileo Galilei, Dante, Botticelli and Masaccio are only a few of those who have left signs in the monuments or Florentine works of the xv century.
A plunge in the past to admire the beauties of the present...

In this section of the web site the most important manifestations and the more interesting events. The events and manifestations of tourist importance. Popular extensions, festivals, inaugurations, festivities, conventions, conferences, folklore, sports events... Suggestions for your travels and your vacations.
The subdivision in type of manifestation allows to fastly find the best of the panorama events in Florence and surroundings (Tuscany region). In the left column you will be able to find many links, clicking on link of the your interest you'll view the list of events.
The Extensions: the most important extensions in Florence and in Italy.
The Fairs: the fairs organized by public and private agencies.
The Folklore: the folkloristic events like medieval festivities, country festivities and local traditions.
The Theatral shows: the theatres shows in in programming in the theatres and in the open theatres.
The Festivals: the previewed festivities in Florence and in all Italy.
The Typical markets: the typical markets, when and where they are made, the types of market.
The Courses: the course of whichever kind organizes in Florence and province.
The Local traditions: the program of the main local traditions.
The Conventions: the conferences and the organized conferences in the Florence Hotels and in the appropriate stands.
The Concerts: all the live concerts in programming.
The Other events: other type of events not present in the previous sections.

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Florentine Cuisine

TARTERS

Affettati Misti - Cold Sliced Meats

This is one of the most traditional antipasti served in Florentine restaurants. The meats are arranged in a circle on a serving dish and decorated with crisp, tangy salad leaves. Often served with the thick slices of bread in a basket. The best wine to drink with these cold meats is a young and fairly light Chianti, such as that from the "Colli fiorentini".

Pinzimonio - Fresh vegetables with olive oil

Pinzimonio is an excellent appetizer and can be varied according to the season and the availablity of vegetables. The success of this simple and tasty dish depends on two fundamental elements: fresh, young ingredients and, above all, superb olive oil from the hills of Tuscany. The vegetables come with a small bowl containing the oil, salt and pepper into which you can dip the pieces of vegetables.

Crostini di fegato - Chicken liver crostini

Lightly toasted slices of bread spread with liver paste, which is made from chicken livers, capers, anchovy fillets, chopped sage leaves and butter. Originally this spread was called peverada and was made using saffron which was widely grown in the countryside around the city.

Tonno e fagioli - Tuna and bean salad

Beans cooked in salted water with garlic and sage, served with tuna fish and dressed with oil. This dish is suitable as a starter, a main course to follow a rather filling starter or pasta dish, or it may also be served as a handy, quick lunch. It is best served with crispy, wholemeal bread.

Fettunta - Toasted bread with olive oil

This dish is generally associated with the month of November, when the olives have been gathered and the oil is newly pressed. Obviously it is eaten all year round, but in other seasons in lacks that characteristic pungent flavour of the new oil. In the summer you can top the crostini with chopped tomatoes and in winter, fettunta is the basis of a traditional soup known as "Lombard soup".

Baccelli e pecorino - Young broad beans and pecorino cheese

A simple salad of beans and cubes of soft, young pecorino cheese dressed with oil, salt and pepper. This could be an excellent main course, especially if you have already eaten a substantial first course.

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FIRST COURSES

Lasagne al Forno - Lasagna

If you order lasagne in a restaurant in Tuscany you will be served something along these lines. Layers of fresh pasta, meat sauce, and béchamel with cheese with a sprinkling of Parmigiano on top, heated through in the oven (it should be lightly browned) and served with more grated Parmigiano on the side. The ingredients include fresh vegetables, wine, ham and beef, and make up for a lasagna like you've never tasted before.

Zuppa di cipolle - Onion soup

Slices of toasted, country bread are smothered with hot onion soup and grated or sliced Gruyère or Fontina and put in the oven until the cheese melts and becomes golden brown and crisp.

Ravioli nudi - Naked ravioli

Ravioli with a stuffing of spinach, ricotta, eggs, grated parmesan, flour and a pinch of nutmeg. The most suitable sauces for this dish are tomato, sage and butter or Florentine meat sauce. This variation of ravioli is known as gnudi (naked) in Florence, which is a dialectal corruption of the Renaissance term ignudi.

