Florence is a region of Italy. Accademia di belle arti di Firenze – Museum of the Academy of Fine Arts. Florence - star of the Renaissance
Where it is now. Note that “David,” like most sculptures of that time, was carved from a block of Carrara marble, a material also mined in Tuscany.
In Piazza della Signoria you can also admire the sculpture “Judith with the Head of Holofernes” - this is an original work by Donatello. It first appeared here as a sign of the expulsion of the Medici in 1494 and marked the liberation of the city from the tyrant.
The Loggia dei Lanzi, a beautiful 14th-century (Quattrocento, early Renaissance) arcade in Piazza della Signoria, houses several sculptural masterpieces from the nearby Uffizi Gallery, including Benvenuto Cellini's Perseus with the Head of Medusa.
- By the way, this elegant structure was built only to accommodate armed guards, Landsknechts from Germany. Which the authorities intended to use to protect against the uprisings of the townspeople that happened so often
If you move north from Piazza della Signoria (away from the Arno), then after a short time you can reach the Duomo, the main attraction of the city. The construction of Santa Maria del Fiore was dictated by the desire to show off the eyes of all of Italy and declare Florence as the first city of Europe. The cathedral, however, became a long-term construction project (started at the end of the 13th century - completed in the 19th century), but it is a truly unforgettable sight.
White and green marble, overwhelming scale. The area is clearly small for such a giant, and happy is the one who manages to capture the entire building in his lens.
The famous spanless dome of the brilliant architect Brunelleschi, who was the first to come up with a complex, double-hull (external and internal vault) design, the beautiful green and white marble facade decorated with pointed arches and statues and the wonderfully proportioned square bell tower of Giotto together leave an indelible impression.
Next to the cathedral is the Bapsistery of San Giovanni, where all the famous Florentines were baptized. It is said to be the oldest surviving building in the city. The small octagonal Romanesque building's ceiling is lined with beautiful mosaic panels, and its amazing bronze gate by Lorenzo Ghiberti is considered one of the masterpieces of the Renaissance.
Not every lover of beauty will visit the harsh brickwork of the Church of San Lorenzo. Despite the fact that Brunneleschi himself had a hand in the restructuring, the most prominent representatives of the powerful family rest in the Medici Chapel. The sculpture for the chapel, the famous allegories “Day” and “Night”, “Morning” and “Evening” was sculpted by Michelangelo, and many art historians consider it the pinnacle of the work of the “Titan of the Renaissance”.
Very close to the square is the ancestral palace of the Medici-Riccardi. Attracting attention with the mighty stone rustication of the walls, Palazzo Pitti can envy it.
Among the iconic sights of the Tuscan capital, we mention the Basilica of Santa Croce (Holy Cross), once the main Franciscan temple in Europe. And also the tomb of the most famous sons of Italy (not all of them, however, are Florentines by birth): Michelangelo, Machiavelli, Galileo, Rossini, Marconi, Fermi.
There is also the tombstone of Dante Alighieri, the famous Florentine. However, he found peace not here, but in Ravenna (Emilia-Romagna), on the other coast of the “Italian boot”. Despite the requests of the Florentines, Ravenna did not want to part with the ashes of the genius, as if declaring that she would not send Dante’s remains to a city that did not appreciate him during his lifetime.
On the other side of the Arno, if you take a left after leaving the Ponte Vecchio, you will find a majestic view with the Boboli Gardens behind.
The Renaissance palace, built by the Medici's rival, the banker Pitti, and turned into the main residence of the Medici and then the Grand Dukes of Tuscany, has a number of luxurious ceremonial interiors and an amazing collection of paintings.
- The Palatine Gallery, located in the halls of the palace, is considered the largest art collection in Florence
There are as many as 11 paintings by the great Raphael alone. And also paintings by Titian and Tintoretto, Giorgione and Caravaggio, Rubens and Van Dyck, Murillo...
Another wonderful place, where the lion's share of panoramic photos of Florence are taken is Piazzale Michelangelo in the southern part of the city. The views are breathtaking, and no sightseeing tour will not pass this point.
