Interesting about Florence. Interesting facts about Florence for travel lovers. Holidays in Florence

Florence annually attracts about 10 million tourists. Tourists come here not only to look at the architecture of the city and works of art, but also to visit the city of famous creators. This city has been a guiding star in Europe for centuries, a symbol of modernity and perfection. We present ten interesting facts that only confirm the importance of Florence in Europe and the world.

1.According to the UNESCO world organization, a third of the world's art treasures have been accumulated in Florence!

Photo taken by 123rf.com.

2. The modern spirit of the city is also betrayed by the fact that in 1339 Florence became the first city in Europe with cobbled streets.

3. On April 15, 1452, one of the greatest inventors and artists, Leonardo da Vinci, was born in the vicinity of Florence. Many other prominent artists and scientists were born in the city. For example, two years after the birth of Leonardo da Vinci, the explorer and navigator Amerigo Vespucci was born, after whom America is named.

4. A fairy tale character - a wooden boy Pinocchio, whose nose grew when he lied, came from Florence. The book Le Avventure di Pinocchio was first printed by the Florentine Carlo Lorenzini between 1881 and 1883.

5. During the reign of Pietro Leopoldo in 1786, Tuscany and its center of Florence became the first modern European state to abolish torture and the death penalty.

Photo taken by Florian Hirzinger - wikimedia.org.

6. Construction cathedral Il Duomo in Florence dragged on for 140 years. One of the most impressive buildings in the world, which began to be built in 1296, was completed only in 1436.

7. During the Second World War, Florence was destroyed several times by the Germans. They blew up all the bridges, except for the famous Ponte Vecchio, which seemed too beautiful to Hitler to destroy it.

Photo taken by 123rf.com.

8. The instrument on which many beautiful pieces of music are created - the piano - was also invented in Florence. It was improved by Bartolomeo Cristofori in 1700-1720.

9. The Uffizi Gallery has the largest collection of Renaissance art in the world. Most of the works of the XVI-XVII centuries were collected by the famous and influential Medici family.

10. The city was flooded twice. The most interesting thing is that both floods in 1933 and in 1966 occurred in Florence on November 4th.

Florence is one of the most beautiful and most popular tourist cities in the world. For those who have not yet been lucky enough to visit this amazing place, we have prepared a motivating selection of the main reasons for the visit.

The fact that it is the most famous bridge in Florence, says its very name. The history of the Old Bridge (so translated from the Italian Ponte Vecchio) began in 1345. Then, thanks to the efforts of the architect Neri di Fioravanti, the city acquired an unusual technical solution to many everyday problems. Ponte Vecchio is not only a communication that connected the banks of the Arno River, but also one of the most non-standard urban markets. True, it was not always popular among visiting foreigners: in the 15th century, in this corner, then remote from residential buildings, there was the most foul-smelling market - a meat market. But over time, the “fragrant” merchants were replaced by respectable gold merchants, and on the most picturesque and photogenic of the viaducts in Tuscany, the Vasari corridor appeared - a very important passage for the pearl of Italian architecture that connected the Pitti Palace with the Uffizi Gallery. The Old Bridge is also remarkable for many: here, for example, the concept of “bankruptcy” was born and the largest collection of self-portraits in the world is kept.

Historians say: life in Signoria Square was in full swing even in the days of ancient rome. But time is inexorable: where baths, workshops and theaters used to be located, luxurious palazzos have grown, and the ancient forum has become the center of the political life of Florence. Piazza della Signoria saw many events: here, in the fire of the “Bonfire of the Vanities”, thousands of books and musical instruments objectionable to Savonarola disappeared, and soon the ruthless dictator himself lost his life. Each building has its own history. Commercial battles were decided in the Commercial Court, the government was based in the Palazzo Vecchio, and the city authorities broadcast from the Loggia dei Lanza, which became an exhibition platform for exhibits of the Uffizi Gallery. Hardly anywhere on the planet there is such a concentration of works of art, magnificent sculptures, born as a result of the political ambitions of the Medici. It is simply impossible to fit into one frame Hercules Bandinelli, the fountain of Neptune created by Ammannati, the statue of Cosimo the First on horseback and the famous David by Michelangelo, installed in the square as a demonstration of the strength and greatness of the Medici dynasty, it is simply impossible - this must be seen with your own eyes.

