Florence is the capital of the Firenze province and the Tuscany region in central Italy. It is located about 145 miles northwest of Rome. The city is beautiful, with art, architecture, and statues everywhere. The colorful, rolling landscape features vineyards, orchards, farms, and villas.

History early period

According to Britannica, Florence was established as a Roman military colony in the 1st century for soldiers. By the 3rd century CE, Florence became a province of the Roman Empire and developed into a prosperous center of arts, commerce, finance, and education.

In medieval times, Florence was first occupied by the Ostrogoths in the 5th century, followed by the Byzantines in the 6th century, and then by the Langobards, or Lombards. In the 10th century, Florence prospered under the rule of Countess Matilda of Tuscany from 1069 to 1115, emerging as a major city in Tuscany.

Florence’s constitution, titled Ordinary Justice, was written in 1293, and by the 12th and 13th centuries, Florence had expanded both economically and politically. Its woolen cloth industry grew, and banking provided capital.

From 1285 to 1349, Florence was vulnerable to attacks from Bologna to Rome. Its rolling hills protected it from invasion, so citizens built walls that were torn down as the city expanded in 1860. The city preserved some of these walls.

By the middle of the 14th century, Florence developed into a metropolis with a population of 90,000, becoming a renowned city alongside Paris, Venice, Milan, and Naples.

It was the Republic of Tuscany and served as the capital of Italy from 1865 to 1870.

Today, scholars wonder how this small city in Europe, despite lacking political or military power for centuries, gained significant influence amid invasions. Florence’s Italian language is a native dialect of its region.

Architecture and art

When visiting Florence, architecture is a work of art with reliefs of sculptures on buildings and sculptures by famous artists such as Dante, Machiavelli, Galileo, Leonardo da Vinci, and Michelangelo, with well-known rulers and generations of the Medici family. It’s a city of wealth, power, and religion.

The Florentine artist was influential in the law of perspective. The Florentine artists, including painters, writers, architects, and craftspeople, played a significant role in developing the Renaissance period. Amerigo Vespucci is a famous navigator known across several continents.

Florence had developed into a significant cultural, economic, political, and artistic power in the modern world. During the 1950s and 60s, Mayor Giorgio La Pira was influential in the innovation of the modernist train station designed by Giovanni Michelucci and its football stadium designed by Pier Luigi. In the 1960s and 70s, the Archizoom radical movement emerged, focusing on the region’s landscape.

With waves of migration in the 20th century, the city expanded. Housing projects were developed in 1954 and 1955, transforming the city into a sprawling urban system alongside other towns to the northwest of Prato and the southwest of Arezzo.

The Renaissance era was a period of unique architectural development, featuring remnants of a Roman garrison town. The landscape is designed on a rectilinear grid centered around Via Calimala, with Piazza Della Repubblica serving as a market at its heart.

Like any city, Florence’s iconic structure defines the city skyline. One notable building in Florence is the austere Palazzo Vecchio, constructed in 1299 in Piazza della Signoria.

It houses the local civic government, legislative and executive branches, and Florence’s town hall. The second building is the skyline dome of the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, located north of Piazza della Signoria and built in 1296.

Despite its modest industrial output, the region’s tourism and technology sectors are economically robust. Additionally, Florence played a significant role in shaping the transport lines that connect northern and southern Italy.

Many Florentines work in industrial suburbs, developing furniture production, rubber goods, chemicals, and food. Tourism primarily supports the city with funds from foreigners.
Florence’s traditional crafts include glassware and ceramics, wrought iron, leatherwork, wares of precious metals, and art reproductions. The leather is so soft; it feels like butter.

Florence is known for its high-fashion clothing and shoe production. Major fashion companies operating in Florence include Gucci and Ferragamo. Over the years, Florence has hosted numerous events, including international antique fairs, international fashion shows, and various crafts and art exhibits.

Getting around Florence

Touring the central area of Florence is restricted for vehicles, so walking is the best way to experience everything, including markets, stores, and excellent restaurants. Buses and taxis are available, along with bicycle rentals.

Florence’s efficient rail system allows you to explore the country’s landscape. The Eurostar travels from Florence to Milan in less than three hours and to Rome in less than two.

Florence’s summer climate is hot and humid, while winter is wet and cold. The average monthly temperature for July and August ranges from about 73 to 75 degrees, with an average daytime high of approximately 95 degrees. In contrast, the average monthly temperature for January is 41 degrees.

Must-sees

1. If you enjoy wine, consider taking a wine-tasting day tour to Tuscany, visiting Siena, San Gimignano, and Pisa from Florence.
2. Embark on a Cinque Terre day trip from Florence for thrilling hikes along the cliffs. Stroll along scenic paths in national parks and explore five charming fishing villages.
3. Take a Vespa tour of Florence through the Tuscan hills, stopping at a restaurant to enjoy Italian cuisine and savor excellent wine.
4. Visit the Uffizi Gallery in Florence, which features works by Michelangelo, Da Vinci, Giotto, and Botticelli.
5. The Brunelleschi dome and the Cathedral of Santa Maria feature stunning works of art and offer a panoramic view from the top.
6. Visit Florence’s top attraction, Michelangelo’s famous David, at the Accademia Gallery.
7. Take a tour of Florence’s historical and religious landmarks: the Cathedral, Duomo, museum, and baptistery, and climb Giotto’s Bell Tower.