Where to eat
The author of these lines tried to eat in Florence twice and was dissatisfied each time. It’s not very tasty (store-bought frozen pizza from the Conad supermarket looks preferable), the service is lacking in desire and warmth - there are too many tourists - and the prices... The only consolation is that in Venice it’s even higher.
The most inexpensive pizza in a cafe in Florence will cost 6 euros, a plate of pasta at least 6-7. The check will definitely include a service charge - forget about additional tips.
It makes more sense to treat yourself to a piece of pizza from the window and eat it literally on the go. Which, by the way, is what most tourists do.
Gelato is very average in taste. From 2 € for a miniature horn.
How to get there
It’s not so easy to do this by plane - unfortunately, there are no direct flights from Russia to the Tuscan capital. First you have to get to Pisa or Verona.
You can also get there by car or train: both from other cities in Italy and Europe. All points are covered in more detail in the material.
When I arrived in Florence, the heat there was about forty degrees, and therefore the first thing I wanted to do was to be closer to the water in order to feel at least a little cool. It was decided to head to the river. Imagine my disappointment when I realized that nothing riverlike was coming from the river: neither a breeze, nor even the characteristic aroma of algae. Moreover, the water in the Arno is not at all transparent, and even brown. It acquired this color either from pollution, or because of the composition of the ground rocks through which it flows, I could not find out. But in any case, it is completely unsuitable for swimming.
But the Arno, despite the fact that it is muddy and not too long, is still, I think, a great river. And Arno makes her great rich story.
Story
Florence is a city in which almost every pebble and flower is of historical value. The Arno River, which is the second longest river in Central Italy after the Tiber, was no exception. The Arno has its source in the Apennine Mountains and flows into the Ligurian Sea near the city. The length of the river is neither more nor less than 248 kilometers.
When I was in Florence, the river behaved very calmly; its current could not be called even slightly stormy. Against the backdrop of the general heat, the sluggish Arno looked very harmonious. But after reading about the history of the river, I was surprised: it turns out that during the flood in November 1966, 40 people died in the waters of the Arno, significant damage was caused to Florence itself, many works of art were damaged, and collections of rare books were damaged. The National Central Library was hit the hardest by the flood. This is what the saying “Don’t wake the beast while he sleeps” means. The Italians curbed the changeable nature of the river by building dams along its entire length.
Arno and Florence
In densely built-up Florence, the river is a good landmark. When I wandered through the small old streets of the center, the names of which were either not on the map, or the inscriptions with the names of these streets had been erased from the walls of the houses over the years, my only salvation and hope for access to a crowded and familiar place was the river. It doesn’t matter where you are: if you move towards the river, you always have a chance to get out either to the embankment or to one of the many squares located along the river.
The river divides the city into two parts. Formally, they are not called anything, but figuratively they can be described as “cultural and leisure” and “green”. On the first side is the city center, most of the museums and cathedrals, shops and restaurants. On the left side of the bridge Ponte Vecchio The Uffizi Gallery is located, where the main masterpieces of art of Florence are collected. The gallery windows offer a wonderful view of the river and bridge. This is where the most stunning panoramic photographs come from.
A little further from the gallery is the Galileo Museum, a very tiny Museum of scientific inventions that appeared during the Renaissance. Most of the exhibits are handmade. The main pearl of the museum is Galileo Galilei's telescope, through which he suggested that the Earth revolves around the Sun.
The famous Vazzari Corridor also runs over the Arno. The corridor, built in 1565 by order of Cosimo I, is a covered gallery and connects the Palazzo Vecchio and the Palazzo Pitti. Unfortunately, the Vazzari Corridor is closed to the public.
The second part is more like a peaceful existence. It is a hilly area with parks and frequent, densely packed houses. This is where Mount Michelangelo is located. There are also fewer tourists and cheaper restaurants.
These two completely different halves of one city are connected by ten bridges. The most famous of them are three bridges that are located in the central part of Florence: Ponte Santa Trinita, Ponte alle Grazie, Ponte Vecchio.
Three Bridges
Ponte Vecchio
The bridge is located in the narrowest part of the Arno River and is almost the most important symbol of Florence. Despite the fact that the bridge was built in 1345, it has retained its original appearance to this day. This is the only bridge that was not reconstructed after World War II.
