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Florence
the birthplace of the Renaissance
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We have visited Florence many times, and beyond landmarks everyone should see at least once, such as Santa Maria del Fiore, Palazzo Vecchio, and Ponte Vecchio, some of our strongest memories are of the spectacular sunsets from Piazzale Michelangelo, where the city unfolds below in one of Italy’s most memorable urban panoramas.
History of Florence:
The Florence plain and the surrounding hills were inhabited since prehistoric times, as archaeological finds show. Around the ninth century BC, Etruscans created a settlement near a ford on the Arno. Around 150 BC, Etruscans from Visul, modern Fiesole, refounded a settlement by the river and built an early wooden bridge. Read More [...]
After the Social War, Visul received Roman citizenship as Fæsule. Probably in 59 BC, Florentia became a Roman colony for army veterans, with walls, a rectangular plan, a forum, and the main cardo and decumanus streets. From the fourth century, the city was already the seat of a bishopric.
From the tenth century, Florence grew again and became an autonomous commune in 1115. In the thirteenth century, it was divided by conflicts between Ghibellines and Guelphs. The Guelph victory at Colle on June 17, 1269, was followed by the split between White and Black Guelphs and Dante Alighieri’s exile.
Political conflict did not prevent Florence from becoming one of Europe’s most powerful and prosperous cities. The gold florin was introduced in 1252, Pisa declined after defeat by Genoa in 1284, and Florence purchased Pisa in 1406. Before the Black Death of 1348, Florence had about 80,000 inhabitants.
Under the Medici, Florence entered its most important Renaissance phase. Their patronage attracted humanists, painters, sculptors, and philosophers, including Pico della Mirandola, Marsilio Ficino, Botticelli, Verrocchio, and the young Michelangelo. Later, Florence became capital of the Grand Duchy of Tuscany, and from 1865 to 1871, capital of Italy.
Geography of Florence:
Florence is the capital city of Tuscany and lies in central Italy, in a broad basin at the southeastern end of the Florence-Prato-Pistoia plain. The city stands close to the first hills of the Tuscan-Emilian Apennines, in a natural amphitheatre that helped shape both its urban form and surrounding landscape over many centuries. Read More [...]
The basin is surrounded by several hills and elevated areas. To the north are Cercina, Rifredi, and Careggi, to the northeast rises Fiesole, and to the east stands Settignano. South of the city are Arcetri, Poggio Imperiale, and Bellosguardo, hill zones historically linked to residences, viewpoints, and agricultural land outside the dense urban core.
The Arno River crosses the plain where Florence developed and divides its course between the upper and lower Valdarno. The city is also crossed by smaller watercourses, including the Mugnone, Terzolle, and Greve. The river has shaped Florence’s settlement, bridges, riverbanks, flood risks, historical commercial connections, and urban geography through the centuries.
Florence is 62 kilometers north of Siena, 70 kilometers east of Lucca, 72 kilometers northwest of Arezzo, and 78 kilometers east of Pisa. It is also 104 kilometers south of Bologna, 252 southwest of Venice, 283 north of Rome, 317 southeast of Milan, and about 500 northwest of Naples.
Transport to/in Florence:
Florence is well connected by air, rail, road, and bus. Although smaller than Rome or Milan, the city is one of the main gateways to Tuscany and central Italy. Its transport network links the historic center with Italian cities, European destinations, airports, railway stations, motorways, tram lines, and nearby Tuscan towns. Read More [...]
By train: Florence’s main railway station is Firenze Santa Maria Novella, located close to the historic center. Direct trains connect the city with Rome, Milan, Venice, Bologna, Naples, Turin, Pisa, Lucca, and other Italian destinations. A trip from Rome takes between 1.5 and 4 hours, from Venice between 2 and 5 hours, and from Milan between 2 and 5.5 hours.
By road: Florence is connected to the Italian motorway network by the A1, the main north-south motorway linking Milan, Bologna, Florence, Rome, and Naples. The A11 and the Firenze-Pisa-Livorno road connect the city with Pisa, Lucca, Prato, Livorno, and the Tuscan coast. Access to the historic center is limited by ZTL traffic restrictions.
