Autor: Helen Longhi Wagner | Publicado: 2017-07-16T07:40:00-07:00


FIRENZE, THE
CAPITAL OF THE RENAISSANCE


&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The first posts of this "Italy,
we love you" series will be our tribute to Florence, this wonderful city
that is considered to be the capital of the Renaissance.


&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Firenze is the capital of the
Tuscany Region. In the year 59 BC the Romans founded a small village (they
called it "Florentia") to house veterans of their legions. The
remains of a Roman Theater under the Palazzo Vecchio are now a tourist
attraction. From the name Florentia derived "Fiorenza", used in
antiquity and still today in the medieval celebrations (Evviva Fiorenza!). In
these medieval events, which enchant the tourists, teams of young people called
"Sbandieratori" display their flag throwing skills using the
Florentine flag, with the red fleur de lys on a white background.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Florentine
politics was dominated for most of medieval times by families of wealthy
bankers, many of them also wool producers. Their banks lent money to many kings
all over Europe and also to many Popes. Most of the beautiful buildings
appreciated by tourists today belonged to these families, such as the Strozzi,
the Spini and the Tornabuoni. The most important of these families were the Medici,
who ruled Florence and all of Tuscany for about 300 years, beginning in 1434.







The importance and fortune of the family began with Giovani
de Bici, who became a banker and was an active participant in Florence's
political life in the late 1300s and early 1400s. He had two children: Cosimo
il Vecchio and Lorenzo, also called il Vecchio.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The first Medici family
members to rule Florence, beginning in 1434, which are regarded as the main
branch of the family, are the descendants of Cosimo, including his
great-grandson Lorenzo the Magnificent. This branch ruled Florence from 1434 to
1537 with few interruptions, the government not yet being hereditary. In 1537,
after the death of Alessandro, the last representative of the branch of Cosimo,
the descendants of Lorenzo il Vecchio started to rule Florence and later all of
Tuscany, with the title of Grand Dukes (the power then becoming hereditary)
until 1737. They were, in chronological order: Cosimo I, Francesco I,
Ferdinando I, Cosimo II, Ferdinando II, Cosimo III and the last Medici, Gian
Gastone, who died in 1737.








&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Florence was respected throughout Europe.
From 1865 to 1871 it was the Capital of the Italian Kingdom, after the
unification of Italy in 1861. The "vulgar" Italian used by Dante
Alighieri in the Divine Comedy was chosen as the official language of the new
Italy.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Other
interesting facts: Michelangelo and Botticelli were protégées of the Medici at
the beginning of their careers and lived in the family's Palazzo (now Palazzo Medici-Riccardi)
in Via Larga (now Via Cavour). Galileo lived the last years of his life in
Florence under house arrest, and was protected and financed by the Medici. He
was buried in the Church of Santa Croce. From the Medici family came two popes,
Leo X (son of Lorenzo il Magnifico) and Clement VII (Lorenzo's nephew), two
Queens of France, Caterina di Medici (Lorenzo's great-grandson) and Maria
(granddaughter of Cosimo I). Two daughters of Maria di Medici became queen
consorts of England and Spain. Ana Maria Luisa di Medici became "Elletrice
Palatina" when she married a German prince who was part of the group of
Prince Electors of the Holy Roman Empire.



When to visit Firenze?


&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;It’s better during the spring or
autumn, when the city is less crowded. In the summer the city is absolutely full
of tourists and sometimes the heat can be almost unbearable. In the winter,
although the temperature is sometimes below freezing, it hardly snows and the
city is less crowded. But of course the daylight times are shorter.





&nbsp;Visiting Firenze:


&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;In
general, tourists staying in Firenze for two or three days visit the Galleria
degli Uffizi, the Galleria dell'Academia (where Michelangelo’s David is on
display), the Complex of the Santa Maria di Fiore Cathedral (including the Dome
of Brunelleschi, the Baptistery and Giotto's Belfry), the Ponte Vecchio and the
Palazzo Vecchio.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;However,
there are so many other places to visit that it is advisable to stay in
Florence for at least a week, to organize a program beforehand and to study a
little of the history of the city, to better enjoy the visit. Audio guides are
usually available in museums and galleries. Pay special attention to the
schedules of the museums and galleries because they are variable.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Some
attractions are always crowded, like the two art galleries mentioned above. To
avoid the long queues, there are two possibilities: buy a Firenzecard (good for
72 hours) online or directly in Florence or book online in advance.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Just
walking through the historic center, around the Duomo, Palazzo Vecchio and
Ponte Vecchio, is a wonderful program and allows you to feel the unique
atmosphere of the city. It's the first thing to be done and you can always stop
for a cappuccino! Also not to be missed, especially at sunset, is a climb up to
the Piazzale Michelangelo. We suggest walking there, although it may be very
tiring, from the city centre across the Alle Grazie Bridge towards the Demidoff
Square, and then following the signs that lead to the Porta San Miniato, located
in a well preserved part of the city wall, where the steeper part of the climb
begins. During the climb, don’t miss a visit to the Rose Garden, especially
beautiful in the spring. For those who don’t wish to walk, there are buses
leaving from Piazza San Marco, or taxis.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Another
must-see attraction is a visit to the Mercato Centrale. This market is behind
and to the right of the Basilica of San Lorenzo and features, on the ground floor,
stalls selling high quality foods produced mostly locally. There are also some eating spots on this ground
floor, but in the first floor (reopened in 2014 after renovation) there is a
food court with offering panini, pastries, pizza, tartufo dishes (all prepared
locally), wine, beer, ice cream and coffee, among many other options. You buy
what you want on the food stalls and then sit at the common tables. The dishes
prepared inside the market use only products sold in the market itself. 

TIP: pay attention
to the market hours: the ground floor opens from 7AM to 2PM, except on Sundays.&nbsp; It closes a little later on Saturdays. The
first floor opens every day from 10AM to midnight.


&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The
next posts will be about some very interesting attractions outside of the usual
tourist routine, and will include some useful information.