Getting to the Vecchio Bridge is very easy, it is located near Piazza della Senoria, and moving down along main street Florence Santa Maria, you'll be taken straight to it.
The Vecchio Bridge has always been a place of busy trade. Previously, there were butcher shops where you could buy the best meat in the city, but now jewelry stores have taken their place.
The Vecchio Bridge is always crowded. Mostly tourists come here to take pictures against the backdrop of the Florentine landscape and funny houses. Although there are many who came specifically for jewelry. All the jewelry that is presented on the bridge is of very high quality, but, unfortunately, it is not sold at the most reasonable prices.
And on this bridge you can often meet Italian weddings who come to the bust of the great Benvenuto Cellini - a sculptor, musician and even a jeweler of the Renaissance. The newlyweds traditionally hang “love locks” on the fence near the bust.
Ponte alle Grazie
This bridge was originally built in 1227. In 1335 it was rebuilt, several arches were added, and this allowed it to become the most long bridge in the city.
Ponte alle Grazie takes its name from the chapel of the Madonna delle Grazie.
During World War II, the bridge was blown up by the Germans. After the victory over fascism and Nazism, it was decided to restore the bridge.
Nowadays this bridge consists of four pillars with thin arches between them, its new design fits harmoniously into the ancient architecture of Florence. But on appearance And building materials it is completely different from its predecessor, as well as from other bridges in the city.
Ponte Santa Trinita
Ponte Santa Trinita (Holy Trinity) is the most graceful bridge in Florence. It is located on the right and in close proximity to the Ponte Vecchio.
The bridge was originally made of wood, but in 1259 it collapsed under the weight of a crowd watching a theatrical performance. After this, the bridge was rebuilt. But it didn’t show off for long in its stone guise - it was soon damaged again due to flooding, and it was rebuilt again. The new bridge was designed by Bartolomeo Ammanati, according to legend, who consulted and discussed his plan with Michelangelo. The Ponte Santa Trinita was eventually built of yellow-brown stone and decorated with allegorical statues on both sides of the bridge. These statues symbolize the four seasons: “Spring” was sculpted by Pietro Francavila, “Winter” by Taddeo Landini, “Summer” and “Autumn” by Giovanni Caccini.
Unfortunately, during the Second World War, this bridge was also destroyed by German soldiers. It was decided to recreate it according to the principle of “where it was and how it was.” Its exact copy was erected in 1958. Statues of the seasons were preserved, found and restored. They still decorate the bridge to this day.
Great Arno
Speaking about the Arno as a great Italian river, I would call it the core on which the city rests.
Florence was founded more than two thousand years ago thanks to the river. At that time, people could not even imagine such a wealth of communication resources that we have now. That is why the main and decisive factor that guided them when they founded settlements was water. We still value reservoirs as sources of water for home and industry, and, of course, for the opportunity to swim in them. If there is not enough water, we simply drill a well to the aquifer. But in those distant times, a nearby river was a vital necessity.
It is simply impossible to imagine Florence without Arno. It is not for nothing that this river, which has saturated the history of the city, flows in the center of Florence. By this, she seems to let the Florentines understand that it was she who created and nurtured their homeland.
Successfully combines the spirit of the Renaissance and a lively modern atmosphere. In fact every corner of it amazing city is a historically significant place, and the squares of Florence are rightly called museums under open air. BlogoItaliano tried to compile a list of the most significant squares in Florence, as well as tell us why they are significant.
Piazza della Signoria
In the center of Piazza della Signoria there is the Neptune fountain, which is a sculptural group, above which rises a statue of Neptune himself, driving a quadriga of horses.
Festivals and tournaments have been held in Piazza della Signoria since ancient times.
Piazza della Signoria- This is the place where holidays and tournaments were held, as well as conspirators were executed and heretics were burned. Not far from the square, on the banks of the Arno River, is the largest art museum in Florence and at the same time the most visited museum in Italy.
Florence Cathedral Square (Duomo)
Enough small area The Duomo, or Cathedral Square, is famous for its temple complex, which includes the church, which is the fourth largest in the world, the Baptistery of San Giovanni and Giotto's bell tower, which rises 84 meters above the square.