Pappa al pomodoro - Bread and tomato soup

The forerunner of this dish was called panunto or pancotto and it contained no vegetables at all. Indeed the original recipe was without tomatoes, as it dates from long before the discovery of America and their arrival in Europe. The ingredients were therefore simply bread, oil, garlic and salt and this tasty, mushy mixture was often used to wean babies. The soup should be served tepid, with olive oil drizzled on top.

Pasta e fagioli - Pasta with beans

Dried cannellini beans cooked in seasoned water for two hours over a very low heat. Then cooked with lightly tossed pasta, a pinch of chili pepper and tomatoes. A hearty meal for the cold winter days.
Ribollita - Vegetable and bread soup

This Tuscan bread soup is a classic comfort food; it's hard to think of any dish that's more intimately associated with Florence than ribollita, a classic cabbage-and-bean soup that gains body and substance from a healthy infusion of day-old Tuscan bread. The word ribollita literally translates as reboiled, and for a ribollita to be authentic it must contain black-leaf kale, a long-leafed winter cabbage whose leaves are a purplish green, and which has distinctive bitter overtones.

Brodo - Meat broth

Beef soup has always been considered an excellent tonic for building up one's strength and energy. Try supping it on a cold, winter's evening, garnished with chopped parsley, or with delicious taglierini made from fresh pasta.

Stracciatella - Egg soup

Beef stock with ground almonds, eggs, grated Parmesan and bread crumbs. Cooked for together and served very hot, garnished with freshly chopped parsley.

Pappardelle sulla lepre - Pappardelle with hare sauce

In Florence, the pappardelle (broad strips of freshly cooked pasta) are traditionally placed on top of the hare sauce and then gently mixed through and not vice versa, as this method.

Panzanella - Bread salad

The success of this extremely simple recipe depends on two things: the bread must be unsalted, country bread, a day or two old, and the rest of the ingredients must be top quality and fresh. There are several variations of this recipe, all of which add various vegetables. Choose the wine to accompany this dish with care as the vinegar will affect its flavour. In the past it was eaten with a weak, watery wine called vinello or acquerello, made by soaking the bunches of grapes left after the wine pressing in water and then squeezing them out. A light, young red wine is therefore best.

MAIN COURSES

Trippa all fiorentina - Florentine-style tripe

Bartolomeo Sacchi took his recipe from Maestro Martino, "A main course of tripe...when cooked and served on the plates, sprinkle well with ground spices. Some also add grated cheese". Tripe is best served with boiled or puréed potatoes or, if preferred, with cannellini beans in oil.

Uova Frittellate o Affrittellate - Fried eggs

Fried eggs with pepper on top served with finely sliced bacon, mashed potatoes or spinach tossed with butter. It is most important to serve the right kind of bread with this dish - it should be as fresh as possible with a crispy crust, so the typical Florentine bread is perfect.

Stracotto - Braised beef

The name of this recipe actually means "overcooked", but in fact it is a good description, as it is intended for the tougher, tasty cuts of meat which require long, slow cooking.
Before the discovery of America and the importation of tomatoes, stracotto was cooked with agresto - a sauce made from crushed, tart grapes, boiled and flavoured with cloves, cinnamon and the juice of a squeezed onion.

Frittata di Carciofi (tortino) - Artichoke omlette (artichoke pie)

In Tuscany, this is considered to be a good, solid and inexpensive family meal. It can be served at lunch, either as a starter or as a main course. Other fillings, such as courgettes, onions or potatoes can be used but only artichoke omlette is served with lemon.

Lesso - Boiled meats

A simple cassarole of various cuts of beef, sometimes including half a calf's tongue, either fresh or corned (corned tongue is a Florentine speciality). It is also excellent when cold, with green sauce.

Bistecca - T-bone steak

It is one of the oddities of language that in English beef steak means a fillet without a bone, and this has become a common acceptance in many regions of Italy. In Florence, however, a fillet is called braciola, while a steak (bistecca) is a large entrecote, including the fillet. This recipe is exclusively for those who like their meat rare: a Florentine steak which is well cooked is not just a waste, it is a total heresy. The inside of the steak must be tender and succulent, while the outside must be crisp and have a well-grilled appearance. The steaks should be about five centimetres thick, tender and of the very best quality.

Arista - Roast loin of pork.

Pork served sliced, with a gravy made from sage, rosemary, and garlic, fried together lighty; drenched with wine. The name comes from the Latin arista (a spike, or spine, referring to the jagged bone in this cut of meat).

