Florence is the history of the city. Florence: Geography, Climate and History. Attractions, tourism and recreation of Florence. Transport links in Florence

The founding date of Florence is traditionally considered to be 59 BC. e., when in the valley of the Arno River was founded a village for veteran legionnaires of the army of Julius Caesar. According to legend, this happened in the spring, during the festivities of the goddess of flowers Flora, who personifies the spring awakening of nature. The city owes its name to her.

In the Roman period, buildings characteristic of that time were erected here - baths, an amphitheater, an aqueduct. Until now, in the central part of the city, around the former Forum (today Republic Square), the rectangular layout of streets typical for the Romans has been preserved. By the end of the 2nd century, Florence had become a full-fledged city, where the headquarters of the commander of the legion that controlled the region of all modern Tuscany was located. The god of war, Mars, was considered the patron saint of the city.

Christianity was established here in the 4th century. Florence became an archdiocese, and the cult of Mars gave way to the worship of John the Baptist, the new patron of the city.

In the 5th century, Florence was invaded by the Ostrogoths, and from 570 to 774, the Lombard Germans ruled the lands of Tuscany. Their rulers chose Lucca for their residence, and Florence temporarily receded into the shadows. In 744, King of the Franks Charlemagne conquered the Lombard Kingdom, and a little later, the Tuscan Margrave was founded on these lands, formally part of the Holy Roman Empire.

At the beginning of the 12th century, taking advantage of the aggravation of the conflict between the pope and the emperor, the Florentine nobility took the fate of the city into their own hands, establishing self-government. In 1183, Emperor Frederick Barbarossa was forced to officially recognize the city's municipal autonomy. Florence gradually began to seize the surrounding territories, starting with the city of Fiesole. In the 15th century, she conquered Pisa, gaining access to the sea, and in the 16th century, the resistance of Siena was broken. Some Tuscan cities and territories were not conquered by rich Florence, but simply bought up.

Florence owes its transformation from a small town to a thriving city-state to the wool trade. The wool merchants' guild in Florence ("Arte della Lana") exported wool from Northern Europe and dyes are from the Middle East. Using their own secrets of weaving and dyeing, the Florentines produced heavy red garments and sold them throughout the Mediterranean. Huge revenues laid the foundations for banking in Florence, which eventually became the financial capital of Europe. Gold florins - money that was minted here, at that time was the international European currency.

The wealthy of Florence manipulated the government with the help of the Guelph party (supporters of the pope), which was in confrontation with the Ghibellines (supporters of the emperor). The history of this confrontation is captured in the works of Dante, Machiavelli, Shakespeare. In the 15th century in Florence, the struggle between them intensified, and wealthy merchants brought to power a man from their class - Cosimo Medici. His descendants ruled Florence until the 18th century. The city's "golden age" during the Renaissance and the end of republican rule are also associated with the Medici. In 1569, Florence, overgrown with the lands of neighboring cities, became the capital of the Grand Duchy of Tuscany.

In 1737, the hereditary ducal line of the Medici was cut short, and Tuscany passed into the hands of the Habsburgs. During the Napoleonic wars, Florence had the status of the capital of the Kingdom of Etruria formed on the territory of Tuscany, which became one of the provinces of France. In 1814, Tuscany returned to the rule of the Habsburgs.

In 1860, at a general plebiscite, the Florentines supported the movement for the reunification of all Italian lands. At the final stage of the risorgimento (national liberation struggle), from 1865 to 1870, Florence was the capital of Italy. This period had an ambiguous effect on its appearance: some of the historical buildings in the city center were demolished. The end of the 20th century was marked for Florence by the expansion of urban boundaries to the nearest foothills and the emergence of the industrial region of Rifredi.

In 1944, during the period of hostilities, when the front passed along the Arno River, the city was repeatedly bombed. In addition, while retreating, German troops blew up all the bridges, with the exception of Ponte Vecchio, who was saved. A devastating cataclysm happened in Florence in 1966, when the city streets were flooded during the flooding of the Arno River, and many works of art were damaged.

Culture

Florence, whose name is inextricably linked with the brilliant Renaissance, also boasts monuments from more ancient times. As early as the 11th century, such magnificent buildings as the baptistery and the church of San Minato al Monte were erected here. These buildings are distinguished from other Romanesque churches in Italy by clear lines of facades and original decor. The Gothic that replaced the Romanesque style in Florence also has its own individual features.

In the 13th century, the local nobility and wealthy merchant families spared no expense to equip the city, wanting to present it and, of course, themselves in a favorable light. The most famous masters of that time began to come here. The most famous of these was Arnolfo di Cambio. The creations of this architect - the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, Palazzo Vecchio, the Church of Santa Croce - still amaze with their beauty and define the entire appearance of the city.

A contemporary of Arnolfo di Cambio was the painter Cimabue, in whose works the plasticity of the figures was distinguished by extraordinary grace, which was new for that time, because the artists were strongly influenced by the Byzantine school, which required stylized images. Giotto di Bondone, a great artist and architect, also made an invaluable contribution to the treasury of world art. His innovation consists in the use of halftones, which made it possible to create a volumetric space on the canvas, emphasizing the fullness of life and the beauty of the human body. Thanks to Giotto, painting took the main place in Florence: he and his students painted more paintings in one century than all German and French painters combined.

XV century - the golden age of the Renaissance. Wealthy Florentine families, competing in patronage of art, contributed to its flourishing. The Medici family, ruling here, also played an important role in the prosperity of Florence. The dukes Cosimo I and Lorenzo the Magnificent were especially famous for their love of beauty and patronage. Thus, Cosimo Medici created the first public library in Florence. He patronized scientists, artists and poets. His grandson Lorenzo, who grew up in the kingdom of art worship, surpassed his famous ancestor with his charitable deeds, earning the nickname "Magnificent." He was also distinguished by skillful management. When the politician and thinker Machiavelli wrote the treatise "The Sovereign" the mighty of the world this, he was inspired by the deeds of Duke Lorenzo.

Prominent representatives of the Florentine school of the Renaissance were Filippo Brunelleschi, the creator of the colossal dome of the cathedral and the sculptor Donatello, famous for his psychological gift of insight into the depicted image and knowledge of human anatomy. No less famous are the sculptors Lorenzo Ghiberti, Lucca della Robbia, Andrea del Verrocchio, artists Desiderio da Settignano, Mino da Fiesole, Antonio Rossellino.

The Zenith of the Renaissance in Florence was marked by the works of Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo Buonarroti, Raphael Santi. But the beginning of the decline of the great age of Florence is also associated with these names. Da Vinci left here in 1506 for France, while Raphael and Michelangelo moved to Rome. With the exception of the painting "Adoration of the Magi" Leonardo left almost nothing in Florence. Michelangelo's legacy is more expressive. In Florence, among his other masterpieces, is the famous "David" - the largest marble sculpture since antiquity. Raphael glorified Florence with his series of paintings, called "The Florentine Madonnas".

Giotto's bell tower, named after its creator, rises near the cathedral, although other famous architects also took part in the construction. There are 285 steps leading to the top of this grandiose tower. From here, all of Florence is in full view, and there is a strange feeling of a sense of flight.

To the north is one of the oldest public buildings in Florence - Bargello. Once there was a prison, as well as a place of executions. Today, the building houses the Museum of Sculpture and Applied Arts, which contains the works of Donatello, Michelangelo, Cellini, Giambologna. Dante was born in this area, and it is here that the church of the Bargello Abbey stands, where the poet admired from afar Beatrice, dear to his heart, attending Sunday Mass. Around the corner, on Dante Alighieri Street, is Dante's house, where the poet was born in 1265.

San Lorenzo

This area of ​​Florence, also known as the Medici quarter, is famous for its trade traditions. Here and now a real market gathers every day. It was closed several times, but the old tradition is indestructible - lively trade has not stopped. The market is located right on the square in front of the Church of Saint Lorenzo, which dates back to the 4th century. The Medici dukes patronized this holy monastery, which became almost their own home temple.

Behind the church is the entrance to the Medici Chapel, the tomb of the famous family, for which Michelangelo created two remarkable tombs depicting Night and Day, Dawn and Dusk. The exquisite Michelangelo staircase was erected near San Lorenzo, leading to the Laurenzian library.

In this area, it is also worth exploring the Palazzo Medici Riccardi, a huge yet elegant structure where the Medici lived before their move to Palazzo Vecchio. To the north is the majestic Monastery of San Marco and the eponymous museum.

Florentine cuisine

For all Italians, a meal is a celebration of life, they have retained their attitude to it as a theatrical performance, and even a light snack is accompanied by the appropriate decoration here. The Renaissance era elevated cooking to the rank of art, which was promoted by the Florentine merchants, founding entire gastronomic schools. And today it is a pleasure to while away the evening in a pleasant company in Florence!

It is best to start your acquaintance with the local cuisine with crostini - toasted white bread with the most delicate liver pâté, mushrooms or tomatoes. As the first course (on the menu - "primi piatti") in Florence, they prefer a soup with local characteristics. They like cabbage and other vegetables ribollita with bread flavored with olive oil, as well as pasta e fajoli or papardelle - thick noodle soups with chickpeas or hare ragout sauce. Second courses are usually meat, many of them are prepared from game - hare, wild boar, pheasant. Traditional food - roast rabbit in fat, pork with herbs, cooked in the oven, the famous Florentine steak - a huge piece of beef in the most delicate olive oil, fried over charcoal. Typical side dishes for this meat dish are white beans in tomato sauce and deep-fried tomatoes and herbs. A glass of delicious Chianti wine, which is produced south of Florence, will not be superfluous for lunch.

At the end of the meal, you should order a dessert Tuscan wines santo to dip cantuccini dry almond biscuits into it. And, of course, don't forget to sample the gelato, the Florentine ice cream considered by many to be the most delicious in the world. Weighty fresh home-made sweet balls are sold in special gelateria cafes (about 1.5 € each).

The most popular places here are trattorias, where a hearty lunch will cost 15-18 € per person, a light snack - 5-8 €. Pizzerias and rosticherias are not empty (a grill bar where they gather in the evenings for a drink and an easy snack). You can look into tavola kalda - an analogue of a canteen where you can have a hearty and inexpensive meal.

A meal in a Florentine restaurant located at a distance from the historic center will cost from 40 € per person. The closer to the cathedral square, the higher the prices become. Many atmospheric establishments are located right in the ancient palaces. The famous restaurant in Palazzo Antinori, where this aristocratic family has lived since 1502. It serves exquisite dishes and noble wines from the family cellars. Excellent cuisine and wine list at Enotecca Pinchiorri, located on the ground floor of a 15th century palace. There is also a charming patio with outdoor seating.