The most ancient building square - the Baptistery, a former temple of Mars, from which only fragments of the floor remain. The church is dedicated to John the Baptist, the main patron saint of Florence. At one time, the Baptistery was the main cathedral of the city; christenings were held here, and worthy citizens were buried here.
Cathedral Square is famous for its temple complex
In ancient times Cathedral Square of Florence looked somewhat different: here stood the Church of Santa Reparata - the first cathedral church, of which only remnants have survived.
Along with the Piazza della Signoria, the Cathedral Square is one of the most significant attractions of the city, accessible to tourists completely free of charge. And BlogoItaliano has compiled a more detailed list of such places (and not only squares:)).
Republic Square
Republic Square is one of the central squares of Florence, which is the crossroads of the ancient Florentine streets Carda and Decamanus. In ancient times it was allocated to the Roman forum, and in the Middle Ages it became part of the Old Market.
Republic Square acquired its modern appearance in 1887.
Its modern look Republic Square acquired after a grandiose reconstruction in 1887, which left nothing of its former appearance. The only surviving landmark is the Column of Plenty, erected in the 15th century by the famous sculptor Donatello.
Today Republic Square is a huge space surrounded by noisy cafes and luxury hotels, favorite place for performances by musicians, magicians and circus performers.
Piazza Santa Croce
Piazza Santa Croce, surrounded by ancient medieval buildings, is located near the Arno River, east of the city's main square, Piazza Signoria. Its name was given by the Church of Santa Croce, decorated with the famous frescoes of Giotto. The church is famous for the burial places of Michelangelo, Machiavelli, and Galileo.
In the 13th century, Piazza Santa Croce was the center of public life
In the 13th century Piazza Santa Croce was the center of public life in Florence, but now festivals, concerts, and rallies are regularly held here. In addition, the square hosts famous football matches, the participants of which dress in ancient medieval costumes.
Piazza Santissima Annunziata
Santissima Annunziata is the most beautiful square in Florence, designed by the architect Brunelleschi for the silk merchants' guild.
The architectural ensemble of the square consists of three majestic buildings - the Church of Santissima Annunziata, which gave the square its name, the Orphanage for Abandoned Children and the portico of the Servite Order.
Piazza Santissima Annunziata, Florence
The foundling home became the first shelter in Europe, where many abandoned babies - the fruits of the sin of noble masters and their maids - found refuge. On the second floor of the shelter there is an art gallery and a collection of frescoes.
In the center Piazza Santissima Annunziata there is a statue of Ferdinand I de' Medici by Giambologna, as well as fountains by Pietro Tacca depicting sea monsters.
Plaza Santo Spirito
Piazza Santo Spirito (Holy Spirit) – very lively Piazza Florence. Its name was given by the church of the same name - one of the main buildings by the architect Brunelleschi. Previously, on the site of the church there was an Augustinian monastery, which burned down during a fire in the 15th century.
In summer time Santo Spirito Square becomes a venue for concerts and dances, and during football championships, fans gather in the square to watch the match on a huge screen, which is installed on the wall of the monastery of Santo Spirito.
Piazzale Michelangelo
Piazzale Michelangelo is one of the most popular tourist places Florence. The square is located very well - on the top of a hill, from which stunning views of the historical center of the city open: magnificent bridges and squares, cathedrals and the Arno River.
Piazzale Michelangelo is located on top of a hill
A square named after the great Michelangelo was built according to the design of the architect Giuseppe Poggi, here are copies of the most famous works sculptor, made of bronze.
Piazzale Michelangelo It is always filled with tents of souvenir sellers, as well as cars and tourist buses.
The founding date of Florence is traditionally considered to be 59 BC. e., when in the valley of the Arno River a settlement was founded for veteran legionnaires of the army of Julius Caesar. According to legend, this happened in the spring, during the festivals of the goddess of flowers Flora, who personifies the spring awakening of nature. The city owes its name to her.
During the Roman period, structures characteristic of that time were erected here - baths, an amphitheater, an aqueduct. To this day, in the central part of the city, around the former Forum (today the Republic Square), the rectangular street layout typical of the Romans has been preserved. By the end of the 2nd century, Florence had become a full-fledged city, housing the headquarters of the commander of the legion controlling the region of all of modern Tuscany. The god of war, Mars, was considered the patron saint of the city.
