The place where epochs blend, where the spirit of modernity and ancient times creates unprecedented feeling and atmosphere, is Florence, or as the locals know it, Firenze.
They call it the city where the Italian genius manifests itself with the greatest brilliance and intensity. Florence is world famous for its cultural and artistic heritage and traditions. It is the capital of the region of Tuscany (itself worth visiting because of its natural beauty and the speldours of its historical towns). Florence is sprawled in a kind of cradle surrounded by gentle hills in the middle basin of the Arno river. It was established by Romans under the name of “Florentia” in 59 BC.
At the dawn of the second millennium, Florence took the side of the Countess Matilda di Canossa, who awarded the town its freedom. About 12th century, the city prospered with its new growing merchant class. The crafts were divided into powerful Corporations for the Arts and Crafts; as much as one third of the population of the city was employed by the Guilds of Silk and Wool. All types of goods were exported to Europe with the financial support of Florentine bankers. From 1215, Florentine political life was dominated by the conflict between noble fractions.
For more than three hundred years (from 12th to 15th centuries), Florence was magnetic centre of creative spirits of many sorts: from the immense poet Dante, to Cimabue, Giotto, Botticelli, Brunelleschi, Donatello and even Michelangelo.
Florence became a “constitutional signoria” in 1434 under Cosimo de Medici, who wisely ruled over the city for thirty years. He followed a policy of tolerance between the Italian states; the same policy was adopted also by his grandson Lorenzo il Magnifico, under whom arts prospered.
Painting, sculpture and architecture, also music, literature and all the arts underwent a stunning transformation with an effect of a real cultural revolutions within the turbulent and various history of the town.
In the second Renaissance in 16th century (centred in Rome), also developed in Florence.
During Napoleon’s times, the city was under Austrian rule, but in since 1860 it is again part of Italy.
The city suffered considerably during the World War II. The other serious plight was the great flood in 1966.
Nowadays Firenze is one of the most loved Italian cities, and it is visited by millions of tourists.
| 
| 
| 