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Info Florence and Province
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The City of Florence
Renowned for its wealth of art and architecture
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The Province of Florence
Art, folklore, culture and tradition
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Information: Florence and Province |
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Menu
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To obtain a list of holiday accommodation available in this region of Tuscany please refer to the link below:
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For more information on events, folklore and festivities throughout Tuscany please refer to the link below:
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The City of Florence |
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Renowned for its wealth of art, architecture and culture.
Florence has been famous for centuries as one of the principle centres of art and learning in Italy. In the later Middle Ages and the early Renaissance it was the intellectual capital, well meriting its designation, the Italian Athens'. The city remains a treasury of art, not only on account of the priceless collections in its museums and galleries, but also by virtue of its rich endowment of medieval monuments and Renaissance buildings, in which it is rivalled by Rome alone.
Today Florence is still one of the most beautiful cities in Italy and the historical centre and the hills in the immediate vicinity have been largely preserved from new buildings. It lies in a delightful position in a small basin enclosed by low hills (which accounts for its changeable climate and high temperatures in summer), and surrounded by spectacular Tuscan countryside. At the hub of the city stands the impressive "Duomo Santa Maria del Fiore", the cathedral dedicated to the Madonna of Florence, Santa Maria del Fiore, and Europe's fourth largest church. Built by Brunelleschi, the cathedral fills the Piazza del Duomo and produces a memorable effect of massive grandeur, especially seen from its southern flank, lightened by the colour and pattern of its beautiful marble walls (white from Carrara, green from Prato, and red from the Maremma). The famous and majestic "Cupola" dome, one of the masterpieces of the Renaissance and the greatest of all Brunelleschi's works, rising to the height of the surrounding hills (from which it is nearly always visible), holds sway over the whole city. The Baptistery, "Battisterio San Giovanni", belonging to the cathedral, is one of the oldest and most revered buildings in the city, probably built in the 6C or 7C. In the 11C-12C the exterior was entirely encased in white and green marble from Prato in a classical geometrical design, which became a prototype for numerous other Tuscan Romanesque religious buildings.
Other famous sights in Florence include the "Museo dell Opera dell Duomo", one of the pleasantest museums in the city containing material from the Duomo, the Baptistery and important sculptures, the "Galeria degli Uffizi" , with the most important collection of paintings in Italy and one of the great art collections of the world, and the famous bridge over the Arno, "Ponte Vecchio", lined with quaint medieval-looking houses. The sights are all centrally located and within easy reach on foot ! Just a stroll from the main railway station through the city along meandering, cobbled lanes which lead to the Piazza della Signoria and its famous Palazzo Vecchio, the town hall of Florence, and onto the "Ponte Vecchio", demonstrates the wealth of art and architecture in Florence and undoubtedly provided the inspiration of the many famous artists such as Michelangelo, Tiziano and Botticelli whose paintings, works and masterpieces are displayed in museums and churches throughout the city. The Galleria dell' Accademia delle Belle Arti is visited above all for its famous works by Michelangelo, including the famous "David" sculpture, but also contains an important collection of Florentine paintings.
On the culinary side Florence has much to offer, traditional coffee houses, cafes, trattorias, pasticcerias etc. and for shoppers a paradise too, especially for leather goods.
Annual festivals and exhibitions in Florence:
"Calcio in Costume"
A medieval mix between rugby and football - takes place annually in June on the "Piazza Santa Croce" in honour of the patron saint of Florence, "San Giovanni". Teams from the various historical quarters of the city dress in medieval costumes and take part in a somewhat rather turbulent and violent tournament over several days providing enormous entertainment and well worth watching !
"Scoppio del Carro"
Dates back to 12C. A traditional religious festival held in and outside the Duomo on Easter Sunday at mid-day. A white ox decorated with colourful streamers pulls a gigantic wooden cart from Via del Prato to the Piazza del Duomo, escorted by folk in traditional and historical costumes. After mass at 11 am, a rocket is set off which lights the fireworks on the wooden cart producing a spectacular display.
"Rificolona"
The largest harvest festival and autumn market takes place annually on the "Piazza Santissima Annunziata", also the first ever BIO/organic market to take place in Italy. Not to be missed-Buon Appetito! Especially delightful is the evening of the 7th September when children parade through the streets of Florence with their homemade lanterns (ital. Rificolona). A truly magical atmosphere !