Bistecchine di maiale - Pork chops

In traditional Florentine cookery, pork is one of the most frequently-used meats and consequently many recipes exist for both fresh and cured pork. In the countryside, on farms and villages, the killing and dressing of the pig, which usually took place in late autumn, in November or December, was always an important event in the seasonal calendar.
Salsicce - Italian pork sausage

Sausages are fried in their own fat until they become golden brown all over. Sellers of dressed and cured pork (including salsicce), dried fish and cheeses are known as pizzicagnoli in Florence and their shop windows are extremely enticing, filled with delicious, mouth-watering produce.
Fegatelli - Liver skewers

Steel skewers with pieces of liver alternating with a bay leaf and a cube of bread. Roasted on a spit over a wood fire or in the oven and cooked until the liver is tender.

Pollo alla fiorentina - Florentine chicken

A heavenly concoction of chicken breasts with bread crumbs, Parmesan cheese, spinach, onion, celery, cream cheese, paprika and garlic powder.

Casseruola alla fiorentina - Florentine casserole

Pasta or noodles are covered with a sauce of spinach, cream of mushroom soup, garlic, tarragon and marjoram and pieces of sausage, which is in turn covered with an egg and ricotta mix. Best served slightly cool and perfect for spring days.

Baccala' - Dried cod

Cod is fished in the Artic or Antartic and is known either as baccala' or stoccafisso. Baccala' is preserved by salting and has four days to remove the excess salt, while stoccafisso is dried in the open air and has to be soaked for fifteen days then pounded and flaked.

Calamari in zimino - Stewed squid

This is one of the most characteristic Florentine fish dishes, fresh squid stewed in vegetables, tomatoes and a pinch of salt.

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SIDE DISHES

Fagioli o ceci all'olio - Beans or chick-peas in oil

Chick-peas and beans are absolutely essential ingredients in Florentine cookery, but as a rule are not served if there are already vegetables (apart from salad) in any of the other courses. A simple dish which needs plenty of good olive oil, if possible, newly-pressed.

Fagioli all'uccelletto - Beans in tomato sauce

The same recipe as before but with puréed tomatoes. These beans are delicious with boiled meats and sausages.

Piselli novelli in casseruola - Casseroled new peas

This is a speciality in springtime when tiny, tender, sweet new peas are available. They are ideal not only with stuffed rabbit but also with roast pork, peppery stew and braised beef. The dish is simply new peas with bacon and seasoning.

Fritto misto - Mixed fried vegetables

Aubergines, onions, asparagus, cauliflower, courgette flowers and mushrooms, fried in a batter and served hot.
Cavolfiore stufato - Stewed cauliflower

Cauliflower is usually parboiled in order to reduce the smell which many find too strong. It is stewed with puréed tomatoes and of course plenty of garlic and olive oil.

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CAKES

Schiacciata alla fiorentina - Florentine sponge cake

This light sponge is traditionally made during Carneval time, in February and sprinkled with plenty of icing sugar on top of the cake before sprinkling with icing sugar to make design. If you are very sweet-toothed, you can cut the cake in two and fill it with whipped cream, chocolate icing, chocolate cream or any other sweet filling or spread you like.

Schiacciata con l'uva - Sweet grape bread

Grapes sprinkled with sugar, sandwiched between two layers of dough and drizzled with warm oil with rosemary leaves in it.

Castagnaccio - Chestnut cake For many centuries chestnuts were part of the staple diet in mountainous and hilly areas and for the poorer classes in general as they provided an inexpensive form of nutrition. The original, Florentine version of castagnaccio is also known as migliaccio (black pudding) in some parts of Tuscany.

Bongo - Chocolate profiteroles

Originally profiteroles were fried rather than baked; the Florentine recipe was introduced to France where it was known as pâtes à chaud, "hot buns". Profiteroles are served in most restaurants in Florence.

Cenci - Sweet fritters

Cenci, like the Florentine schiacciata, are traditional Carneval time biscuits. They are found throughout all of northern and central Italy, and have different names according to the region.In Bologna, for example, They are called frappole (fringes) and in Milan, chiacchiere (chatters).

Frittelle - Fritters

In Florence these tasty little "sweets" are traditionally eaten on the 19th of March, Saint Joseph's feast day, and therefore also Father's Day. They are excellent with a good, sweet Vin Santo.

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