In the 4th century Christianity established itself here. Florence became an archdiocese, and the cult of Mars was replaced by the worship of John the Baptist, the new patron of the city.
In the 5th century, Florence was invaded by the Ostrogoths, and from 570 to 774 the Lombard Germans ruled the lands of Tuscany. Their rulers chose Lucca for their residence, and Florence retreated into the shadows for a while. In 744, the Frankish king Charlemagne captured the Lombard kingdom, and a little later the Tuscan Margraviate, formally part of the Holy Roman Empire, was founded on these lands.
At the beginning of the 12th century, taking advantage of the period of aggravated conflict between the pope and the emperor, the Florentine nobility took the fate of the city into their own hands, establishing self-government. In 1183, Emperor Frederick Barbarossa was forced to officially recognize the municipal autonomy of the city. Florence gradually began to capture the surrounding territories, starting with the city of Fiesole. In the 15th century, she conquered Pisa, gaining access to the sea, and in the 16th century, the resistance of Siena was broken. Rich Florence did not conquer some Tuscan cities and territories, but simply bought them up.
Florence initially owed its rise from a small town to a thriving city-state to the wool trade. The guild of wool merchants in Florence (Arte della Lana) exported wool from Northern Europe and dyes from the Middle East. Using their own weaving and dyeing techniques, the Florentines produced heavy red garments and sold them throughout the Mediterranean. Huge income laid the foundations for banking in Florence, which eventually became the financial capital of Europe. Golden florins, the money that was minted here, were the international European currency in those days.
The rich people of Florence manipulated the government with the help of the Guelph party (supporters of the pope), which was in confrontation with the Ghibellines (supporters of the emperor). The history of this confrontation is captured in the works of Dante, Machiavelli, and Shakespeare. In the 15th century in Florence, the struggle between them intensified, and rich merchants brought to power a man from their class - Cosimo de' Medici. His descendants ruled in Florence until the 18th century. Both the “golden age” of the city during the Renaissance and the end of republican rule are associated with the Medici. In 1569, Florence, expanded by the lands of neighboring cities, became the capital of the Grand Duchy of Tuscany.
In 1737, the Medici ducal line ended and Tuscany passed into Habsburg hands. During the Napoleonic wars, Florence had the status of the capital of the kingdom of Etruria formed in Tuscany, which became one of the provinces of France. In 1814, Tuscany returned to Habsburg control.
In 1860, in a general plebiscite, the Florentines supported the movement for the reunification of all Italian lands. At the final stage of the Risorgimento (national liberation struggle), from 1865 to 1870, Florence was the capital of Italy. This period had an ambiguous effect on its appearance: some of the historical buildings in the city center were demolished. The end of the 20th century was marked for Florence by the expansion of city boundaries to the nearest foothills and the emergence of the industrial area of Rifredi.
In 1944, during the period of hostilities, when the front passed along the Arno River, the city was bombed more than once. Moreover, while retreating, German troops blew up all the bridges, with the exception of the Ponte Vecchio, which was saved. A devastating cataclysm occurred in Florence in 1966, when during the flood of the Arno River the city streets were flooded and many works of art were damaged.
Culture
Florence, whose name is inextricably linked with the brilliant Renaissance, can also boast monuments from more ancient times. Back in the 11th century, such magnificent buildings as the baptistery and the church of San Miniato al Monte were erected here. These buildings are distinguished from other Romanesque churches in Italy by the clear lines of their facades and original decor. The Gothic style that replaced the Romanesque style in Florence also has its own individual characteristics.
In the 13th century, local nobility and wealthy merchant families spared no expense in developing the city, wanting to present it and, of course, themselves in a favorable light. The most famous masters of that time began to come here. The most famous of them was Arnolfo di Cambio. The creations of this architect - the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, Palazzo Vecchio, the Church of Santa Croce - still amaze with their beauty and determine the entire appearance of the city.
A contemporary of Arnolfo di Cambio was the painter Cimabue, in whose works the plasticity of figures was distinguished by extraordinary grace, which was new for that time, because the artists were strongly influenced by the Byzantine school, which required stylized images. Giotto di Bondone, the great artist and architect, also made an invaluable contribution to the treasury of world art. His innovation lies in the use of halftones, which made it possible to create volumetric space on the canvas, emphasizing the fullness of life and the beauty of the human body. Thanks to Giotto, painting took the main place in Florence: he and his students painted more paintings in one century than all German and French painters combined.