Shopping

There are many fashionable shops in Florence selling fashionable clothes. These are both individual boutiques and entire galleries. Excellent designer items can be purchased here, from elegant leather accessories to solid furs. A system of discounts is practiced in trade all year round. In addition, the city has two sales seasons. Summer lasts from July to early September, winter - from January 5 to March 5.

Tourists most often bring from Florence a variety of products with stencils of the most famous sights of the city, cheeses, wine, as well as jewelry: jewelry and costume jewelry. For jewelry, guests of the city, as a rule, go to the Ponte Vecchio bridge. In the local shops and workshops, cute inexpensive pendants and solid old and modern jewelers' creations are on display together.

In search of souvenirs, you can go to the markets. One of them, San Lorenzo, is located in the square of the same name. The second is in Chompi Square, north of Santa Croce. On Sundays, local antique dealers display their goods here: coins, jewelry, paintings, old postcards.

Where to stay

Accommodation prices in Florence are quite high. In the winter season it is still possible to find a room for 45 € per day (3 * hotel), but by May the cost has already increased by 30%. The budget option is hostels, you can stay here for 15-20 € per day per person. It is possible to rent a 2-3-room apartment for 100-120 €.

In Florence, of course, there are also luxurious hotels that are housed in ancient palaces. Among them, the "Four Seasons" stands out, located in Palazzo della Gherardesca - one of the Medici residences. There are magnificent interiors, antique furniture. The hotel is also famous for its huge park. The cost of living is from 350 €.

In the very center of the city "Palazzo Vecchietti" flaunts. There are only 14 rooms in the 16th century building. Coziness and luxury reign here, the interiors are decorated with old paintings. The rooms have a kitchen, coffee machine, refrigerator, dishes. Breakfasts (included in the price) are simply excellent here and are served at a common old table. Accommodation - about 630 € per day.

Villa Cora also belongs to the luxury category. This historic hotel is set in the hills of Florence. It was built in neoclassical style by Baron Oppenheim and is known for its famous guests. There is a calm atmosphere, a luxurious park, a swimming pool. Prices: from 295 to 830 € per room.

Transport

Despite the fact that Florence is quite miniature, and traffic is closed in the historic center, transport links in the city are well developed. Eco-friendly electric buses are the closest to the attractions. You will recognize them by their original appearance and numbers, where C1, C2, C3, D are present.

Florence has a unified ticket system for city buses and trams. A complex ticket for one and a half hours costs 1.20 €. A daily subscription will cost 5 €, a three-day subscription - 12 €, a weekly - 18 €. Travel tickets are sold in newspaper and tobacco kiosks, bars, offices main town transport company ATAF.

Tourists can also purchase a plastic Firenze Card. By paying 72 €, you will get the opportunity to visit 67 museums and free movement around the city by tram or bus for 3 days.

The cost of a taxi ride depends on the mileage (0.10 € per 1 km + landing 3-6 €). It is difficult to stop a taxi on the street, it is better to call a car by phone or go to the parking lot. It makes sense to rent a car only if you want to travel around the outskirts of Florence (from 35 € / day).

Recently, cycle rickshaws have become popular. A 15-minute walk for two will cost you 15 €, 60 minutes - 45 €. Cycle rickshaws have chosen Piazza San Lorenzo. You can also admire Florence from the deck river tram... Motor ships run along the Arno River from April to October.

How to get there

5 km from the center of Florence is located international Airport them. Amerigo Vespucci. There are no direct flights from Russian cities here. You will have to fly with a change in Rome or one of the major European cities.

Comfortable buses run regularly from the airport to the city. Travel time - 20 minutes, cost - 5 €. A taxi ride will cost 20 €.

It is convenient to get from Rome to Florence by regular bus. Travel time - 2.5 hours, cost - 20 €.

Today I would like to tell you about a city that attracts hundreds of thousands of tourists to look at its divine beauty. I would like to talk about how you can have a great vacation and which ones.

Where to stay in Florence

If you have decided to spend your vacation in Florence, in this section you will find a short list of best hotels for your unforgettable vacation in the city of Renaissance.

In fact, there are over 450 hotels in Florence, ready to cater for every need, available for every pocket. Full list hotels can be found on the well-known travel portal Booking.com.

By train

It is also possible to get to Florence by train of the Trenitalia railway company. Trains from major cities in Italy arrive at the city's main train station, Santa Maria Novella, conveniently located in the city center. The next most important train station in Florence is Campo di Marte, where some intercity trains and electric trains arrive.

Once I tried an alcoholic Italian dessert called cantucci con Vin santo. As I was told, this is one of the typical Italian dishes. I do not advise you to get carried away in large quantities. What it looks like: cantucci themselves are brought to you on a plate, which are sweet oblong crackers with nuts, and the wine itself, which is also sweet and very strong. You just soak a crouton in this wine and enjoy.

I was told a story that is directly related to this dish: one foreigner was presented with a pack of these cantuchi (you can buy them in any store) and a bottle as a gift. A couple of days later he is asked if he and his family liked this Italian dish. To which he replied that he felt bad for several days, and he would never eat it again in his life. It turned out that our poor foreigner took a large bowl, poured all the crackers into it, poured a bottle of wine. He took a spoon and began to tuck in countless quantities by both cheeks together with the whole family! As you can see, you need to know when to stop!

... Photo ricette.pourfemme.it

I'll tell you about another simple Tuscan dish: prosciutto con melone. So, you don't need to cook the ham melon! Neatly chopped ham with pieces of melon is served on a plate. Before that, I could never have thought that these things could somehow be used together. I liked it madly!

Prosciutto con melone. Simple and Tuscan! Photo pischeblog.com

Where to eat in Florence?

We bring you the Top 5 Best Restaurants and Bars in Florence (Average Cost) according to traveler reviews on TripAdvisor.

1. All "Antico Vinaio- Via De "Neri 65 / R 74 / R, 50122 Florence, Italy

"In between visits to museums, I was very pleased to plunge into the friendly atmosphere of a Florentine shop. The abundance of delicious smells, Italian flavor, all this created a unique atmosphere of little Italy. In the sandwich, I included the ingredients of my choice and supplemented everything with a glass of red wine. It took time. a little, although people crowded around the shop. If you are in Florence, I recommend that you definitely look here. " (Nina S. St. Petersburg, Russia)

2. I "Pizzacchiere- Via S. Miniato 1/2, 50125 Florence, Italy

"A small establishment with a wonderful pizza. The hostess accepts orders and communicates nicely with clients. Sometimes you have to wait a little outside to take a table, but this one is not at all difficult here. I will definitely come back here again in the city." (pz_90_un, Moscow)

3. Cacio Vino Trallallà- Borgo SS. Apostoli 29R, 50123 Florence, Italy

"A small institution with a wide selection of wines and delicious sandwiches, in the evening it is especially pleasant here" (Villiwein, St. Petersburg)

4. La Prosciutteria- Via dei Neri 54, 50122 Florence, Italy

"Cool restaurant. Italian atmosphere ... Great place to relax and taste Italian wine, delicious prosciutto, different cheeses ... Recommend !!!" (Lusin A)

5. Dal barone- Borgo San Lorenzo 30 / r, 50123 Florence, Italy

"A very refined place, a lot of different dishes that are hard to find in Florence, I especially liked the meat plate with sandwiches and caviar" (Villiwein, St. Petersburg).

How to spend time in Florence? Tourism or study?

It all depends, of course, on what you plan to do on your vacation. I mean, do you like an active and educational lifestyle or prefer a leisurely stroll.

To Florence to study

If you are planning to come there for a language course, the school will help you find a room. There are several options here: you can rent an entire apartment, a room in an apartment where students will also live next door, or live with an Italian family. I think that the latter option is pretty much suitable for all those who go to Italy for the first time, want to get acquainted with the culture and customs, and of course, with Italian cuisine. An Italian family will help you figure out simple questions, for example, where to buy bus tickets, where is the best place to go, in the end, where is the store here, etc.

Florence, photo by Thinkstock

By the way, about grocery stores: you don't need to think that you will find supermarkets in the city center, for example, near the cathedral. As you can imagine, Florence is no different from other European cities, so the shops are located a little further from the historic center. Many Florentines prefer COOP, there is also Billa there.

1. Own passato remoto.
2. Be able to use congiuntivo.
3. Italian pure pronunciation, which, as you can imagine, can be heard in.

I'll tell you, probably, the truth that many of you know: today Italian schoolchildren do not know and do not use passato remoto (in principle, this time is needed only to read works of art), replacing it with passato prossimo.

Oh, this is passato remoto - the storm of modern schoolchildren. Photo ilgur.com

Traveling long and short distances

Put on museums and galleries? Just want to take a walk? I suggest you go to the area. Not far from it is the old city wall - Fortezza. In the summer, around the middle of July, the fortezza celebration begins. What does it mean? Inside the fort there are restaurants, not only with Tuscan cuisine, but also Argentinean, Asian ... The choice is even for the most picky guest. You can also buy a new bag or wallet there. After dinner, you can buy your favorite book (there is a book exhibition there). You can warm up not only spiritually, but also physically by going to dance at a disco.

Fortezza. Holidays are held outside its walls. Photo toscanaviva.com

No, well, what kind of vacation is it without shopping? I will not tell you about the shops, because they are on every street, and you will definitely find what you like!

I also advise you to travel around. To visit, ... Many tourists tend in the summer to those cities where the sea is located nearby. I assure you, it is not so far from Floretia to the sea. Of course, it's worth looking for the perfect spot for an even sea tan. I would advise you to combine a trip to Pisa (look at the leaning tower and Piazza dei Miracoli) with a trip to the sea - you will need to take a couple of bus stops and get to Marina di Pisa. How about heading out to the Chinque Terre and sunbathing on the beaches there?

Marina di Pisa. Smooth sea tan awaits you! comune.pisa.it

During your main stay in Florence, you can also go long distances, for example, in,. You can make your own travel arrangements or take advantage of offers from local travel agencies.

Discover Florence!

Florence is the capital of Tuscany, one of the most beautiful cities in the world, a city-museum. Michelangelo, Boccaccio, Botticelli, Machiavelli, Dante, Da Vinci, Brunelleschi lived and worked here. Masterpieces of architecture, painting and sculpture of the Renaissance form whole ensembles.