Photo: vlasshole.users.photofile.ru

Florence is one of the most popular tourist cities in Italy, which can offer guests a huge amount of free entertainment and places worth visiting. Due to historical and cultural features, a walk in Florence can become one of the most vivid memories during your visit to Italy. A lot of beautiful buildings and squares truly turned Florence into a real open-air museum.

About how to avoid queues and save time when visiting the most famous places in the city, BlogoItaliano has already written in a special review. Now we will tell you about those places that you can see for free.

Signoria Square

The most famous square of Florence is the heart of the historical center and an exhibition of sculptures in the open air at the same time. The Loggia della Signoria houses many famous statues, including Michelangelo's copy of David.

Perseus with the Head of Medusa at Piazza della Signoria in Florence

The square has been the political center of Florence since the Middle Ages, as the ancient City Hall located here reminds of. Also on Piazza della Signoria there is a very beautiful fountain.

Piazza del Duomo – Cathedral Square

Most famous place in Florence - this is hers. A huge building in the Gothic style, the exterior is made of green, pink and white marble with impressive doors and interesting statues. Entrance to the cathedral is free.

The most famous landmark of Florence is the main cathedral of the city.

The Baptistery located here dates back to the 11th century, which makes it one of the most ancient buildings in Florence. Its exterior is made of green and white marble, and the building itself has three sets of bronze doors of amazing work (reproductions - originals in the Duomo Museum).

Also on the square is the famous bell tower: almost 100 meters high, it allows you to enjoy an exceptional view of both the Cathedral itself and the entire city.

Ponte Vecchio - old bridge

Florence is the embodiment of the spirit of the Renaissance, a city-architectural masterpiece and the birthplace of great creators who forever imprinted their names in the memory of mankind. Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, Niccolò Donatello, Dante Alighieri, Benvenuto Cellini - all these brilliant masters lived and created their immortal masterpieces in Florence.

The city is surrounded by magnificent landscapes of Tuscany, the best works of art are exhibited in Florentine museums, and opera singers perform in medieval squares. Florence inspires and enchants - no tourist remains indifferent to its beauties. Florence is called the "city of flowers", which bloomed its beautiful petals among the picturesque plains and hills of Italy.

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What to see and where to go in Florence?

The most interesting and Beautiful places for walks. Photos and a short description.

Luxurious and graceful cathedral, a real architectural marvel that has adorned Florence for several centuries. The construction of the temple lasted several centuries under the guidance of such renowned architects as Giotto di Bondone, Francesco Talenti, Giovanni di Lappo Ghini and others. The vaults of the cathedral are decorated with frescoes of the 15th century, the incredible beauty of the facade is decorated with marble bas-reliefs, the red dome of the cathedral seems to be hovering over the city.

Octagonal marble building of the XI-XII century, intended for baptism. Representatives of the powerful Medici family and the great Dante accepted the Christian faith here. The building is decorated with bas-reliefs, which Byzantine masters worked on. The eastern gate of the baptistery attracts the most attention of tourists, where scenes from the Bible are depicted on gilded panels.

The bell tower is part of the architectural complex of the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore. This is an outstanding example of Italian architectural art, created with the participation of the master Giotto di Bondone. His name is immortalized in the name of the campanile. The tower reaches a height of 84 meters, on the upper tier there is Observation deck, from where the panorama of Florence opens up to the tourist's gaze. More than 400 steps lead to the platform.

Basilica of the XIII century, a classic monument of Italian Gothic. It is assumed that the architect Arnolfo di Cambio began work on the construction of the temple. According to legend, on the site of the basilica there was a chapel built by St. Francis of Assisi. The interior is decorated with works of art of the XIV-XV centuries. There are works by Giotto, Benedetto de Maiano, Donatello, Giovanni da Milano, Bernardo Rossellino. The basilica belongs to the Franciscan Order.