"Festa di San Giovanni"
On the 24 June is,"Fiesta di San Giovanni", St John's Day, the patron saint of Florence. .A local holiday is celebrated with fireworks at Piazzale Michelangelo. For many a highlight of the year in the city's calendar. The final of the "Calcio Costume" (Football-rugby) is also played on this date.
Gift market
A gift market takes place twice a year on "Basso" ("Fortezza di San Giovanni"). The organisers responsible are especially proud that the most prominent and refined designers of gifts and presents, as well as experts, join together to take part.
Florence Biannual
Every two years in December, Florence holds a large exhibition for young artists ( of all types of art, craft and design) to present their artistic work and craftsmanship. An opportunity not to be missed for discovering new talent !
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San Casciano and Greve in Chianti
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Smaller towns such as San Casciano and Greve in Chianti also have very interesting churches and are important centres of the wine trade. Naturally they are surrounded by some of the most stunning and typical enchanting landscape of Tuscany with long lines of towering cypress trees, rolling vineyards and olive groves.
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Fiesole
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Fiesole is a little town in a magnificent position on a thickly wooded hill overlooking the valleys of the Arno and the Mugnone. It has always been a fashionable residential district with fine villas and gardens and stately cypress groves. An Etruscan city, its foundation preceded that of Florence by many centuries, and, with its own local government, it is still proudly independent of the larger city. It is popular with Florentines and visitors in summer when its position makes it one of the coolest places in the neighbourhood of the city. Sights include the roman theatre, archaeological excavations, museum, the "Galluzzo" monastery set on a picturesque hill, the "Villa Medicea della Petraia , a romantic villa ,once a castle of the Brunelleschi, rebuilt for the grand-duke Ferdinando I de Medici with a pretty garden and moat which precede the villa and which still preserves a tower of the old castle. The villa contains decorative baroque frescoes illustrating the history of the Medici family.
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The Town of Prato
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Famous for textiles and locally produced biscuits and pastries.
Cantucci, is the delicious almond pastry biscuit which originates from Prato. Antonio Mattei was the creator of this local speciality that has become very popular far beyond the borders of Italy. The original recipe is still used today in Prato and is especially delicious when accompanied with a glass of "Vino Santo" !!
The other famous side of Prato is its textile industry. Textile factories continue to flourish, and it has become the centre of the 'rag-trade' in Europe. On the outskirts of town is the "Museo des Tessuto" which contains a collection of textiles from the 5C A.D. to the present (including examples of embroidery, tapestry, lace, velvet, and damask), a display of looms, etc.
Prato preserves some beautiful monuments within its old town walls. The old town is dominated by the"Castello dell`Imperatore", probably built in 1237-48 to protect Frederick II's route from Germany to Southern Italy, and is typical of the Hohenstaufen castles of the south. The walkway around the ramparts provides a good view of the city and countryside. Concerts and plays are held here in the summer. In the adjoining piazza stands the church of "Santa Maria delle Carceri", a masterpiece of the early Renaissance. On the spacious Piazza Del Duomo stands the "Duomo Santo Stefano", with its green and white striped marble façade and decorated with paintings and celebrated frescoes by Filippo Lippi including one of the most beautiful fresco cycles of the early Renaissance (1452-66).
The town, with its sights and monuments, can be visited quite easily on foot and there are many traditional cafes, pizzerias and bakeries for shorter or longer breaks in between.
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Chianti-Classico Region
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The Chianti Classico wine-growing region covers an area of approximately 100 square miles (259 square kilometers) between the city of Florence to the north and Siena to the south. The four communes of Castellina in Chianti, Gaiole in Chianti, Greve in Chianti and Radda in Chianti are located entirely within the boundaries of the Classico region with parts of Barberino Val d'Elsa, San Casciano in Val di Pesa and Tavarnelle Val di Pesa in the province of Florence as well as Castelnuovo Berardenga and Poggibonsi in the province of Siena included within the permitted boundaries of Chianti Classico.