Florence (Firenze) is a city in Central Italy, the capital of Tuscany. He is rightfully recognized as one of the the most beautiful cities Europe and proudly carries the epithet "beautiful", "Firenze la Bella". This is where the Renaissance begins. Florence is a true concentration of architectural splendor and a special atmosphere, imbued with the spirit of the creations of Michelangelo and Botticelli.

The city is spread out at the foot of the northern part of the Apennine Mountains and covers an area of ​​102 sq. km. Its population is 377,207 according to the 2013 census. The distance from Rome to Florence is 274 kilometers.

Florence is comfortably located in the southeast of the Florence-Prato-Pistoia plain, on three sides it is protected by low picturesque hills. Residential quarters stretch along the banks of the Arno River, which lazily flows from east to west across Florence.

"Italian Athens" is also called Florence. The city is a museum that has given the world artists and sculptors whose names have become icons in art. Modernity and antiquity in Florence are so harmoniously in touch with each other that one involuntarily feels like a traveler in time, when you see the grandeur of palaces, the solemnity of basilicas, the spirituality of churches, you cross graceful bridges or rest in the shade of an ancient square.

Florence attractions map

Duomo Square

Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore

Giotto's bell tower

Basilica of Santa Croce

Orsanmichele Church

Basilica of San Lorenzo

Signoria Square

Palace Vecchio

Palazzo Pitti

Boboli Gardens

Bargello

Uffizi Gallery

Ponte Vecchio bridge

Florence landmarks

Duomo Square

The sights of Florence are striking in their variety. One of the favorite places tourist routes is the Duomo Square (Piazza del Duomo) or Cathedral Square. Here are the most ancient and significant architectural monuments... Religious, artistic, cultural life Florence. It is here that the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore was erected - one of the first buildings of Renaissance architecture.

Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore

Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore (Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore)

According to the architects' idea, the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore (Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore), erected on the site of the ancient cathedral, was supposed to overshadow the churches of neighboring cities, Pisa and Tuscany with its grandeur, and therefore, it was designed so that all residents cities could fit inside during service. Construction began in 1289, and by that time the population of Florence was about 90,000. Although the completed cathedral cannot accommodate such a number of people, it is still the fourth largest temple in the world.

Opera di Santa Maria del Fiore Museum

In the Museum of Opera di Santa Maria del Fiore (Museo dell'Opera di Santa Maria del Fiore) or Opera del Duomo (Opera del Duomo), the originals of the sculptures of the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore are collected. The sculptures with which the temple is now adorned are mostly skillfully made copies. The most famous exhibits of the museum are: "Madonna with Glass Eyes", Donatello's wooden sculpture "Mary Magdalene," The Baptism of Christ "by Andrea Sansovino.

Giotto's bell tower

Giotto's bell tower (Campanile di Giotto) stands next to the Cathedral of Florence. The foundations of one of the finest Italian Campanilas were laid in 1334. The tower was for the architect Giotto di Bondone the concentration of all creative forces, it was in it that he achieved that synthesis of painting and architecture that he had been trying to find all his life. Giotto did not have time to complete the construction, he died, having erected only the first floor. The 84-meter tower rushing into the sky, proportionally divided by horizontal articulations with elongated Gothic windows, is an integral part of the architectural ensemble of the Duomo.

Baptistery of Saint John the Baptist

Baptistery of Saint John the Baptist (Battistero di San Giovanni) (photo: haileyanthum)

Another monument located on Cathedral Square is the Baptistery of St. John the Baptist (Battistero di San Giovanni). In ancient times, there was a temple of the god of war Mars, from which fragments of the floor have survived to this day. With the arrival of Christians, the building began to serve as a baptismal place, but they did not destroy the statue of the formidable deity, for there was a legend: while Mars is standing, Florence is also standing. In 1333, a raging water element engulfed the statue, washing it away during a flood, but the city remained alive.

The main highlight of the baptistery is the doors. On the south gate there are 28 panels with reliefs about the life of John the Baptist, on the north 28 reliefs tell about the deeds of the Savior, on the east ("gates of Paradise") 10 reliefs from the Old Testament history.

Church of Santa Maria del Carmine

Church of Santa Maria del Carmine (photo: Sailko)

The Church of Santa Maria del Carmine was built in the 14th century and was almost completely rebuilt after a fire in 1771. The temple is dedicated to the Madonna of the Carmelite Order and is known throughout the world for its unique frescoes by Masaccio and Filippino Lippi.

Basilica of Santa Croce

The Basilica of Santa Croce is the largest Franciscan church in the world. It is famous for the frescoes by Giotto and the tombs of the great men of Italy. The temple was made in the form of an Egyptian cross, and the pointed arches rushing upwards create a special sacredness of this place.

Orsanmichele Church

Orsanmichele Church (photo: Allan Parsons)

The perception of the church of Orsanmichele (Chiesa di Orsanmichele) is completely different. A unique structure of the XIV century, which managed to combine the functions of a temple and a granary. Power, covered with gloomy tones, grandeur, emphasized by the Gothic style, such is this temple. The church is decorated with sculptural compositions of patron saints, which are its main attraction.

Basilica of San Lorenzo

Basilica di San Lorenzo is one of the oldest churches in Florence (393). It houses a large number of works of art, precious materials and revered relics. The basilica unites many famous names: Filippo Brunelleschi, Donatello, Antonio Manetti, Filippo Lippi, Desiderio da Settignano ... In addition, there is the tomb of the noble Medici family, whose tombstones are decorated with works by Michelangelo.

Signoria Square

Signoria Square ( Piazza della Signoria) (Photo: Been Around)

Piazza della Signoria (Piazza della Signoria) can compete in popularity with the Duomo. It is the center of Florence's political life and its trademark. On the square, the Neptune fountain, designed by the famous Ammanati, saves from the heat. A marble statue of the sea lord, who controls the swift horses, is visible through the spray of water. Along the edges are bronze mythical sea creatures. Neptune's face resembles Cosimo I Medici - the sculptor expressed his gratitude to his customer and emphasized the dominion of Florence at sea.

Palace Vecchio

The true decoration of Piazza Signoria is the Palazzo Vecchio or Palazzo della Signoria. Rising on the foundations of an ancient tower, the 94 meter high Arnolfo Tower is one of the most recognizable symbols of Florence. Outside, the palace is massive, but inside it is a real treasure of a true celebration of art. Today the palace houses the town hall and the art museum. Here you can see a sculptural group created by Michelangelo, paintings and sculptures by Domenico de Rossi, by Vasari.

Palazzo Pitti

If you go down from Piazza Signoria to south coast Arno, the road will lead to another iconic landmark of Florence - Palazzo Pitti. The palace was built for the family of the Florentine aristocrat Luca Pitti. It is a symbol of the power of the influential aristocracy. The dukes of Lorraine and Tuscany lived in its luxurious halls, and for some time it was the residence of the Italian king.

Today, the palace is one of the most popular museum complexes in Florence, which houses the Palatine Gallery, the Gallery of Modern Art, the Porcelain Museum, the Silver Museum, the Costume Gallery and the Carriage Museum.

Boboli Gardens

Boboli Gardens (Giardino di Boboli) (photo: HEN-Magonza)

Next to Palazzo Pitti is a garden sculpture museum under open air- Boboli gardens (Giardino di Boboli). This is one of the most famous works of landscape gardening art of the 16th century: quiet grottoes, gurgling fountains, scattering paths and pensively looking statues at visitors, who were also gazed at by the Romans of antiquity. The Boboli Gardens offer a magnificent view of the city.

Eleanor Toledskaya, the Medici's wife, ordered the creation of a grandiose park, after which the best parks in Europe were later created, including the Park of Versailles.

National Museum

One hundred meters from Piazza della Signoria, there is another cult place for travelers - National Museum(Bargello). The building itself was erected around 1255. It was built as a fortress capable of withstanding any battle. The history of sculpture in Italy is hidden behind the inaccessible walls of the palace. The works of medieval masters are exhibited here, separate rooms are dedicated to the brilliant creations of Donatello and Michelangelo. No less interesting are the collections of carpets, knightly armor and terracotta figurines located on the second floor of the museum.

Uffizi Gallery

Greatness cultural heritage, its intimacy, mystery and indescribable beauty can be fully experienced in another Florentine museum - the Uffizi Gallery (Galleria degli Uffizi). The gallery building itself is an outstanding work of art, erected in the middle of the 16th century by the order of the Duke of Medici, a passionate art lover and admirer. It is the collection collected by the Medici that forms part of the fund of the modern gallery. Also, hundreds of tourists come here every day to see the works of Michelangelo, Botticelli, Leonardo da Vinci, Rembrandt, Caravaggio.

Ponte Vecchio bridge

And of course, you cannot visit Florence and not stand on the Ponte Vecchio bridge. In 1345, this stone structure, thanks to the skill of Neri di Fioravanti, connected the two banks of the Arno River. Initially, there was a meat trade near the bridge, but Ferdinand I, irritated by the oppressive stench, ordered jewelry workshops to be built on the site of butchers' shops. So the three-arch construction soon overgrown with residential houses on both sides and received the nickname "Golden Bridge".

Events, holidays, activities in Florence

Easter in Florence (Scoppio del carro) (Photo: Umberto Fedele)

If you plan your visit to Florence in advance, then it would be a good decision to time it with one of the events celebrating in great style in the city.

Lantern Festival

From 6 to 7 September, the Lantern Festival (Festa della Rificolona) is held annually on the streets of Florence. They say that this tradition is rooted in the distant past, when peasants hurrying to the fair sheltered candles from the wind and rain, illuminating their path. These days, thousands of people go out into the street to the sound of old songs, holding a stick crowned with a luminous flashlight.

Easter in Florence

On Easter Day (Scoppio del carro), white oxen across the city carry a cart filled with the first spring flowers to the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore. The solemn procession is accompanied by musicians dressed in medieval costumes, and after mass on Cathedral Square, the archbishop uses a skillfully made rocket in the form of a dove to set fire to a cart with pyrotechnics symbolizing the sacred fire.

May Music Festival

Since 1933, a tradition has arisen in Florence to hold the May Music Festival (Maggio Musicale Fiorentino), during which the city lives and breathes music, turning into a grandiose stage.