The 15th century is the golden age of the Renaissance. Rich Florentine families, competing in patronage of art, contributed to its flourishing. The ruling Medici family also played an important role in the prosperity of Florence. The Dukes Cosimo I and Lorenzo the Magnificent became especially famous for their love of beauty and philanthropy. Thus, Cosimo de' Medici created the first public library in Florence. He patronized scientists, artists and poets. His grandson Lorenzo, who grew up in the realm of art worship, surpassed his famous ancestor in his charitable deeds, earning the nickname “The Magnificent.” He was also distinguished by his skillful management. When the politician and thinker Machiavelli wrote the treatise “The Prince,” a popular reference book among the powers that be today, he was inspired by the actions of Duke Lorenzo.
Outstanding representatives of the Florentine Renaissance school were Filippo Brunelleschi, creator of the colossal dome cathedral and the sculptor Donatello, who became famous for his psychological gift of insight into the essence of the depicted image and knowledge of human anatomy. No less famous are the sculptors Lorenzo Ghiberti, Lucca della Robbia, Andrea del Verrocchio, and the artists Desiderio da Settignano, Mino da Fiesole, Antonio Rossellino.
The zenith of the Renaissance in Florence was marked by the work of Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo Buonarroti, Raphael Santi. But the beginning of the decline of the great century of Florence is also associated with these names. Da Vinci left here in 1506 for France, and Raphael and Michelangelo moved to Rome. With the exception of the painting “Adoration of the Magi,” Leonardo left almost nothing in Florence. Michelangelo's legacy is more expressive. In Florence, among his other masterpieces, there is the famous “David” - the largest marble sculpture since antiquity. Raphael glorified Florence with his series of paintings called the Florentine Madonnas.
Near the cathedral stands Giotto's bell tower, named after its creator, although other famous architects also took part in the construction. There are 285 steps leading to the top of this grandiose tower. From here, the whole of Florence is at your fingertips, and you get a strange feeling of flying.
To the north is one of the oldest public buildings in Florence - the Bargello. There was once a prison here, as well as a place of executions. Today the building houses the Museum of Sculpture and Applied Arts, where works by Donatello, Michelangelo, Cellini, and Giambologna are collected. Dante was born in this area, and it is here that the Bargello Abbey Church stands, where the poet from afar admired Beatrice, dear to his heart, coming to Sunday mass. Around the corner, on Via Dante Alighieri, is Dante's house, where the poet was born in 1265.
San Lorenzo
This area of Florence, also known as the Medici quarter, is famous for its trading traditions. A real market gathers here and now every day. It was closed several times, but the ancient tradition is ineradicable - the lively trade has not stopped. The market is located right on the square in front of the Church of Saint Lorenzo, which dates back to the 4th century. The Medici dukes patronized this holy monastery, which almost became their own home temple.
Behind the church is the entrance to the Medici Chapel, the tomb of the famous family, for which Michelangelo created two remarkable tombs depicting Night and Day, Dawn and Twilight. Next to San Lorenzo, Michelangelo's exquisite staircase was erected, leading to the Laurentian Library.
In this area it is also worth visiting the Palazzo Medici Riccardi, a huge yet elegant structure where the Medici lived before moving to the Palazzo Vecchio. To the north is the majestic monastery of San Marco and the museum of the same name.
Florentine cuisine
For all Italians, a meal is a celebration of life; they have maintained an attitude towards it as a theatrical performance, and even a light snack here is accompanied by appropriate decoration. The Renaissance elevated cooking to the rank of art, which was promoted by Florentine merchants by founding entire gastronomic schools. And today it’s a real pleasure to while away the evening in pleasant company in Florence!
