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Florence
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Cradle of the Renaissance, home of Dante, Machiavelli, Michelangelo and the Medici, Florence (Firenze) is overwhelming in its wealth of art, culture and history. Even in summer - the season of huge crowds, hot weather and severe air pollution - it is one of the most enticing cities in Italy.
Florence was founded as a colony of the Etruscan city of Fiesole in about 200 BC and later became the strategic Roman garrison settlement of Florentia. In the Middle Ages the city flourished as a banking and commerce centre, which sparked a period of building and growth previously unequalled in Italy. Under Medici rule in the 15th century, Florence reached the zenith of its artistic, cultural and political development and gave birth to the Italian Renaissance.
The Grand Duchy of the Medici was succeeded in the 18th century by the House of Lorraine (related to the Austrian Habsburgs). Following Italy's unification movement (the Risorgimento), Florence became capital of the new Kingdom of Italy from 1865 to 1871. During WWII, parts of the city, including all of the bridges except the Ponte Vecchio, were destroyed by bombing. After a devastating flood in 1966 destroyed or severely damaged many important works of art, a worldwide fundraising effort helped Florence with its massive restoration works.
Orientation
The central train station, Santa Maria Novella, is a good reference point. Budget hotels and pensions are concentrated east of the station around Via Nazionale and south of the station near Piazza Santa Maria Novella. From the station it's a 10-minute walk (along Via de' Panzani and then Via de' Cerretani) to Piazza del Duomo and the historical centre.
THINGS TO SEE AND DO
Duomo
The Duomo is one of Italy's most famous monuments, and one of the world’s largest cathedrals. Named the Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore, it was begun in 1294 by the Sienese architect Arnolfo di Cambio but took almost 150 years to complete.
The Renaissance architect Brunelleschi won a public competition to design the wonderful dome, which is decorated with frescoes by Vasari and Zuccari, and painted windows by Donatello, Andrea del Castagno, Paolo Uccello and Lorenzo Ghiberti. Climb to the top for an unparalleled view of Florence (open 8.30 am to 7.30 pm Monday to Friday and on Saturday to 5 pm; entry 5 €).
Giotto designed and began building the bell tower next to the cathedral in 1334, but died before it was finished. This unusual and graceful structure is 82m high. You can climb to the top daily from 9 am to 7.30 pm (5 €).
The Romanesque baptistry, believed to have been built between the 5th and 11 th centuries on the site of a Roman temple, is the oldest building in Florence. Dante was baptised here. You must see its bronze doors, particularly the celebrated east doors facing the Duomo, entitled the Gates of Paradise, by Lorenzo Ghiberti. The south door, by Andrea Pisano, dates from 1336 and is the oldest. Most of the doors are copies - the original panels are being removed for restoration and are placed in the Museo dell'Opera del Duomo as work is completed. The baptistry is open noon to 6.30 pm Monday to Saturday, and 8.30 am to 1.30 pm on Sunday (3 €).
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