Weather in Florence

The climate of the city is determined by its low-lying location: the height of Florence above sea level is only 50 meters. In winter, under the influence of the dry continental masses of the Arctic, the air temperature rarely rises above 10 ° C, but in summer, when the influence of western air currents prevails, it reaches 30-40 ° C at the peak of the season. Spring and autumn delight you with a comfortable temperature.

How to get to Florence

When traveling to Florence, remember that there is no direct flight Moscow-Florence. The best way fly through Rome, and then move through Italy.

Comfortable trains follow from Rome to Florence, the travel time is one and a half hours. The flight by plane will take about an hour. Trains come to Florence from Rimini, Bologna, Milan, Verona, Venice, Pisa. There is also a bus service between the cities.

Florence history

The history of the city began over 2000 years ago. Scientists do not know the exact date of the founding of Florence, it is only known that the Etruscan tribes were the first to settle on this land, then Roman legionnaires came here and in 59 BC they broke a settlement for veterans who impeccably fulfilled their military duty to protect the great emperor. Florenty ("blossoming"), that is how this settlement was called then. Legend has it that the city was founded by Julius Caesar.

In the IV century, the city served as the seat of a bishop, was subordinate to Byzantium, Ostrogoths and Franks, and only in the XII century gained independence, becoming a commune. Handicraft workshops began to develop. The flourishing of crafts and art in the XIV-XVI centuries marked the golden age of the city, it became the cultural and financial center of Europe. Florence even minted their own coins.

In 1434 the Medici dynasty came to power. Florence has become the capital of the arts.

In 1448, a plague raged in the city, claiming many lives.

From 1865 to 1871, Florence was the capital of the Italian Kingdom.

The bombing during World War II caused significant damage to the city. When retreating, the Nazis blew up all the historical bridges across the Arno. Only the Vecchio Bridge was saved.

On November 4, 1966, a flood hit the city. Many works of art have been lost or damaged.

Greve in Chianti

Munyana Castle

Fiesole (photo: Kristoffersonschach)

Fiesole is located on a steep hill, just 8 km from Florence. From here, a gorgeous view of the Arno River valley and the beautiful Florence opens up. Fiesole himself, famous archaeological museum and a Roman theater built in the 1st century BC. From Florence to Fiesole there is a bus number 7, travel time is 30 minutes.

Pisa

Worldwide famous city Pisa and its famous tower, which has a World Heritage status, is also a place of pilgrimage for tourists. The distance to Pisa is about 70 km, the journey will take 1 hour 15 minutes by train.

Vinci

Vinci (photo: J. D.)

40 km from Florence is the place where Leonardo da Vinci was born. This is the city of Vinci. Its history is rich, monuments of architecture (Castle of the Counts of Guidi, Church of the Holy Cross, Leonardo Museum) and traditional festivals (“Feast of the Unicorn”, reconstruction of a Renaissance dinner) speak about it.

Greve in Chianti

In the small commune of Greve in Chianti, you can enjoy the silence of the Italian province and the enchanting beauty of its nature. The commune is located south of Florence in the most famous wine region of Tuscany - Chianti. Greve is surrounded by numerous villas, castles and monasteries where wine tastings are held. Therefore, those who wish to bring wine and olive oil from Italy should definitely visit these places.

What to buy in Florence?

Florence Shops (Photo: Robert Stokes)

It is impossible to leave Italy without shopping. Florence shops offer a huge range of goods. Of particular interest for shopping are leather goods, hand-embroidered linen, famous Italian brands, designer clothes, perfumes, marbled paper, wine and gold, which are still traded on the Golden Bridge.

I wrote in detail about shopping in Florence.

How to get from Rome to Florence

I considered all sorts of route options in

How can I save up to 20% on hotels?

It's very simple - look not only at the booking. I prefer the search engine RoomGuru. He is looking for discounts on Booking and 70 other booking sites at the same time.

Florence from A to Z: map, hotels, attractions, restaurants, entertainment. Shopping, shops. Photos, videos and reviews about Florence.

• Tours for the New Year to italy
• Last Minute Tours to italy

• Where is the main train station in Florence

Search for flights to Florence

Areas of Florence

The capital of Tuscany is divided in two by the majestic Arno - a river that cannot be called the most picturesque, but it still has something special. On the northern bank of the Arno lies the heart of the city - the area of ​​the Historical Center. Florence is proud of this small piece of land for a reason. After all, it was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List of Humanity. And of course, in order to get at least a minimal idea of ​​the beautiful capital of the Florentine Republic, you should definitely wander through its cozy and romantic streets. The center of the district is the Duomo square, next to the creation of the great Giotto is the bell tower of the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore. There is also the baptistery of St. John - the patron saint of the city. There are many other architectural masterpieces in the historical center, in the creation of which Donatello, Michelangelo, Brunelleschi took part. There are also famous museum collections - San Marco, the Accademia Gallery, as well as the most expensive hotels and restaurants in Florence.

San Lorenzo is another central area of ​​the city, which for centuries has been famous for two seemingly not very compatible components - trade and art. The area owes its name to the temple, which was erected in the 4th century after the Nativity of Christ. The second name of this place is “the Medici quarter”, and all thanks to the fact that almost all representatives of this noble family rest in the temple of San Lorenzo. Finally, there is the majestic Convent of San Marco and of course the famous Central Market.

Italy: test of 11 difficult questions. Try to answer correctly on 11/11:

The area of ​​Santa Croce (from the Italian "Holy Cross"), which lies to the east of the center, got its name from the church of the same name, which is considered one of the main architectural gems of the city. You should definitely see the palaces of Cocchi-Serristori, Spinelli, Antella and the house of the famous painter and architect Giorgio Vasari. Perhaps this is one of the most convenient areas for tourist accommodation - it is located relatively close to the center, but, at the same time, the prices in hotels here are quite attractive.

Crossing the famous Ponte Vecchio bridge (by the way, the only ferry in Florence that survived the Second World War), you can find yourself in the Oltrarno area. This is a very sophisticated and somewhat bohemian place with a dime a dozen of sights. These are excellent museums: for example, the Gallery of Modern Art, the Museum of Silver Products, the Palatina Gallery. And openwork temples, in particular, Santa Maria del Carmine with amazing frescoes by Masaccio, Filippo Lippi and Mazolino. And amazing restaurants, where dishes are prepared exclusively according to Florentine recipes.

The area of ​​Coverciano is distinguished by a huge number of churches and monasteries, each of which, of course, also has an important artistic value. Despite its remoteness from the center (in the northeast, just behind the railway line), it is worth getting out here at least for half a day. For the Church of Santa Catharina of Siena or the ancient Romanesque church of San Bartolomeo Gignoro. There are also two holy cloisters - San Baldassarre and San Girolamo.

For fans of the Fiorentina football club, popularly called "violets", Coverciano is an indispensable "must visit". After all, here are the Italian Football Hall of Fame and the headquarters of the national federation.

Transport

Florence is 10 times inferior to Rome in area, there is no need for metro and electric trains. In addition, almost all significant places collected in a small area, traffic on which, by the way, is limited. Take this into account if you are used to renting a car while traveling. In Florence, it is only useful for country trips. And it's easier to get around the city streets by buses, trams, taxis, pedicabs or rented vehicles.

Municipal transport

Florence buses have hundreds of routes, which is impressive given the modest size of the city.

There are 4 eco-friendly electric bus routes in the conventionally closed center of old Florence. They are distinguished by an unusual appearance and letters in the number: C1, C2, C3 and D.

The main transport company, ATAF, has a unified system of tickets and season tickets for buses and trams. A ticket for 90 minutes costs 1.20 EUR. Tourists are offered a 24-hour pass for 5 EUR, a three-day pass for 12 EUR and a weekly ticket for 18 EUR. Travel by night bus (from 20:00 to 3:00) will cost 5 EUR. Prices on the page are for November 2018.

Look for tickets and passes in the special ATAF lounge at Santa Maria Novella train station, as well as in bars, tobacco and newsstands. Tickets are also sold by the driver, but already for 2 EUR. You can also order an SMS ticket, but you need an Italian SIM card.

Museums by bus

The Firenze Card opens the doors to 67 museums in Florence for 72 hours. Bonus - free travel on buses and trams for the validity period of the card. Pleasure price - 85 EUR per person.

Tram

Recently in Florence, the first and so far the only tram line was restored, which was closed in 1958 for being "out of date". It connected the Santa Maria Novella train station with the Scandicci commune on the outskirts. The journey to the terminal will take about 20 minutes. An interesting opportunity to get to know the surroundings quickly and for little money. The first tram leaves the line at 4:30, the last leaves for the depot at 0:30. Runs every 4-6 minutes. In 2018, a second line opened, linking Santa Maria Novella station with the airport.

Taxi

Taxi fares are about the same. During the day they ask for 3.30 EUR for boarding, the minimum rate is 5 EUR. From 22:00 to 6:00 boarding EUR 6.60, minimum per trip EUR 8.30. On holidays 5.30 and 7 EUR respectively. For the fourth and further passengers 1 EUR more, for a piece of baggage the same amount. Calling a taxi by phone is considered additional service, cost up to 2 EUR. Ready rates - 20 EUR to the city center from the airport, 10 EUR each between city stations. A kilometer of travel - from 0.10 EUR. Call a taxi or look for it in the parking lot: it is difficult to catch a car on the street.

From the airport and back

An alternative to a taxi is the VolaInBus shuttle. Look for these buses at Galeria station, BusItalia bus station and air terminal stop. One way ticket: 5 EUR, round trip: 8 EUR. Opening hours: 5:00 - 0:30.

For a day around

From Florence, you can arrange a day trip around Tuscany by visiting Siena, Pisa or the Tyrrhenian coast. The bus station is within walking distance of Santa Maria Novella. The trip to Siena by bus will take an hour, the ticket costs from 7.60 EUR. It is easier to get to Pisa and the coast by train, travel time - 1-1.5 hours, ticket from 8 EUR.

City bus number 7 will take you from Piazza San Marco to Fiesole with a rich archaeological area and excellent views of Florence.

Cycle rickshaws

For some time now, the cycle rickshaw movement has been developing in Florence. Maximum passengers - two adults or an adult and two children. A 15-minute ride will cost EUR 15 for two. One hour walk: 45 EUR. Although they can ride for free, the movement actively attracts volunteers to its ranks. Look for rickshaws near the market in the San Lorenzo area.

Excursion tours

The city's guests are familiar with the double-decker red City Sightseeing Open Bus. There are three routes in operation: year-round A and B and line C, available from April to November. Adult day ticket for A + B + C: 20 EUR, 2 days: 25 EUR, 3 days: 30 EUR. Children are half the price, there are family packages. Audio commentary in Russian is available. Tickets are accepted on city buses and trams.