An architectural monument of the 15th century, built in the style of the early Renaissance. The temple contains the tombs of representatives of the Medici family. During the heyday of this influential Florentine family, the Basilica of San Lorenzo was the parish church of the Medici. Near the main altar is the tomb of the founder of the dynasty, Cosimo the Elder. At the basilica there is a monastery and the Laurentian library.

The main Dominican church of Florence, an architectural monument of the XIII-XIV centuries. Previously, this place was a Romanesque chapel, which was placed at the disposal of the monks of the Dominican Order. The basilica is decorated with an openwork facade, a bit reminiscent of a painting on a decorative box. The interior space is decorated with Greek frescoes and marble bas-reliefs. In the basilica, the action of the "Decameron" by D. Boccaccio begins.

The monastery, which in the XIV century passed to the Dominican order from the Congregation of the Sylvesterians of St. Benedict at the behest of the ruler of Tuscany (the Benedictines did not manage the economy well enough). It is believed that the monastery arose in the XII century. In the second half of the 19th century, the National Museum of San Marco was created in the monastery. The collections of this museum contain priceless exhibits of the creators of the Renaissance.

The very first European Academy of Painting, founded in 1561 with the participation and full support of Duke Cosimo I of Medici. Agnolo Bronzino, Giorgio Vasari and Bartolomeo Ammanati stood at the origins of the academy. An art gallery is open at the institution, where outstanding works of art are exhibited. Among them is the famous "David" by Michelangelo. This five-meter statue is one of the symbols of the Renaissance.

The museum, which is located in a historic building of the XIII century. The building is a real medieval castle. In past centuries, a prison, a barracks, a judge's residence, and a city magistrate were located here. The collection of the Bargello Museum is considered one of the most important in all of Italy. The works of B. Cellini, Michelangelo, Giambologna and other famous masters are kept here.

Donte Alighieri is a famous poet, politician, creator of the immortal "Divine Comedy" and one of the founders of the Italian language. The ancient stone house of a genius in one of the oldest Florentine quarters has been turned into a museum named after him. The exposition tells about the life of Dante and his creative path. The museum has many paintings depicting Florence in the 14th century.

The palace of the late XIII - early XIV centuries, which houses the city municipality. The rulers of the Republic of Florence and the Duchy of Tuscany have sat here for centuries. The building is crowned with a tower 94 meters high, named after the master Arnolfo di Cambio. The Palazzo has survived to this day in its original form. The rich interior decoration is the merit of the court architect of the Medici family, master D. Vasari.

The palace, built for the Pitti family in the 15th century in the gloomy Quattroceto architectural style (one of the trends of the Early Renaissance). It currently houses one of the best museums in Florence. Rather, on the territory of the Palazzo Pitti there are several different expositions: the Palatina Gallery, the Silver Museum, the Costume Gallery, the Porcelain Museum, the Museum of Modern Art.

For many centuries the palace was the main residence of the Medici - the ruling family of Florence. The dynasty came from the banker Cosimo the Elder, who achieved such a high position thanks to his money and influence. In the middle of the 15th century, a magnificent palazzo was built for the newly-made ruler. In the 17th century, the building was sold to the Riccardi family, who worked on its expansion and renovation in the Renaissance style.

Florentine Square, from where the best panorama of the city opens. Because of this, it is always crowded and noisy. The square was created in the XIX century during a large-scale reconstruction of Florence. The name was given in honor of the unsurpassed creator Michelangelo. In 1873, a copy of the sculpture "David" by Michelangelo and four more copies of the creations of this famous Renaissance sculptor were installed on the square.

The historic center and one of the most beautiful squares in all of Italy. The area is a harmonious architectural ensemble, which includes the Palazzo Vecchio, the Fountain of Neptune, the Loggia of Lanzi and several sculptural groups. Even in ancient times, there was a crossroads of important roads, there was a Roman amphitheater and ancient villas. But these buildings have not survived to this day.

