Florence, or Firenze, is a city in Italy. It is both the capital of the Province of Florence as well as the region of Tuscany. The city has a population of 370,000 within a metropolitan area with 1.5 million inhabitants.
Florence is located by the banks of the River Arno and is famous for its art and architectural heritage. It was a centre of trade during the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, and was one of the wealthiest cities in Italy during that period.
Florence is regarded as the birthplace of Italian Renaissance. It even became the capital of the Kingdom of Italy from 1865 to 1870.
Today Florence is a major tourist destination, attraction over a million tourists to its many attractions every year. The heritage sites of Florence are a World Heritage Site since 1982. It is either the birthplace or home base of many notable personalities, both historical and modern, including Dante, Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Donatello, Guccio Gucci, Salvatore Ferragamo, Roberto Cavalli and Florence Nightingale, to name a few.
Duomo, Florence Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Duomo_florence.jpg Author: Bruno Barral
The Duomo, Florence, at night Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Il_Duomo_Florence_Italy.JPG Author: MarcusObal
Travel to Florence
By Plane
The Amerigo Vespucci International Airport is the gateway to Florence by air. To leave the airport, the airport shuttle bus, Ataf-Sita, goes from airport to the central train station in downtown Florence for €5. The same journey by taxi costs €25.
By Train
Santa Maria Novella is the main railway station in Italy. It is served by the fast, modern, and expensive Eurostar trains. Budget travelers can take the Intercity train to the Rifredi station, from there, changing train to reach Santa Maria Novella. The change is usually covered by your Intercity train ticket.
Florence in winter Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ponte_Vecchio_neve.jpg Author: Alberto Lavacchi
Travel within Florence
You can easily explore the historic part of Florence on foot. Alternatively you can also rent a bicycle to cycle around the city. The most convenient spot to hire a bicycle is at the Santa Maria Novella railway station. Be forewarned though that traffic in Florence can be nerve wrecking.
Living in Florence
The beautiful city of Florence encompasses much of the Italian lifestyle that tourists love to come and soak up. Choosing the apartments in Florence can leave you in a great location to enjoy a midday espresso whilst watching the world go by.
Ponte Santa Trinita across the River Arno, Florence Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ponte_Santa_Trinita.JPG Author: Sailko
Places of Interest in Florence
Piazza del Duomo Cathedral square of Florence, starting point for most visitors exploring Florence.
Duomo The Cathedral of Florence, with the biggest dome in the world.
Museo dell'Opera del Duomo Museum housing the treasures of the Duomo, located on the east side of the Piazza del Duomo.
Orsanmichele Church with Renaissance statues of patron saints of respective guilds that sponsored them.
Piazza della Signoria Square with a replica of Michelangelo's David, as well as Bandinelli's Hercules.
Loggia dei Lanzi More statues here including Perseus and Rape of the Sabine Women.
Palazzo Vecchio Palace of the duke of Florence, today Florence's city hall.
Uffizi The offices of Tuscan bureaucracy.
Ponte Vecchio Bridge built in 1345, today a place where souvenir sellers hawk their wares to tourists.
Santo Spirito Church by Brunelleschi, regarded as an architectural masterpiece.
Santa Maria del Carmine Church that houses the Brancacci Chapel, which contains Life of St Peter by Masaccio.
Palazzo Pitti Residence of the Medici Grand Dukes in 1550.
Giardino di Boboli Famous park in Florence, with a fine collection of sculptures from the 16th to the 18th centuries.
San Miniato al Monte A beautiful Romanesque church on the hills above Florence.
Santa Croce Massive Gothic church featured in E.M Forster's novel A Room with a View
Casa Buonarroti House that was once owned by Michelangelo, and containing Madonna della Scala, created by him at age 16.
Bargello Museum that was formerly a prison and execution site, now devoted to sculptures and applied art.
Badio Fiorentina Abbey church attended by Dante.
Casa di Dante The house where Dante was born in 1265.
Mercato Nuovo A market place with Il Porcellino, a bronze pig statue.
Palazzo Davanzati 14th century town house now housing the Museo della Casa Fiorentina, a museum of domestic life in Florence.
River Arno River that flows through Florence.
Ponte Santa Trinità Bridge with statues depicting the Four Seasons.
Santa Trinità Church with frescos by Fhirlandaio entitled Life of St Francis
Piazza Santa Maria Novella Public square with view of the Basilica di Santa Maria Novella
San Lorenzo Venue of street market in Florence.
Cappelle Medicee Mausoleum of the Medici family.
Galleria dell'Accademia Gallery housing the original David by Michelangelo along with other famous statues.
San Marco Convent containing paintings and frescoes by the saintly artist Fra Angelico.
Piazza della Santissima Annunziata Public square with Renaissance colonnade.
Museo Archeologico Nazionale Museum housing Estruscan and Egyptian archaeological treasures.
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