Julius Caesar established Florence in 5 the9 BC. In 4th century CE Florence fell under Byzantine and Ostrogothic rule, under Lombard in the 6th and then Charlemagne conquered it in 774. After it became part of Tuscany, about 1000, Hugh the Great moved from Lucca to Florence and the Golden Age of Florentine Art started. The Republic of Florence existed from 1115 to 1532. Late in the republic the Italian Renaissance began and Florence became the cultural center of Europe for 400 years. Painting, architecture, sculpture, literature, music, philosophy, science and exploration would propel a wave of new ideas that would ripple across Europe for decades. Later in the 18th & 19 centuries Florence would fall under the rule of Austria and then France. Went it unified with Italy it became the capitol from 1865-1871. It’s beauty is dominated by its Florentine architecture, especially Brunelleschi’s dome on the Duomo. It is because of it’s rich cultural history Florence has become one of the most desired cities in the world to visit.
Regions of Florence…
Bellosguardo
Campo di Marte
Castello
Centro storico (Old Historic center)
Isolotto-Legnaia
Novoli
Rifredi
San Nicoló
Santo Spirito
Statuto
Points of Interests in Florence…
Name | Type | Class | Area | District |
---|---|---|---|---|
Amerigo Vespucci | Transportation | Airport | Castello | |
Piazza della Republica | Landmark | City Square | Centro Storico | |
Firenze Santa Maria Novella | Transportation | Train Station | Centro Storico | |
Archaeological Museum | Museum | Archaeology | Centro Storico | |
Baptistery | Landmark-Religious | Baptism Bldg | Centro Storico | |
Bargello | Museum | Art | Centro Storico | |
Boboli Gardens | Natural | Gardens | Arno South Bank | Bellosguardo |
Galleria degli Uffizi | Museum | Art | Centro Storico | |
Galleria dell’Accademia | Museum | Art | Centro Storico | |
Giotto’s Tower | Landmark | Bell Tower | Centro Storico | |
Great Synagogue and Jewish Museum of Florence | Landmark-Religious | Synagogue | Centro Storico | |
Impruneta’s Spa | Leisure | Spa | Terme di Firenze | |
Loggia dei Lanzi | Museum | Sulpture | Centro Storico | |
Museo dell’Opera del Duom | Museum | Art | Centro Storico | |
Museo Galileo | Museum | Science History | Centro Storico | |
Museo Horne | Museum | Art | Centro Storico | |
Museo Marini | Museum | Art Sculpture | Centro Storico | |
Museo Novecento | Museum | Art | Centro Storico | |
Museo Stefano Bardini | Museum / Natural | Gardens | Arno South Bank | Bellosguardo |
Natural History Museum | Museum | History | Centro Storico | |
Orsanmichele | Landmark-Religious | Church | Centro Storico | |
Palazzo Davanzati | Landmark | House | Centro Storico | |
Palazzo PItti | Landmark | Palace | Arno South Bank | Bellosguardo |
Palazzo Vecchio | Landmark | City Hall | Centro Storico | |
Piazza del Duomo | Landmark | City Square | Centro Storico | |
Piazza della Signoria | Landmark | City Square | Centro Storico | |
Piazzale Michelangelo | Landmark | Plaza | Arno South Bank | San Niccolò |
Ponte Vecchio | Landmark | Bridge | Centro Storico | |
San Lorenzo | Landmark-Religious | Church | Centro Storico | |
San Marco Convent | Landmark-Religious | Convent | Centro Storico | |
San Miniato al Monte | Landmark-Religious | Church | Arno South Bank | San Niccolò |
Santa Croce | Landmark-Religious | Church | Centro Storico | |
Santa Felicita | Landmark-Religious | Church | Arno South Bank | Bellosguardo |
Santa Maria del Carmine | Landmark-Religious | Church | Centro Storico | Bellosguardo |
Santa Maria del Fiore | Landmark-Religious | Cathederal | Centro Storico | |
Santa Maria Novella | Landmark-Religious | Basilica | Centro Storico | |
Stibbert Museum | Museum | Military | Statuto |
Day Trips from Florence…
- Arrezo
- Bologna
- Chianti wine region
- Cinque Terra 🏛
- Cortona
- Greve
- Lucca
- Montalcino
- Montepulcino
- Pienza 🏛
- Pisa 🏛
- Portovenere
- Ravenna 🏛
- Rome 🏛
- San Gimignano 🏛
- Siena 🏛
- Volterra
- Val d’Orcia 🏛
Transportation in Florence…
✈️ Airports
Florence has two choices with airports. Amerigo Vespucci International Airport is Florence’s own airport. Pisa International a larger airport and sometimes a better option.
FLR Florence Amerigo Vespucci International Airport – This airport has limited flights and connections that may not work with your travel agenda. Located 4 km northwest of the city. A Volainbus shuttle runs between SMN station and the airport. Also local bus service and Prato bus which runs from the CAP bus stop across from SMN Station.
PSA Pisa-Galileo Galilei International Airport – This airport has a better selection of flights and connections. Located 2 km south of Pisa or 85 km from Florence. Direct buses depart from Piazzale Montelungo bus terminal across from SMN train station in Florence to Pisa airport.
🚊 Public Transportation
Suburban Train: Trenitalia
Florence Train Stations
Santa Maria Novella – Is the main station in the city center. Most international & high speed trains leave and depart from here.
Firenze Campo di Marte station- All regional trains going south form Santa Maria Novella stop here.
Firenze Rifredi station – Regional trains stop here and it links lines with trains to Viareggio, Pisa and Livorno.
Light Rail / Tram: ATAF
T1 line, Villa Costanza ↔︎ Careggi-Ospedale
T2 line, Santa Maria Novella railway station ↔︎ Aerpoorto Peretola
City Bus: ATAF (bus route map)
76 routes (+4 city center routes, +4 night routes)
Bicycle: Mobike
Transit Cards / Passes: Firenzecard