One of the most famous art museums in the world. The cultural value of the Gallery for all Mankind is difficult to overestimate - the masterpieces of Botticelli, Giotto, Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael, Caravaggio are kept here. Under Cosimo I of the Medici dynasty, the Uffizi housed administrative buildings, but over time, an impressive collection of works of art accumulated inside. In the 18th century, it was decided to open a public museum on the territory.

Covered archway across the Arno River that connects Palazzo Pitti and Palazzo Vecchio. It was built by the will of Francesco I de' Medici. Through this corridor, the ruler could quickly cross the river without having to go outside. The passage is decorated with paintings by Titian, da Vinci, Giotto and several hundred more works by masters of the 16th-17th centuries. Today, a walk through the Vasari is possible only for a fee.

Crossing over the Arno River, which was built in the days of Ancient Rome. Over the past centuries, the bridge has been repeatedly destroyed, washed away and rebuilt. In the 15th century, the Florentine meat market worked here, because of which a bad smell spread throughout the surroundings. Now on Ponte Vecchio, the place of butcher shops has been taken by expensive jewelry boutiques for tourists. The bridge itself is part of the Vasari Corridor.

In the 16th century, the hunting grounds of the Medici family were located on the site of the park. At the beginning of the 19th century, the territory was opened to the public, and later the park was sold to the city authorities. Since then, Cascine has become a popular holiday destination for Florentines. It is equipped with bicycle and pedestrian paths, signs, picnic areas and other infrastructure. Entrance is free for everyone.

Landscape park complex, lavishly decorated with fountains, gazebos and flower beds. The gardens were founded in the 15th century at the request of the wife of Cosimo I de Medici, Duchess Eleonora of Toledo. Over the centuries, the Boboli Gardens have changed owners several times. Each noble family that acquired these territories sought to contribute to the landscape of the park complex.

One of the most famous and most beautiful cities in the world is Florence. This Italian city has given the world many of the world's greatest creative artists. Narrow streets, ancient bridges and medieval squares of Florence create its unique style.

So, 10 interesting facts about this unique city.

1. The most important world monuments of architectural, monumental and artistic art are concentrated in Florence. The historical center is included in the List of objects world heritage UNESCO. A guide in Florence Irina Terpugova will help you to get acquainted with all this splendor, http://irina1968.ru/ - her website.

2. Santa Maria del Fiore - the symbol of the city, the famous cathedral 90 meters high. Climbing the stairs of 463 steps, you can admire the magnificent view of Florence.

3. There are many galleries, museums, exhibition halls in Florence. One of the oldest museums in the world is the Uffizi Gallery, where you can contemplate the creations of Leonardo da Vinci, Rubens, Michelangelo, and other outstanding artists.

4. In this Italian city, the famous sister of mercy Florence Nightingale was born, who founded the nursing business. International Nurse's Day was established on May 12, the day she was born.

5. The famous Piazza della Signoria is home to the Gucci Museum in a 14th-century building. It was in Florence that Guccio Gucci founded his fashion house, which has become a multi-billion dollar brand today.

6. In Florence, several copies of the famous statue of David were installed: in Piazza della Signoria and a bronze copy in Piazzale Michelangelo.

7. The Ponte Vecchio Bridge was called the "Golden Bridge" because of the numerous jewelry shops located on it. Jewelry is very popular among tourists.

8. In order to preserve the historical appearance and reduce air pollution in the central area of ​​the city, ecological transport is widely used. Small-sized electric buses easily maneuver through narrow streets.

9. On one of the buildings central square Florence, Santa Croce, a sign is installed, which is the water level mark of the severe flood of 1966.

10. On one of the Florentine streets there is an ecological Replay Store. Its uniqueness lies in the fact that the walls of the boutique are decorated with live tropical plants, and clothes are lost among the green, fragrant garden.

Florence has been a center of artistic pilgrimage for art connoisseurs for many years. Thanks to its rich centuries-old history, a huge number of attractions, it is an inexhaustible source of interesting facts.