Getting to know local cuisine It's best to start with crostini - toasted white bread with the most delicate liver pate, mushrooms or tomatoes. As a first course (on the menu – “primi piatti”) in Florence they prefer soup with local specifics. People here like ribollita made from cabbage and other vegetables with bread, flavored with olive oil, as well as pasta e fagioli or pappardelle - thick noodle soups with chick peas or hare ragu sauce. Second courses are usually meat, many of them are prepared from game - hare, wild boar, pheasant. Traditional food - roast rabbit in fat, pork with herbs, cooked in the oven, the famous Florentine steak - a huge piece of beef in the most delicate olive oil, fried over charcoal. Typical side dish for this meat dish– white beans in tomato sauce and deep-fried tomatoes and herbs. A glass of pleasant-tasting Chianti wine, produced south of Florence, will not go amiss during dinner.
At the end of the feast, you should order a dessert Tuscan vin santo to dip your dry cantuccini macaroons into. And, of course, don’t forget to try gelato - Florentine ice cream, which many consider the most delicious in the world. Weighty, fresh, homemade sweet balls are sold in special gelateria cafes (each about 1.5 €).
Street cafe in FlorenceThe most popular establishments here are trattorias, where a hearty lunch will cost 15-18 € per person, a light snack – 5-8 €. Pizzerias and rosticcherias (a grill bar where people gather in the evenings to have a drink and a light snack) are not empty. You can look into tavola kalda - an analogue of a canteen, where you can have a hearty and inexpensive meal.
Meal in a Florentine restaurant located at a distance from historical center, will cost from 40 € per person. The closer to cathedral square, the higher the prices become. Many atmospheric establishments are located right in ancient palaces. The restaurant in Palazzo Antinori, where this aristocratic family has lived since 1502, is famous. It serves gourmet dishes and noble wines from family cellars. Excellent cuisine and wine list at Enotecca Pinchiorri, located on the ground floor of a 15th-century palace. There is also a charming patio with outdoor seating.
Shopping
Florence has many fashionable shops selling fashionable clothes. These include individual boutiques and entire galleries. Here you can buy excellent designer items: from elegant leather accessories to solid fur items. All year round In trade, a system of discounts is practiced. In addition, the city has two sales seasons. Summer lasts from July to early September, winter - from January 5 to March 5.
Tourists most often bring from Florence a variety of products with stencils of the city's most famous attractions, cheeses, wine, as well as jewelry: jewelry and costume jewelry. For jewelry, city guests usually go to the Ponte Vecchio bridge. In the local shops and workshops, cute inexpensive pendants and respectable ancient and modern creations of jewelers are displayed.
You can also go to markets in search of souvenirs. One of them, San Lorenzo, is located on the square of the same name. The second is in Piazza Ciompi, north of Santa Croce. On Sundays, local antique dealers display their wares here: coins, jewelry, paintings, and old postcards.
Where to stay
Accommodation prices in Florence are quite high. In the winter season, it is still possible to find a room for 45 € per night (3* hotel), but by May the cost has already increased by 30%. A budget option– hostels, you can stay here for 15-20 € per day per person. It is possible to rent 2-3-room apartments for 100-120 €.
There are, of course, luxury hotels in Florence, located in ancient palaces. Among them, the Four Seasons stands out, located in the Palazzo della Gherardesca, one of the Medici residences. There are magnificent interiors and antique furniture. The hotel is also famous for its huge park. Cost of living – from 350 €.
In the very center of the city stands the Palazzo Vecchietti. The 16th-century building has only 14 rooms. Comfort and luxury reign here, the interiors are decorated with ancient paintings. The rooms have a kitchen, coffee machine, refrigerator, dishes. Breakfast (included in the price) here is simply excellent and takes place at a common antique table. Accommodation – about 630 € per day.
Villa Cora also falls into the luxury category. This historic hotel is located in the hills of Florence. It was built by Baron Oppenheim in the neoclassical style and is famous for its famous guests. There is a calm atmosphere here luxury park, pool. Prices: from 295 to 830 € per room.
Transport
Despite the fact that Florence is quite tiny, and traffic is blocked in the historical center, transport links in the city are well developed. Eco-friendly electric buses can get you closest to attractions. You will recognize them by their original appearance and numbers, where C1, C2, C3, D are present.
Florence has a unified ticket system for city buses and trams. A comprehensive ticket for one and a half hours costs 1.20 €. A daily pass will cost 5 €, a three-day pass – 12 €, a weekly pass – 18 €. Travel tickets sold in newspaper and tobacco kiosks, bars, offices of the main city transport company ATAF.
