A few words about Florence

Florence is a city which cultural and historical impact is overwhelming. It contains an unrivalled artistic patrimony, glorious evidences to its worldly civilization. Its history and magnetism attract every year a mass of tourists who seek to rediscover its prominent buildings, elegant galleries and treasure-crammed churches.

Florence's history is very intriguing. The Romans founded Florence in the 1st century B.C. In the beginning of 12th century it became a free city, balancing the authority of the Emperors with that of the Popes. During the 13th century the pro-papal Guelphs and pro-imperial Ghibellines started a century-long internal dispute, which ended up with the Guelphs establishing their own government in the end of the 13th century. Thanks to that Florence became democratised and in due course formed a commercial republic managed by the Guelph heavy merchant class. In the 15th century, Florence was under the rule of Medici family, who later became the Grand Dukes of Tuscany. This period was the most important one for Florence as then the city was at the summit of its glory in art and culture, in politics and economic power. The Grand Duchy of the Medicis ruled until the 18th century, when they were succeeded by the Grand Duchy of the House of Lorraine. Following this in 1860 Tuscany turned into a part of the Kingdom of Italy and Florence was its capital from 1865 to 1871. During that period, Florence took up its role as a significant centre for culture and the arts.

Florence contains an exceptional artistic heritage and its legacy is hard to avoid. Some of the world's most famous figures of Art and Culture spent their life in the city. Among the famous Florentines who contributed to the vivid spirit of the city and to the principles of the Art and Culture in general were the fathers of the Italian painting techniques Cimabue and Giotto, the sculptors Brunelleschi, Donatello and Masaccio, the Renaissance activists Ghiberti and the Della Robbia, the universal talents - Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo and the father of the modern experimental science - Galileo. Last but not least the city of Florence nourished the ideas of Dante, Petrarch and Boccaccio who brought the principles of the Humanism and revived the values of the classical Civilisation. A renowned university town in the past thanks to its celebrated personalities today Florence is a vibrant university and science centre with many specialized institutes and an international cultural centre as well.

Being such a glorious city in the past, with history and historic figures that testify this, Florence is one of Europe most attractive cities with monuments and attractions that are famous around the world. The city bustles with industry and craft, art and science, commerce and culture. Its city centre is lined with historic buildings, beautiful cathedrals and interesting places to go. Fashionable restaurants, trendy cafes and boutique shops contribute to the vibrant Florentine atmosphere. One of the most favourite spots of both tourists and locals is undoubtedly the Duomo, its full name being Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore. It is the world's fourth largest cathedral and its sloping red-tiled dome is made by the renowned Brunelleschi. The Pitti Palace is also another place worth visiting. Designed by Brunelleschi for the Pitti family, who were rivals of the Medicis, the Palace is an impressive building housing Medici's huge art collection. Its interior preserves the extravagantly lavish lifestyle of its former owners. Not to be missed are also Palazzo Vecchio, Santa Croce church, Piazza della Signoria and Bargello Museum, which has the most comprehensive collection of medieval and Renaissance sculpture in the country.