City tours on segways from 65 EUR. Rafting tours in the Arno from 25 EUR. From May to September, you can order the most romantic tour - a ride on the Florentine gondolas. 75 minutes, from 39 EUR per passenger.

River tram

You can also see Florence from an unusual perspective from the deck of a river tram. These small pleasure boats for 40 passengers cruise past famous landmarks, so don't forget your camera - extraordinary pictures are guaranteed. Such transport is available from spring to mid-autumn, at this time the course of the river within the city is calm, you can not be afraid of rolling.

Motor scooters, segways, bicycles

The compactness of Florence and the limitation of traffic in the central part of the city make it possible to rent a small transport. A day's rent of a moped or motorcycle costs from 50 to 75 EUR. There are companies offering segway rentals: 1 hour: 18 EUR, 3 hours: 45 EUR.

80 km of bike paths in Florence are a great reason to rent a bike! Price per hour: from 2 to 5 EUR, per day: 10-14 EUR. The most affordable prices for the municipal rental program: pick-up stations are located at the Santa Maria Novella train station and on Via Ghiberti. Hours of rental at the Santa Maria Novella station from March to October: Monday - Saturday: 8:00 - 19:00, from November to February: 10:00 - 17:00. Rental hours on Via Ghiberti from March to October: Monday - Saturday: 9:00 - 18:00, from November to February: 10:00 - 17:00. Sunday is a day off. Also, rentals may not work on national holidays.

A tricycle can be rented from the same cycle rickshaws for 80-120 EUR, depending on the season.

Florence maps

Car rental in Florence

If you are not planning to set off from Florence on an independent and long journey through Tuscany, then there is no point in renting a car. In many areas of the city, only taxis and locals with special passes are allowed to travel, hundreds of public transport routes will take tourists to almost any corner of the city, including the outskirts, and suburbs and even neighboring towns can be easily reached by bus or train.

If you are determined to explore rural Tuscany and do not want to depend on a strict timetable, there are several international, Italian and local car rental companies at your service. To rent, you need to make a deposit for the car and not forget the license (ideally, an IDL, but some offices accept national ones as well). You can book the desired car in advance via the Internet and pick it up at the airport on the designated day. If you decide to rent a car in Florence, then look for rental offices south of Santa Maria Novella train station.

A 24-hour rental of a small car will cost 35-45 EUR, a minivan - 145-180 EUR, a premium class - from 250 EUR. Although you can find a nice convertible like the Peugeot 308 for 80 EUR per day.

Check the fuel type of your vehicle so you don't get screwed up at the gas station. If your smartphone does not support the navigator function, then when renting a car, you will be offered such a gadget for an additional amount, do not refuse. And be sure to ask the rental agency manager how to get out of the city center: there are many narrow one-way streets in Florence, where you can easily get into a closed area without being guided, and this is fraught with a fine of about 70 EUR. By the way, fines annually bring about 50 million EUR to the Treasury of Florence, and most of them are for travel to a closed area.

There are two words for diesel fuel in Italy: Diesel and Gasolio. The similarity of the latter with Gasoline, which is familiar to other countries, can result in a car failure and urgent engine cleaning. If your car runs on gas, look for the words Senza piombo and Benzina on the refueling pumps. The phrase “Bonjorno! La gasoline! Grazia! "

Another reason to think about the need to rent a car is the difficulty with parking. There are few parking spaces for visitors in the city, there are practically no free ones, and those that are limited by the period of use: after a certain time, your car will simply be towed to the parking lot. An hour in a paid parking lot: 0.50-2 EUR depending on the distance to the center. Overnight parking: up to 30 EUR. Please note: parking spaces are marked in white, yellow and blue. White parking is free, but only for local residents, yellow for taxi drivers, special vehicles and disabled people, and blue ones are paid for guests of the city. The penalty for incorrect parking is from 30 EUR, but in case of evacuation of the car, the price of the oversight will increase by 4-5 times.

Connectivity and Wi-Fi

Italians are not as dependent on the World Wide Web as guests from Russia, the United States or China, so for them free Wi-Fi is more of a whim than a necessity. Therefore, most local hotels takes a small tribute for such whims of guests - 5-7 EUR per day. There are, of course, hotels with free access, but it is better to check in advance.

Cafes and restaurants also do not spoil their guests with access to the network, perhaps they are afraid of the competition between their cuisine and Facebook. I must say, they are afraid in vain.

Firenzecard

"72 hours, 85 EUR and 72 museums" - the motto of the official guest card of the capital of Tuscany Firenzecard, which can be bought online at the official. website, at one of the ticket offices of the museum or at the information office. Whether it is worth doing is a special question. If you want to visit at least a couple of museums a day (and in Florence there is simply no other way), if the card does not pay off, it will be approximately equal to this amount, because the average price of tickets to Florentine museums is about 7 EUR. But, besides this, Firenzecard owners will not have to stand in queues at the cashier (including the famous Uffizi, Palazzo Vecchio or Palazzo Pitti), and they will be able to go to one of the selected places without queuing at all - the so-called priority will work. pass.

Florence Accommodation

Ancient Florence is a very popular city among tourists. And, it means that rooms in local hotels, although there are a lot of them, it is better to book in advance. And prepare for relatively high prices. In the off-season, you can find a "double" in the center for 45 EUR, but from April to the end of September, the cost rises by about 30%. The most budgetary options are traditionally hostels, where the price per night starts from 15-20 EUR. Large companies should pay attention to 2-3-room apartments - in addition to the opportunity to feel like a local, walking every morning for fresh rolls for breakfast, the price of 100-120 EUR per night is conveniently divided into several families.

The cost per night in hotels is growing almost exponentially, which is closer to the famous Piazza della Signoria. But sometimes such a price is almost "justified": the pleasure of the opportunity to stay in a medieval palazzo with a romantic story from the life of the Medici family is worth it.

Shopping

From Florence, they usually bring all kinds of souvenirs with fragments of world famous paintings from the Uffizi, wines and cheeses, leather goods and jewelry. By the way, about the latter: a fair amount of them can be found on Ponte Vecchio, where almost every store is a jewelry store. It is also worth going to Florence for fur coats (including the well-known Rindi brand) and designer clothes and shoes, which are sold both in company stores and in outlets outside the city.

In the center of Florence there are both boutiques and small mono-brand outlets, for example, Max Mara, Prada, Dolce & Gabbana, Robero Cavalli, Fendi. Most of the outlets located in the suburbs of Florence are multi-brand: this is Sotto Sotto, where there are many evening dresses and classic suits; small The Mall with a large selection of luxury brands; Barberino Outlet (from & G and Roberto Cavalli to Levi's, Motivi, Guess) and Valdichiana Outlet with sports brands like Adidas and Puma or Cerruti and Tosca Blu. The latter is worn by ordinary Italians who do not care about brands and fashion trends.

Guides in Florence

Florence entertainment and attractions

"Cradle of the Renaissance", the most museum city in Italy, the city of spring - what epithets and nicknames Florence has not earned, and they are all extremely flattering. I must say, quite deservedly: even in winter, this city located in the Tuscan valleys calls to life. Here you breathe differently, you feel differently, even the sunlight, the scourge of all artists, lays down somehow especially, in a different way. And you understand this best of all, walking along the narrow streets of Florence, when now and then, here and there, the roof of the Duomo flashes through the gap - perhaps one of the most majestic cathedrals in the country. By the way, it is also atypical - completely covered with pale green, white and pinkish marble plates with a luscious terracotta roof, the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore literally pushes into the arms of color, art and love. Love for Florence. Actually, this cathedral is the heart of the city. If we continue the theme of the human body, then its main vital organs will be located in Piazza della Signoria. Here, by the way, are the main attractions of Florence: the brutal crenellated "Old Palace" of the Palazzo Vecchio, the fountain of Neptune, the holy of holies of art historians -

Temples of Florence

The soul of the city is revealed in its many cathedrals, chapels, baptiseries and churches. The very best - of course, Santa Maria del Fiore - this gothic Cathedral best viewed from the observation deck at Piazzale Michelangelo. It is simply impossible to fit the juicy colossus of the temple into the lens of a camera close up. How impossible not to fall in love with this architectural masterpiece. Nearby is the very bell tower of Giotto, for the sake of a view of which thousands of tourists overpay decent money to hotels. And, of course, the tiny (compared to the Duomo) baptistery of San Giovanni is a baptismal house where all the eminent babies of the Florentine Republic screamed obscenely during Epiphany.

Two more significant temples of the city (in addition to a dozen amazing churches with masterpieces of one kind or another) are the basilicas of San Lorenzo and Santa Croce. The first, so to speak, is famous for the tombs of members of the Medici clan. The latter contains the famous "Pantheon of Florence" - the tombs of the most famous citizens of Florence, including Michelangelo, Machiavelli, Galileo, Rossini and Dante.

Florence museums

Among other things, Florence has a huge number of museums.

The Uffizi Gallery in Piazza Senoria is not only one of the oldest museums in Italy, but also the most complete and significant collection of Italian painting in the world. The San Marco Museum is famous for the frescoes and paintings of the great Dominicans Fra Beato Angelico and Fra Bartolomeo, as well as the cells of Savonarola. Interesting are the Gallery of the Academy of Fine Arts, where there is the original of that same David, from the contemplation of which schoolchildren, ladies and art critics blush (alas, all for different reasons).

The Pitti Palace, as well as the Vecchio, have gathered under their roof a whole string of museums, one of the most interesting is the Pitti Gallery in the royal apartments. It is worth visiting the memorial meetings, because Florence, like no other city, is famous for its eminent citizens. For example, you can go to the Medici Museum in the Medici Ricardi Palace. Or to the house-museum of Michelangelo Buonarotti. It was here that the great sculptor and painter created his early creations - reliefs "Madonna della Scala" and "Battle of the Centaurs". Michelangelo's personal library and a collection of drawings, personally signed by the hand of a genius - as a bonus. Another worthy exposition in the House-Museum of Dante Alighieri

Florence is an amazing city for children and parents. While the former will enthusiastically devour first-class Italian ice cream and Florentine chocolate, the latter can, with no less enthusiasm, tell them about the bonfires that were burned in the Piazza della Signoria, about the drawing that Michelangelo quickly scribbled behind Hercules, about medieval intrigues, bloody massacres and the triumph of good. In a word, Florence is a city of fairy tales, and museum collections directly confirm this. First of all, it is worth going to the Museo Dei Ragazzi ("Museum for Boys"), where, of course, young ladies are not forbidden to enter. Both will be dressed with equal agility in knights or will tell you how to experiment with a vacuum. Continuing the knightly theme, it is worth taking a look at the Stibbert Museum - a magnificent collection of Western weapons and Japanese armor. You can finish the boyish leitmotif in the museum of the Piaggio scooter brand - that's where you can't drag dads and guys by the ears (located in Pontedera, 40 minutes from Florence).