Tourists can also purchase a plastic Firenze Card. By paying 72 €, you will get the opportunity to visit 67 museums and free movement throughout the city by tram or bus for 3 days.
The cost of a taxi ride depends on the mileage (0.10 € per 1 km + landing 3-6 €). It is difficult to stop a taxi on the street; it is better to call a car by phone or go to the parking lot. Renting a car only makes sense if you want to explore the surrounding areas of Florence (from 35 €/day).
Recently, pedicabs have become popular. A 15-minute walk for two will cost you 15 €, 60 minutes - 45 €. Pedicabs have taken a fancy to Piazza San Lorenzo. You can admire Florence from the deck water bus. Motor ships ply along the Arno River from April to October.
How to get there
Located 5 km from the center of Florence international Airport them. Amerigo Vespucci. There are no direct flights from Russian cities here. You will have to fly with a transfer in Rome or one of the major European cities.
Comfortable buses depart regularly from the airport to the city. Travel time – 20 minutes, cost – 5 €. A taxi ride will cost 20 €.
From Rome to Florence it is convenient to travel by regular bus. Travel time – 2.5 hours, cost – 20 €.
Comfortably located on the picturesque banks of the Arno River, Italian Florence is the administrative center of the Tuscany region and one of the oldest and the most beautiful cities Europe.
Florence was founded in the 1st century BC. by the Romans as a settlement for veteran soldiers of the Roman army and was called Florence in those days, which means “blooming”. The city was built on the principle of a military camp, and, like most ancient Roman settlements, had a rectangular shape and a grid of roads intersecting each other at right angles. The intersection of the main streets of Roman Florence, Cardo and Decumanos, was located on the site of the modern Republic Square.
Since the city was located on the so-called Via Cassius (the main route from Rome to the north), and given the fertile valley of the Arno River, Florence developed rapidly and soon became an important shopping mall. In the 3rd century AD. The Roman Emperor Diocletian made Florence the capital of the province of Tuscia, and already in the 4th century the city became the seat of a bishop.
In subsequent centuries, Florence found itself at the epicenter of the war between the Byzantines and the Ostrogoths: the city fell into decay, and the population decreased greatly. Relative peace was established only with the arrival of the Lombards in the 6th century. In 774, Florence was conquered by Charlemagne and became part of the Duchy of Tuscany.
Middle Ages and modern times
The real era of prosperity begins for Florence already in 1000, when Margrave Ugo made the city his residence. The so-called “Golden Age of Florentine Art” dates back to the same period, which subsequently had a colossal influence on the development of all European culture. The Tuscan dialect later formed the basis of the modern Italian language.
In 1115, Florence became the capital of the independent Florentine Republic, was actively built and developed, continuing to increase its economic power and influence. Soon, Florence already occupied one of the key positions in the political Olympus of medieval Italy, and its gold florin was one of the most stable European currencies.
By the 14th century, the economy of Florence reached an unprecedented rise, and the city became the leading center of the Italian Renaissance, inscribing such legendary names in world history as Dante, Leonardo Da Vinci, Petrarch, Michelangelo, Machiavelli, Boccaccio, etc. The Medici dynasty, which for centuries patronized the most talented people of its time and headed the Florentine Republic in 1434, had a huge influence on the cultural flourishing of Florence.
In the 18th and 19th centuries (after the suppression of the Medici family), Florence was for some time under the influence of the Austrian crown, and then France. In 1861, Florence became part of the Kingdom of Italy as part of Tuscany. From 1865 to 1871, the city was the capital of Italy and during this period underwent a number of fundamental changes in its architectural appearance. Unfortunately, due to the modernization of the historical center of Florence, many medieval buildings were destroyed.
Today Florence is an important economic, industrial and cultural center Italy, and is also among the top 50 recognized capitals of world fashion. Entertaining centuries-old history and an abundance of cultural, architectural and historical monuments Every year attracts many tourists from all over the world to Florence. Among the most interesting and iconic sights of Florence that are definitely worth visiting are the Palazzo Vecchio, the Basilica of San Miniato, the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore and, of course, the Uffizi Gallery, which is rightfully considered one of the best art museums in the world.