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Firenze and its History

it's nice to know good informtion about the villages or towns you are visiting

HISTORY Founded by the Romans in the first century B.C., Florence began its rebirth after the decadence of the barbaric ages, in the Carolingian period, and reached its highest pinnacles of civilization between the 11th and 15th centuries, as a free city, balancing the authority of the Emperors with that of the Popes, overcoming the unfortunate internal dispute between Guelfs and Ghibellines. In the 15th century, it came under the rule of the Medici family, who later became the Grand Dukes of Tuscany. This in fact was the period when the city was at the height of its glory in art and culture, in politics and economic power. The Grand Duchy of the Medicis was succeeded, in the 18th century, by that of the House of Lorraine, when in 1860 Tuscany became part of the Kingdom of Italy of which Florence was the capital from 1865 to 1871. In this century, the city has once more taken up its role as an important centre for culture and the arts. FIRENZE It'scapital of the region of Tuscany, has a population of around half a million inhabitants, spreads on the banks of the Arno, between the Adriatic and the Tyrrhenian seas, almost in the middle of the Italian peninsula. It is a city which bustles with industry and craft, commerce and culture, art and science. Being on the main national railway lines, it is easily accessible from most important places both in Italy and abroad. The Florence "Vespucci" airport, where both national and international airlines stop, is located 5 Km. from the city centre. The main motorway, A1, connects Florence with Bologna and Milano in the North and Rome and Naples in the South. The motorway A11 to the sea joins it to Prato, Pistoia, Montecatini, Lucca, Pisa and all the resorts on the Tyrrhenian sea. There is also motorway which connects Florence to Siena. The climate is temperate but rather variable, with breezy winters and hot summers. The Chianti area, between Florence and Siena, is one of the most beautiful countrysides in Italy and a famous wine production area and lovely and charming farm houses The cradle of the Renaissance, home to wonderful works of art loved the world over. Michelangelo, Giotto, Botticelli, Della Robbia, Pontormo just to be a name dropper. Florence is an art and culture lover’s paradise. However this charming Tuscan city with a population of just 400,000 offers so much more. You can pass an entire holiday in Florence without entering a museum and still go home fulfilled. The ocre or terracotta hue that the streets and rooves take when seen from the various panoramic view points above the city in the morning or evening light are unique. The narrow cobbled viuzze, tiny medieval streets, the enchanting artisan shops in the left bank area which still hand craft or produce their goods, the tempting gelateria with every flavour and colour of icecream under the sun topped by whole fresh fruits, the elegant boutiques and trendy individual shops, the quiet understated elegance of the real florentine inhabitants all lend a unrepeatable air to a Florentine sojourn. From our open top buses you will be a privaleged observer to all of this and more . This spring has seen the arrival of bright new bus es to start the new route to Fiesole, the Etruscan hill town just a few kilometres out of Florence which no trip to the city would be complete without visiting. As well as the stunning panoramic views over the Tuscan countryside the opportunity for cultural visits are well worth the trip. The Roman amphitheatre, the Cathedral, the Civic museum, to name just a few and of course the splendid paths and trails which lend themselves so well for trekking or strolling. This is an ideal itinerary for relaxing after the hustle and bustle of the city. Sit back and let your driver slowly take you along the winding country roads. Sunset is especially magical and quite romantic!

Tags: Apartments , Chianti , Firenze , Holidays , Siena , Tuscany , Tuscany travel , wine

Of Eleonora & Francesco (12/6/2008 9:29:04 PM, in Firenze and its history, read 582 times)
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