In the Children's Museum in Palazzo Vecchio, the children will be looked after by the gloomy "owner" of the house - Cosimo Medici, who will lead them through the secret corridors and rooms of the palace, and will allow them to try on cloaks, dresses and masks from the 16th century. Curious children will certainly be interested in the ancient compasses, astrolabes and maps in the Galileo Museum.

You can get away from the museum exhibits in Pinocchio Park in Collodi (an hour's journey by car). The main “must-see” is the Toy Land, which tells the story of the adventures of a cocky wooden boy, as well as a large playground, a shop and a giant chessboard. 10 kilometers from Collodi is the excellent spa resort Montecatini Terme Jan

• What is the weather in mid-May in Florence

The most famous definition of Florence is an open-air museum. I completely agree with this: the city that marked the beginning of the Renaissance can deservedly be considered a unique collection of values. Let's take a look at this precious box?

When you come close to a painting in a museum or art gallery, only smears of paint and cracks on the canvas become visible. To appreciate all the perfection of the artist's intention, you need to step back and take in the whole canvas with your gaze. So it is in Florence: you can endlessly wander along narrow winding streets with the same beige facades, but only when you come out to a large square with fountains and cathedrals, you understand how delightful it is. But as for me, the real beauty of Florence is revealed from an even greater distance. The city looks best in perspective: from the hill, observation deck, roof.

The city-painting Florence cannot but evoke in us associations with art. Have you heard the big names of Italian masters - da Vinci, Michelangelo, Dante, Botticelli? They all lived and worked in Florence. The city has preserved everything that reminds of the bygone era of the Great artists and poets. Gone but not forgotten The municipal authorities are really trying to keep that Florence unchanged. So, in the city it is forbidden to arbitrarily repaint walls, change windows and doors, redo roofs. Indeed, who would dare to replace the window that Botticelli was passing by?

Florence is considered an aristocratic city - from here the influential Italian clans Strozzi, Medici, Pitti originate. Representatives of these princely and county dynasties still shape the life of Florence in many ways. Maybe because of the big names of the city's patrons, the Florentines consider themselves special and different from the inhabitants of other regions?

How to get there?

The heart of Tuscany can be reached by land and air. Transport problems in tourist Italy, as a rule, do not arise.

There are no direct flights from Russia to Florence. From Moscow and St. Petersburg you can get here with a transfer in Rome.

There are regular trains to Florence from other cities in Italy. Carriers - Trenitalia or its high-speed "daughter" Frecciarossa. It is convenient to come to the city from Milan (1.5 hours on the way), Venice (2 hours), Rome (1.5 hours). Electric trains run throughout the region to nearby cities, such as Pisa and Siena.

From the listed cities, buses go to Florence, which, in my opinion, are significantly inferior to trains, since they are more expensive and go slower.

You can also come to the Renaissance city by car. A charming picture in the window awaits you, because the snow-covered Alps lie on the way from Moscow to Florence! However, not everyone finds it tempting to steer for 30 hours, paying endless toll roads and berating fuel prices in Europe.

By plane

The most popular flight from Moscow with a stopover in Rome is carried out by the carrier Alitalia (in an alliance with Aeroflot). The cost of round-trip tickets is about 16-20 thousand. You can find the prices of flights for your dates. Fly to Rome for 4 hours, and then wait connecting flight can be from 5 to 12 hours. This time can be spent at your discretion - both at the airport and walking around Rome. As Monica Bellucci says, he is so beautiful that you completely forget about the time. Therefore, I advise you to carefully look at your watch so as not to miss the next plane to Florence - it can really charm! You do not need to receive your luggage in the capital of Italy, it will be registered to your destination.

The flight from St. Petersburg to the capital of Tuscany is approximately the same. Of those that I have seen, the connections from St. Petersburg were even more convenient (although, tell me, what is inconvenient in a 10-hour walk around Rome?). If you decide to stay at the airport, you will have to wait less, about 4-9 hours.

There are two or more flights per day from both capitals of our country. Departures from the main city of Italy to Florence are also carried out daily.

In Florence, the airport is located just 4 km from the city. It is located in the Peretola area and is named after Amerigo Vespucci (another famous Florentine).

I never recommend a taxi as the preferred mode of transportation in a country like this, but in this case the price for the trip will not be unbearably high (about 20 EUR), and the travel time to the center will be about 15 minutes.

Of course, there is public transport from the airport to the city center. As soon as you exit the terminal, you will see buses going to Santa Maria Novella Central Station. Buses run from 6 am to 8.30 pm every 30 minutes, and after half past eight every hour. It turns out that at night a taxi will be your only way to get to the city, but as we have already made a reservation, in Florence this is by no means something problematic and expensive.

The cost of a trip from the airport to the station by bus is 4.5 EUR.

By train

If for some reason the option to get to Florence by air is unacceptable for you, you can try to draw up a train route. There is no direct train from Russia to Florence, but nevertheless, rails to Italy from Moscow through Europe have been laid. On the Russian Railways website, you can check which Italian cities can be reached from Moscow. Information available

Once a week, a train departs from Moscow to. I talked about this route. After arriving in Florence, you will have to spend another hour and a half on wheels. There are too many trains in this logistics for my taste. Personally, I begin to suffer after the first 10 hours on the road.

How to get to the city center

In Florence, you will arrive at the Santa Maria Novella train station, which is in the city center.

In the photo below the train station Santa Maria Novella.

Another thing is a trip to Florence from another city in Italy! Fast and comfortable trip. Let's list the main directions:

• Venezia - Firenze (from Venice). The train leaves every hour, travel time 2 hours 5 minutes, cost from 34 EUR.

• Milano - Firenze (from Milan). The train leaves every 20 minutes, travel time 1 hour 40 minutes, cost from 36 EUR.

• Roma - Firenze (from Rome). The train leaves every 15 minutes, travel time 1 hour 30 minutes, cost from 30 EUR.

In Florence, trains also arrive at the main station (pictured below).

It is very convenient to book tickets for a regional train

By bus

You can get to Florence from other cities in Italy by bus. But, again, buses in Italy are not the most preferred way to travel. Bus trips are operated by various European carriers, one of the most popular being Eurolines. Tickets and directions can be viewed on the website. Buses often make long stops in other cities, often costing the same as the train or more.

Florence Bus Station is located next to Santa Maria Novella (map under "By Train" just above).

Both the railway and the bus station are located directly in the city center. All sights can be easily reached on foot.

By car

I am always in favor of car travel, so in the context of Florence I am ready to sing an ode to road tripping. Yes, (for example, from Florence to Pisa about 10 EUR), but they are of excellent quality and it is a pleasure to drive through them. Yes, gasoline is more expensive than in Russia, but you can rent a diesel small car with a ridiculous fuel consumption. You can read about the peculiarities of driving in Italy.

But not everyone dares to drive to Florence from Moscow, because the city is separated by about 30 hours by car along the highways of Russia, Belarus, Poland, Czech Republic, Austria and Italy.

But I assure you in Florence itself it is better to move on foot, leaving your car in the hotel parking lot. (Note: it is worth knowing in advance that it is). For then there will be nowhere to put the car. Parking is a real problem in Italian cities, especially those tourist centers like Florence. The problem is not even that parking is paid, but that there are no parking spaces at all. Having driven the fifth circle through one block, you begin to understand why Italians are such nervous drivers. Honestly, I learned Italian profanity during car trips. However, if you think that you are nowhere without a car, you can compare prices from different rental companies.

Prompt:

Florence - the time is now

Difference in hours:

Moscow 1

Kazan 1

Samara 2

Ekaterinburg 3

Novosibirsk 5

Vladivostok 8

When is the season? When is the best time to go?

Usually, when traveling to a city like Florence, the weather is a secondary factor. In my opinion, Florence is beautiful always and in any season. This is confirmed by the huge number of tourists here all 12 months of the year. Even in those seasons that are not formally considered high, there are a lot of people who want to visit the city.

Florence is not beach vacation where the success of the trip depends on sunny days. There is plenty to do here whatever the weather. You can hide from the heat (or vice versa cold and dampness) in art galleries and under the umbrellas of an ice cream maker (mulled wine seller). However, in order to idealize the picture of the trip, let's look at the climatic conditions.

Florence in summer

In Florence, summer comes in summer :) Already at the beginning of June the temperature rises to +30. Together with the high humidity (the Arno River flows through the city), the heat is not very well tolerated. Therefore, many residents leave the city and go to the seashore. Tourists reign undividedly in the city, and there are a maximum number of them in Florence during the summer. The weather becomes pleasant in the evening, when it gets colder up to 17-20 degrees, and sometimes even lower (so a light jacket may be needed even in summer in Florence).

Of course, you can go to Florence in the summer. But, in my opinion, only for a few days. During a week, you can get extremely tired of the round-the-clock rumble of the crowd, queues at museums and cathedrals and stuffy humid air. In order not to lose the opportunity to enjoy your summer Italian adventure, it is better to combine a trip to Florence with a vacation at the sea, and then return here in the fall.

Florence in autumn

Italian autumn is one of my favorite seasons of the year and Florence is no exception. True, autumn can be very different here. September (which is actually considered a summer month in Italy) pleases with warm and pleasant dry weather. Since October, Florence is gradually getting colder. But for a long time the weather remains very comfortable for travel. In November, the average temperature in the city is +10 ... + 12.

And what colors are around! Do not forget that Florence is located in Tuscany, a picturesque region with a riot of greenery, which is saturated with new colors in autumn. You will be able to bring home not only memories of the warm Florentine autumn, but also delightful photographs in green-red-yellow tones.

Florence in spring

A trip to Florence in the spring is my favorite. Gardens and trees have been blooming in the Tuscan region since March, and everything around becomes bright and colorful. Daylight hours increase, the sun is warm, but not hot. At this time, Florence has an amazing atmosphere. As you already understood, the flow of tourists is invariably high, but the queues are compensated by the azure sky, the scent of flowers and spring freshness.