Greve in Chianti (Province Florence)
Greve is the principal town in the Chianti wine district which stretches south of Florence to just north of Siena. Every year on second weekend of September is the Chianti Classico wine festival. Local merchants display their products, and wine tasting is offered for free. Olive Oil is also available for tasting, served on fresh sliced Italian bread and local cheeses are also available. The town of Greve's busy quaintness and the lushness and diversity of the undulating landscape which surrounds it, have long attracted tourists and travelers. The current flow of tourism to the area is fully integrated with viniculture, wine-making and various related enterprises to form a highly integrated and highly productive local economy. Tourist attractions include the triangular main piazza fronted by numerous medieval aged buildings, including the 11th century Chiesa Santa Croce which was rebuilt in 1325 after being burned to the ground, along with the rest of the town, and the Franciscan monastery which is also still at the heart of the old part of the city. Every Saturday there is a market which has been running more or less continuously for centuries serving the nearby castle communities and hamlets. There are several enotecas in Greve where you can taste and purchase wine, for example the „Enotexa del Chianti Classico – Gallo Nero“ on Piazza Matteotti or
„Le Cantine“ on the Piazza delle Cantine.
Castellina in Chianti (Province Siena)
Castellina lies in the centre of the Chianti region and is located just south of Greve, about 35 km south of Florence and about 15 km northwest of Siena.
It is situated in the Chianti Hills, between the valleys of the Arbia, Pesa and Elsa rivers. Of interest is the massive Rocca (castle), with a huge 14th century tower. It houses a small Etruscan museum. Also the Via delle Volte underground tunnel around the city, offers breathtaking panoramic views. Walking through the small town you will notice many historical buildings that belonged to Florentine and Senese aristocracy. The Church of S. Salvatore merits a visit; rebuilt after the Second World War, the church displays a beautiful late 14th century fresco by a Tuscan master. We also recommend the Archeological Museum of Chianti Senese where many archeological findings from the Chianti region, and particularly Etruscan findings from Montecalvario, are displayed.
Radda in Chianti (Province Siena)
Even today Radda preserves its original medieval look. The ancient walls still defend the center, today filled with maze-like streets. The Palazzo del Podestà overlooks the main square together with the Romanesque Church of S. Niccolò. The Palazzo was the headquarters of the League of Chianti for over four centuries, as confirmed by the many coats of arms on its facade. Just outside the center stands the ancient Franciscan Cloister of S. Maria in Prato. Despite tourism with many visitors to the town, Radda
has maintained its medieval charm and its enjoyable to wander around its medieval streets, drinking a glass of wine while looking at the spectacular panorama of the vineyard covered hills that surround the town.
Gaiole in Chianti (Province Siena)
Not far from Radda is Gaiole in Chianti, another town dating back to the Middle Ages. Gaiole was an important market place for the castles in the surroundings because of its position between Chianti and the Valdarno (Valley of the Arno river). Gaiole is still an important point of interest in this area.
In and around the town there are several farmhouses, wine shops and wineries perfect for Chianti wine tasting.
Panzano in Chianti (Province Florence)
Panzano is the most populous town in Chianti and sits just a few kilometers south of Greve. Since the 12th century, Panzano played an important defensive role for Florence and its county. The Castle of Panzano was a fundamental bulwark for defending the Florentine Republic during the battles between Florence and Siena. The castle's structure can be still recognized within the older section of town including the Church of S. Maria which dates back from 1200 even if it was completely rebuilt in the 1800s in Neoclassical style. Very pleasant indeed to wander through the old town, soaking the atmosphere of times gone by and sitting in the main square drinking a glass of Chianti wine. There are several wine bars and restaurants in Panzano that offer wine tasting while a popular place to visit is the "Antica Macelleria Cecchini", a butcher shop famous for its Florentine steak where the owner recites passages from Dante's Divine Comedy while serving customers..
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To obtain a list of holiday accommodation available in this region of Tuscany please refer to the link below:
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For more information on events, folklore and festivities throughout Tuscany please refer to the link below:
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Holiday accommodation booking agency featuring individually selected holiday accommodation
in Tuscany and Umbria.
We act on behalf of local property owners as agent between
owner and customer in a reservation and contract arrangement.
Copyright 2004-2013 © Elisa Santoni Internet Travel Agency
Sondermeierstr. 110 D-80939 München
+49 89 12392998 +49 160 7372215
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