By bus: Florence is connected to many Italian and European cities by long-distance coach services. Many buses use Villa Costanza coach station, located near the A1 motorway and connected to the city by tram. This location allows intercity buses to serve Florence without entering the most congested central areas.
By air: Florence is served by Amerigo Vespucci International Airport, located about 10 kilometers from the city center. From the airport, tramway Line T2 connects Peretola Aeroporto with the Santa Maria Novella railway station area in about 20 minutes. Another useful airport is Galileo Galilei Airport in Pisa, located about 77 kilometers from Florence.
Getting around Florence: Transport in Florence includes tramways, urban buses, taxis, regional trains, and pedestrian routes through the historic center. The tram network is useful for the airport, Santa Maria Novella station, Scandicci, and suburban districts. The central area is compact, and many major landmarks can be reached on foot from the railway station.
Tourist Attractions in Florence:
Florence’s churches include the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, Basilica of Santa Maria Novella, Basilica of Santa Croce, and Basilica of San Lorenzo. These religious buildings preserve major examples of Gothic, Romanesque, and Renaissance architecture, together with frescoes, sculptures, tombs, chapels, and works connected to leading Florentine artists. Read More [...]
Florence’s palaces and squares show the city’s political and civic history. Palazzo Vecchio dominates Piazza della Signoria, while Palazzo Pitti stands across the Arno, near the Boboli Gardens. Palazzo Medici Riccardi reflects Medici power. Important squares include Piazza del Duomo, Piazza della Repubblica, Piazza Santa Croce, and Piazza Santa Maria Novella.
Florence’s museums include the Uffizi Gallery, the Accademia Gallery, the Bargello, the Museo dell’Opera del Duomo, and the galleries inside Palazzo Pitti. Other important attractions include Ponte Vecchio, the Vasari Corridor, Piazzale Michelangelo, the Arno riverbanks, historic bridges, and panoramic viewpoints over the city.
Events in Florence:
Florence has several traditional events connected to religion, history, and popular folklore. On January 6, the Cavalcade of the Magi recreates the journey of the Three Wise Men for Epiphany. On February 17, the Match of the Siege recalls a famous Calcio Storico Fiorentino game played during the 1530 siege of Florence. Read More [...]
On Easter Sunday, the Explosion of the Cart, or Scoppio del Carro, takes place in the historic center, near the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore. On September 7, the Festival of the Paper Lanterns celebrates Florentine popular tradition. Major music events include Firenze Rocks, usually in June, and Decibel Open Air, held in September.
Frequently Asked Questions about Florence:
Where is Florence located?
Florence is located in Tuscany. It lies in a basin crossed by the Arno River and surrounded by hills such as Fiesole, Careggi, Arcetri, and Bellosguardo. Read More [...]
Why is Florence famous?
Florence is famous for its Renaissance architecture. The city is connected to the Medici family, Dante Alighieri, Michelangelo, Botticelli, and Brunelleschi.
What is the main church in Florence?
The main church in Florence is the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore. It is known for Brunelleschi’s dome, Giotto’s Bell Tower, and the Baptistery of San Giovanni.
What are the most important museums in Florence?
The most important museums in Florence include the Uffizi Gallery, the Accademia Gallery, the Bargello, the Museo dell’Opera del Duomo, and the Palazzo Pitti.
What is the best-known square in Florence?
Piazza della Signoria is one of Florence’s best-known squares. It is dominated by Palazzo Vecchio and contains important sculptures and civic monuments.
How can you get to Florence by train?
Florence can be reached by train through Firenze Santa Maria Novella railway station. It has direct connections with Rome, Milan, Venice, Naples, and other Italian cities.
Does Florence have an airport?
Yes, Florence is served by Amerigo Vespucci International Airport, located about 10 kilometers away. Tramway Line T2 connects the airport with Santa Maria Novella.
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