Florence is considered a city to be seen before you die. I totally agree this city deserves a visit. And if you managed to see Florence in the spring, you are very lucky!

Florence in winter

Florence gets cloudy and rainy in winter. Clear days are leaving, but +7 ... + 2 reign in the city. However, the cultural richness and vibrancy of Florence cannot be washed away by any rain. Sometimes the temperature drops slightly below zero: in the frost, the domes of the city turn silver. December brings bright Christmas lights. Snow may fall, which melts quickly due to high humidity.

In January and February, it becomes quieter and the flow of tourists finally subsides. Then the time comes to enjoy the half-empty cathedrals and the absence of long lines at the art gallery. By the end of February, sunny weather returns to the city. Then all the Florentines, wearing sunglasses, go for walks around the city or sit on open terraces in anticipation of spring.

Florence - monthly weather

Prompt:

Florence - monthly weather

Districts. Where is the best place to live?

Florence has an official administrative division of the city into districts, but it is not used by tourists and guides. For convenience, the city is divided into quarters formed around the main attractions and places important for guests of the city. Below is a map of the main tourist areas with an average price per night at the hotel. I usually search on, but you can compare prices from different sites.

• District of Santa Maria Novella. If you come to Florence for a day or a couple of days, and then follow to another city in Italy, it will be very convenient to stay in the area of ​​the main station of Santa Maria Novella. From here, the Duomo and the city center are just 15 minutes on foot. Santa Maria Novella is an important transport artery of Tuscany, so the area is noisy. However, you can find affordable accommodation options. Santa Maria Novella is not only a train station, first of all it is the name of a beautiful church located very close.

• Onyissanti area. South of the main station, on the side of the Arno embankment, is the Onissanti Church (Church of All Saints), which gave its name to this quarter of Florence. On the waterfront itself, along Lungarno Amerigo Vespucci, there are chic five-star hotels, for example, The St. Regis Florence, The westin Excelsior. A night in such a hotel can cost 500-600 EUR. But if you are looking for a hotel not on the "first line", you can find acceptable options for 100-150 EUR per night.

• District of San Lorenzo. This is the historical center of the city, where the main attractions are located: the Church of San Lorenzo, Piazza della Signoria, the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, the Baptistery of St. John and other beautiful and oldest places cities. There are many places where tourists can stay, and in this area every hotel is a palazzo. Indeed, even in simple hotels and hostels in the historic center of Florence, you will see arches, columns, stucco facades, paintings on the walls. This beauty also has a downside: in such buildings there are often no elevators, there may be problems with sewerage and sound insulation, there are such narrow ladders that two people of average build cannot disperse on them. Prices here are higher than in the station area, but lower than on the waterfront. Carefully choose hotels in the vicinity of the Church of St. Lorenzo: the city market is located very close by, where in the morning the active trading activity begins, accompanied by market noise. By the way, about the noise. In the center during the day, you will always hear the hum of tourist groups and other sounds of the streets. By evening, the hum gradually dies down and a cozy calm reigns. At first I wondered why Florence was empty in the evening, and later I realized that many tourists come here for a day sightseeing tour, and in the evening they get on guided buses and leave back. The photo below is the Signoria square.

• Waterfront and Ponte Vecchio area. The seafront hotels offer stunning views of the majestic Arno River and the legendary Ponte Vecchio trade bridge. It also houses the Uffiza Gallery and the Galileo Museum. Accommodation prices are slightly higher here than in the center, but there are many mid-range hotels. The closer to the Uffizi Gallery, the higher the price. But the hotels in this area are also part of the old architectural complexes and extremely pleasing to the eye.

• District of Santa Croce. It got its name in honor of the Church of Santa Croce (Holy Cross). This is a continuation of the historic center of Florence, some even believe that the very center of Florence is right here. Due to the fact that the Santa Crove quarter has a lot to see, it is also packed with tourists and a lively atmosphere. Prices roughly coincide with the center, maybe even a little higher. This is the area of ​​palaces: here the Antella palace rises majestically, there is the Kokki-Serristori palace, the Spinelli palace and others. In the photo below, the Church of Santa Croce.

• District of Oltrano. This is my favorite area in Florence. It is located on the other side of the Arno River, on its left bank. If the right one is famous for its churches and museums, then the left one is famous for its parks and garden complexes. Be sure to visit the Boboli Gardens, which I would call a work of art without exaggeration. You have never seen such city gardens before! The Pitti Palace is also located here. You will also find many pleasant Tuscan restaurants and artisan shops. In the Oltrano area, everything is cozy and Italian, and housing prices are lower than on the other side.

• District of San Nicolo. Hotels in this area are cheaper than in the whole city. It is slightly removed from the main attractions. But what makes the San Nicolo area so special? The fact that this view of Florence opens up from here, which I mentioned in the introduction. The city is a must-see from Piazza Michelangelo, located here.

What are the prices for vacations?

In Florence, prices are on average the same as in Italy, i.e. a priori, not very low for people who receive income in rubles, which will have to buy euros. By the way, it is better to do this in Russia - the exchange rate in Florence will be less profitable.

You can save on the cultural program. If you are planning an active march through museums, it makes sense to buy. The card costs 50 EUR and is valid for 72 hours. It allows you to visit 72 museums (one hour each) throughout the city, including art galleries (including the Uffizi), churches and cathedrals. In general, it turns out to be quite profitable, given that the entrance only to the sacred places on the Duomo Square will cost 15 EUR.

In some places, it is completely free to admire art canvases. For example, in the Basilica Santissima Annunziata - Basilica of the Most Holy Annunciation - you can see magnificent frescoes. The Church of Santa Felicità - Saint Feliciata, which is also free to enter, contains paintings by Italian artists. There are other churches with an open entrance and great works of art.

Of course, there are goods that are much cheaper in Florence (and in the rest of Italy) than in Russia. These are, for example, coffee (1-1.4 EUR for a cup of cappuccino) and local food (pasta, prosciutto, pizza). Services of any other kind will, on the contrary, be more expensive - for a taxi, a haircut or telephone repair they will ask for 2-3 times more.

Prompt:

The cost of food, accommodation, transport and other things

Currency: Euro, € US dollar, $ Russian ruble, rub

Major attractions. What to see

Top 5

When you enter Plaza Duomo for the first time, you will be very impressed. The most magnificent architectural-cultural-Catholic complex is located here. Each of its properties deserves a visit, and they all have different opening hours. To save time, Florence introduced a single ticket for all attractions of the Duomo square. It costs 15 EUR, and you can buy it at the box office opposite the entrance to the Baptistery or. The ticket is valid for 48 hours, so visits to different parts of the Duomo can be divided into 2 days. I cannot say that such a single ticket is very convenient. The price of 15 EUR remains unchanged even if three out of five places are closed for reasons unknown to us. It is not possible to buy a separate ticket to the buildings of interest (or operating on the day of your arrival). Maybe the city administration takes advantage of the fact that these are must-see places, and even if only one of them is open, they will still buy a ticket? Insidious, but the approach is correct: if you have already arrived in Florence, you should not spare 15 euros for a ticket.

Where can you go with this ticket

• Santa Maria del Fiore - Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore.
• Cupola del Brunelleschi - Brunelleschi's dome.
• Battistero di San Giovanni - Baptistery of San Giovanni.
• Campanile di Giotto - Giotto's Bell Tower.
• Museo dell'Opera di Santa Maria del Fiore - Museum del Opera Santa Maria del Fiore.

More information about Piazza Duomo can be found in a separate article dedicated to this majestic square -.

Piazza della Signoria - Piazza della Signoria

This is one of the main squares of Florence, and like everything here it is an art object. Here you will see Palazzo Vecchio - Old Palace. Next to it is the Lanzi loggia - an arched pavilion with statues. There are both originals and copies here. One of the most incredible replicas is Michelangelo's David statue.

I really like the Neptune fountain in this square. Everything here disposes to delight, surprise and admiration, so look in all eyes and sides. And for me, for example, it is difficult to imagine that once the fires of the Inquisition burned on this square.

Ponte Vecchio - Ponte Vecchio

The most postcard view of Florence. I still maintain that the best way to observe the beauty of Florence is to look at them from afar. For example, Ponte Vecchio (Old Bridge) looks very picturesque from the embankment or other bridges that span the Arno River nearby.

The bridge is remarkable not only for the fact that since ancient times it has allowed people to cross from one bank to the other, but also for the fact that all this time there was an active trade on it. Now, butcher shops have replaced luxury jewelry stores. There are also a lot of street vendors trying to sell souvenirs to tourists walking here. In high season, the bridge is packed with people and gives the impression of a metro station during rush hour.

Galleria degli Uffizi - Uffizi Gallery

Everyone has heard about the Uffizi Gallery, it is also a kind of visiting card of Florence. It is located between Piazza della Signoria and Ponte Vecchio. This gallery contains masterpieces by Leonardo da Vinci, Rubens, Botticelli, Rembrandt, Raphael and other legendary creators. Not surprisingly, all guests of Florence are eager to get to the Uffizi. There are many jokes about the Florentine queues. It is said that in high season, the queue to the Uffizi Gallery (on the right bank of the Arno) and the queue to the Pitti Palace (on the left bank of the Arno) touch their tails. You can save time and buy a ticket on the museum's website. The cost is about 16 EUR. The gallery is open for visits from Tuesday to Sunday from 08.15 to 18.15. Ticket offices close at 18.05.

Giardini boboli

A wonderful park complex on the other side of the Ponte Vecchio, next to the Medici residence and the Pitti Palace. The entrance to the garden is through the palace. This is a garden of sculptures, mysterious grottoes, bright greenery and unusual fountains. All as one hands of ancient masters of varying degrees of fame.

Dostoevsky loved to walk in this park (but Fyodor Mikhailovich's existential literature does not fit in with the cheerful Boboli gardens). The park complex is both nature and art, here you can have a wonderful time in leisurely walks.

There is a museum complex and an art gallery on the territory of the park. We also found a piece of real Tuscany here, which you usually don't see in the city center.

The Boboli Gardens are open until 18.30, in the summer until 19.30. The ticket price is about 14 EUR. There are discounts for students, but only those studying in Europe in the specialties of history and art. The ticket includes admission to the Pitti Palace and all museums.

