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Florence, Italy
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Florence is famous amongst tourists and scholars for her glorious artwork, cultural heritage, and the major role she played in the Renaissance and Humanist movements. All these facets combine to make this one of the most glorious cities in the world. Florence may be a small city, but she is extremely beautiful and a favourite meeting place for visitors and ex-pats of all ages and nationalities. The city was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1982.
The historic city centre (centro storico) is most representative of Florence. The layout of the district follows a road system created by the Romans (known as the "cardus" and "decumanus" system). In the centro storico, you will see the enormous, imposing structure of the cathedral  Santa Maria del Fiore , referred to mostly commonly as the Duomo (from the Latin domus, meaning house of God), with its cupola designed by Filippo Brunelleschi, a beautiful dome that adds splendour to the city skyline.
The historic city centre (centro storico) is most representative of Florence. The layout of the district follows a road system created by the Romans (known as the "cardus" and "decumanus" system). In the centro storico, you will see the enormous, imposing structure of the cathedral Santa Maria del Fiore , referred to mostly commonly as the Duomo (from the Latin domus, meaning house of God), with its cupola designed by Filippo Brunelleschi, a beautiful dome that adds splendour to the city skyline. The city has also preserved its medieval network of streets, lined with regular, geometric Renaissance palaces such as the Palazzo Strozzi and Palazzo Medici-Riccardi , which once belonged to Florence's powerful, oligarchic families. Florence is divided into five districts and the centre is divided into four sections (San Giovanni, Santa Croce, Santa Maria Novella and Santo Spirito). Here is a brief guide to the city and its districts:
San Giovanni takes its name from St John the Baptist, Patron Saint of Florence, in whose honour the Baptistery was built. This area covers most of the historic city centre and is now full of exclusive boutiques that are concentrated in a few of the most well-known streets, such as via Calzaiuoli, via Roma and via della Vigna Nuova. The university and the Tribunale di Firenze (which is housed in the Complesso di San Filippo Neri ) are also in this district.
Santa Maria Novella is named after the Santa Maria Novella Basilica - a Dominican basilica and important cultural centre during the Middle Ages. The train station of the same name (designed in 1932 by the young architect Giovanni Michelucci) is also situated nearby. Not far from the station is the Fortezza da Basso, a former stronghold of the city which is now used as an important centre for conferences, conventions and exhibitions. The zone is also home to the Parco delle Cascine , one of the city's green oases. In this district also lies via Tornabuoni, a street which is famous for being home to some of Italy's most prestigious designer boutiques e.g. Versace and the Florentine Ferragamo .
Santa Croce is named after Santa Croce church, a medieval Franciscan basilica. The National Central Library (Biblioteca Nazionale Centrale di Firenze) is also located here.
Santo Spirito, or the Oltrarno stretches from San Frediano to San Niccolò , but its heart is probably the Piazza Santo Spirito , which has retained much of its historic charm and is filled with workshops of the city's traditional artisans. This piazza is the place for parties on summer evenings, bringing together young Florentines and foreigners, many of whom live in this area. The Palazzo Pitti with its old Medicean garden and the Boboli Garden, are both in Oltrarno. The famous Piazzale Michelangelo (with its panoramic view) is also in this district. From here, it is possible to see one of the few remaining stretches of medieval wall around the Belvedere that was spared from demolition in the 19th century.
Campo di Marte is located outside of what used to the be the medieval city wall and is home to many historical buildings dating back to the early 20th century, as well as to many modern stone and cement apartment blocks which were built after World War Two. There are also numerous sports venues, athletic facilities and the Franchi Stadium. Fiesole , and the Bellariva zone are close by; these are swathes of Piagentina countryside that always induced feelings of nostalgia in Tuscan painters.
Gavinana is south of the Arno and leads to the well-known Chianti wine region. On the southwestern side lies Galluzo, famous for its Carthusian monastery.
Isolotto & Legnaia combines areas of the city that were developed during the 1960s and 1970s and are still expanding. The Isolotto district was once the scene of various clashes and social unrest during the 1960s.
Rifredi is in the northwestern part of the city and is a place of contrasts; home to many beautiful country villas as well as industrialized residential areas and host to many Chinese and African immigrants. The influx of immigrants means that even a city like Florence cannot live forever in the past but must create a new multi-ethnic history.
Tags:
art, attractions, cuisine, history, road trips, shopping
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By azisling
9 days
When you go to Italy for the first time, there are three stops you must include. Rome, Florence,Venice. Italy is worth many visits, and can be great for all sorts of more focused trips, but these are the core cities.
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By azisling
11 days
Italy is the perfect travel destination anytime of the year. From endless culture, fine cuisine, and world famous attractions.
This is trip you can arrange as-is via Gate 1 Travel, or arrange it as a private tour driving as a family going solo.
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102 people reviewed Florence (1-20 out of 102)
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Top
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at 4:15PM May 29, 2008
I love Florence. Make the effort and climb up the Doumo
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at 2:53AM May 29, 2008
aahhhh. the duomo is magnificent, so are the plazas. You must see the 'David'! Go inside the Uffizi museum--especially if you are a Boticelli fan! I think that this museum contains the most beautiful renaissance paintings by Italian artists. I would go visit again if I could!
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at 11:55AM May 27, 2008
One of the most beautiful cities in Europe. Not to be missed : Piazzale Michelangelo which offers a fine panorama of the city. Sunset provides the most spectacular lighting of the city.
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at 10:50PM August 17, 2009
Another city with a small-town feel, but big-town art.
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at 1:30PM April 3, 2009
Maybe just the weather was too bad, but I expected more. But, Would like to go back one day!
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at 4:10PM August 15, 2008
definitely my favourite italian city...i have returned 5 times!
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at 6:40PM August 11, 2008
absolutly the most beautiful place I have ever seen
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at 8:20AM July 6, 2008
One of the most beautiful places on the face of the Earth!
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at 7:20AM June 13, 2008
Por vezes encanta mais do que Roma
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at 11:40PM June 10, 2008
mi sueño!! ir a comer a florencia,, un dia de campo siii!!
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at 10:55AM May 29, 2008
On my list!
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at 11:09PM May 27, 2008
The most beautiful city ever! And the landscape ..unique!
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at 3:28PM May 27, 2008
Florence is a must see... but you must see it in winter to avoid the Disney-esque hordes who turn it into "Renaissanceland" every summer. We went at the end of April, and it was still jammed. It was only at night, when the crowds were tucked safely into their hotel beds, that you could wander around and sense the atmosphere of the place, which is truly magical.
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at 10:18PM October 28, 2009
Great art and great shopping, does it get better then that? One of my all time favorite places the museums are a must see and leather goods are a must have. Beware of the pigeons, they are everywhere.
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at 7:10AM October 18, 2009
Beautiful! Like an open air museum.
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at 8:40PM October 9, 2009
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at 3:50AM October 6, 2009
A mi me encanto, es bellisimo....
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at 8:00AM September 8, 2009
Wow, what a beautiful place!!!
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at 11:10AM June 16, 2009
Cosy, walkable and absolutely lovely city
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at 3:02PM January 28, 2009
Renaisance city.
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