Churches and temples. Which are worth visiting

In addition to the Florentine Duomo Santa Maria del Fiore, which I have already described, there are other interesting and significant churches in the city. Here are some of them I recommend to visit:

Chiesa di Santa Croce - Church of Santa Croce (Holy Cross)

Another "casket" church in Florence with a beautiful facade and green splashes on white marble.

This church is incredibly important for the city, because here its greatest inhabitants found their last refuge: Machiavelli, Galileo, Michelangelo. In addition to the tombs of noble townspeople, the church is famous for its 16 chapels and the most beautiful frescoes by Giotto. In the courtyard, there is a museum with works by famous Florentine artists. Church opening hours: 9.30 am to 5.30 pm. Entrance costs 4 EUR.

Basilica di Santa Maria Novella - Basilica of Santa Maria Novella

This openwork church will be the first one you will see when you arrive in the city by train. It contains the works of the already known Italian genius Brunelleschi: the sculpture "The Crucifixion".

I strongly advise you to wander through the inner gardens of the monastery. It is very quiet and peaceful here. The church is open from 9.00 to 19.00 (in winter until 17.00). Entrance costs 5 EUR.

Basilica di San Lorenzo - Basilica of San Lorenzo

And here it was not without the talented architect Filippo Brunelleschi, after whose death Michelangelo Buonarotti took over the work on the church.

This church is grand, and if you are not impressed by its facade, then going inside, you will definitely be amazed at the grandeur of its columns, the scope of the square, the intricacy of carved patterns and the brightness of frescoes and medallions. The church is closed on Mondays. Entrance costs 3.5 EUR.

Chiesa di Ognissanti - Church of Onisanti (All Saints)

This church has a lot less tourists as it is a 15-minute walk from the center of Florence.

Nevertheless, this is an extremely significant place, because here is the resting place of the great Florentine painter - the grave of Botticelli himself! In addition, the church houses an incredible collection of sculptures and paintings. The entrance is free.

Basilica di Santo Spirito - Basilica of Sant'Spirito (Holy Spirit)

The San Spirito project was designed by Brunelleschi, so you can immediately look forward to a majestic architectural spectacle. By the way, this basilica is the last work of the Florentine genius.

From the outside, the church looks very austere. But remember that the rule “don't judge a book by its cover” applies to old buildings as well. Inside you will find very touching bas-reliefs with angels, living frescoes depicting biblical events. The entrance is free.

Chiesa di Orsanmichele - Church of Orsanmichele

You will find this church in the very center: between the Duomo and Ponte Vecchio. It is difficult to pass by it, and it is not worth it!

This church is amazing in that it combines the functions of a spiritual institution, a museum and - suddenly - a concert venue! In addition, there is an observation deck. The height is not the same as from the Dome of the Duomo, but the view is pretty. The entrance is free. The church of Orsanmichele pleases the eye with its decoration (in the style of openwork Gothic) both inside and outside.

Chiesa Ortodossa Russa della Natività - Russian Orthodox Church

Many tourists from our country are very interested and pleased to see a piece of the Motherland abroad.

In Florence, there is the Russian Church of the Birth of Christ and Nicholas the Wonderworker. On the street you will also see a "gingerbread" facade with multi-colored domes like the Savior on the Spilled Blood or St. Basil's Cathedral. The architect of the Church of St. Nicholas was a famous Russian architect of the 20th century. The entire parish is made up of Russian clergy.

Museums. Which are worth visiting

Accademia di belle arti di Firenze - Museum at the Academy of Fine Arts

A prestigious educational institution and a collection of paintings and sculptures. The art collection presented here is highly regarded not only in Italy but throughout Europe.

The original of the statue of David is kept here! At least Michelangelo and Giambolini's work makes this museum noteworthy, but the exhibition includes works by other talented artists.

Museum opening hours: 08: 15-18: 50, closed on Mondays.

Ticket price: 17 EUR.

Palazzo Pitti - Pitti Palace

This is the same palace behind which the famous Boboli Gardens are located. Actually, the entrance to this museum is carried out with a ticket to the garden.

Palazzo Pitti is the largest collection of historical and cultural heritage in Florence. Titian, Botticelli, Rubens, Palantin left their mark here. The treasures of the Medici family are kept here. In addition to the art gallery, you can visit the Porcelain Museum, the Silver Museum and the Costume Museum. As I said, this gate is open for guests until 18.30 (19.30 in July and August), and the ticket price is about 14 EUR.

Palazzo Vecchio - Palazzo Vecchio

You will definitely see him in Piazza della Signoria. The entrance to the palazzo is guarded by Michelangelo's David (as you understand, a copy) and Hercules Bandinelli.

In addition to works of art, dazzling interiors await you here. Be sure to walk through all the floors, Palazzo Vecchio is not a place to save time. This includes the Saturn Terrace for a top-down view of Florence's historic center.

Opening hours: from April to September from 09.00 to 23.00, in other months until 19.00. On Thursdays, the museum closes at 14.00!

Ticket price: 10 EUR.

Museo Galileo - Galileo Museum

This is a science and technology museum. Various areas of natural and technical sciences are presented here: astronomy, physics, biology, chemistry.

The museum is very interactive, some parts of the exposition can be touched with your hands, you can activate mechanisms, press buttons. It will be interesting here, including for schoolchildren. Here you will learn that Florence does not live by art alone, and that many scientific discoveries have been made here.

Opening hours: 09.00-18.00, Tuesday until 13.00.

Ticket price: 9 EUR (up to 18 years old 5.5 EUR).

Museo del calcio - Football Museum

In the area of ​​Coverciano (northeastern part of the city) there is a museum for those who are not indifferent to football.

It was opened by the Italian Football Federation about 6 years ago. In the museum you can learn about the famous players of the country and the city, the history of the development of football in Italy, see photographs from the very first national matches, personal belongings of famous football players. From the center there is a bus number 17, the stop at which you need to get off is called Museo del Calcio. The word "calcho" actually means "football".

Opening hours: 09.00-13.00, 15.00-19.00 (Saturday morning only).

Ticket price: 5 EUR.

Parks

In addition to the main Boboli garden in Florence, there are several other picturesque places for outdoor recreation within the city limits.

Giardino Bardini - Bardini Gardens

The Bardini Gardens are located next to the Boboli Gardens - there is a passage from one park to another. This garden delighted me with its greenery, flowers, elegant sculptures, mysterious stone grottoes.

There are much fewer visitors here than in the main gardens, which makes you feel very cozy and secluded. And what a view of Florence from here!

At the exit from the garden, I was amazed and impressed by two olive trees planted next to each other about 6-8 years ago, dedicated to the two tragically killed here a man and a woman (the sign next to it read about this). I failed to find out what happened and who these people were. Do you know? Then please write about it in the comments.

Here is such a mysterious, but very picturesque garden.

Giardino Torrigiani - Torrigiani Garden

On the same bank of the Arno River, following Via dei Seraigli, you will find a huge garden owned by the Torrigiani family.

This garden is pure luxury in everything, from the combed blade of grass to the blade of English lawns to the statues of lions scattered throughout the territory. Here is a fragment of the old city wall.

And sometimes open lectures on painting and gardening are held in this garden. In Florence, it is not surprising how these two directions can coexist: the Florentine gardens really carry a spark of art.

There are also wild mysterious corners with moss-covered stones and ancient sculptures.

Tourist streets

The main streets of Florence, where you should go for the most bright impressions Are not streets, but squares.

• Piazza del Duomo - Duomo Square

• Piazza della Signoria

The shopping streets of Florence are listed under Shopping and Shopping.

What to see in 1 day

If you only have one day left, don't be discouraged! This is enough to see the most important sights of the city from the top 5 list of our guide. Namely:

• Cathedral Square and its buildings.
• Signoria Square.
• Ponte Vecchio.
• Uffiza Gallery (albeit only for an hour or two).
• Boboli Gardens.

What to see in the vicinity

When you stay in Florence, you get the chance to see other Italian cities.

• . First of all, tourists tend to see the famous Leaning Tower of Pisa. From Florence, regional trains leave from Santa Maria Novella Station to Pisa Centrale main station every hour. Train tickets will cost about 10 EUR. You will spend a little over an hour on the way.

• . Day trips to university cities are also popular. Trains run with about the same regularity as in Pisa. And the price is about the same: a ticket to Siena and back costs from 9 EUR. Travel time is 1.5 hours.

• Milan. If you are drawn to metropolitan areas, wonderful railways Italy is given the opportunity to quickly get to the main city of the neighboring region of Lombardy -

  This is perhaps the most famous Florentine specialty. Fiorentina steak is a huge (from 1 kg minimum) piece of beef of a special breed of cows grown in the Chianti Valley. Cooking and serving such a steak is a whole ritual. First, a raw cut of meat will be brought to you and weighed in front of you. If you are satisfied with the size and appearance, the steak is carried to the oven. I draw your attention to the fact that you will not be asked for the degree of roast. Fiorentina is always roasted the same - minimal. Inside, the meat remains completely raw, with a fried crust. Wonderful, I'll tell you, a thing! Especially with a glass of dry red Chianti or Montepulciano. Steak is usually eaten without a side dish, but for me this amount of half-raw meat is too much. In general, this portion is either for one hefty hard worker, or for two people with an average appetite. By the way, Fiorentina is not a cheap dish. On average, a steak costs from 60 EUR.

  • Panino lampredotto - cow stomach sandwich

  

  This is the oldest Florentine dish. It has been eaten in the Tuscan lands for over 500 years. It was originally the food of the poor who simply could not afford meat. Now for the panino lampredotto there are queues of well-to-do Europeans! A cow's stomach is not the most appetizing and exciting phrase. The smell during cooking is also very specific. But actually, this sandwich is delicious. The cow's stomach is washed, soaked and cooked for a long time with tomatoes, celery and herbs. Then put it between crispy buns. You can buy such a sandwich at special lampredottai kiosks scattered not only in the historic city center, but also in the working districts.

  • Ribollita - thick ribollit stew

  

  It is a thick Tuscan soup, whose name means "overcooked", literally "cooked twice." He, too, was part of the peasants' diet. Ribolitta contains beans, dry bread slices, various vegetables and herbs.

  • Pappa al pomodoro - tomato soup

  

  This is another very tasty Tuscan soup, very rich and thick due to the pulp of fresh tomatoes and bread. Garlic, olive oil and basil are added to the soup. As you have already noticed, the set of ingredients is again very, very simple! Laconicism and simplicity are inherent in the cuisine of the region, and despite this, the Tuscan dishes are very tasty and self-sufficient.

  • Panazella - panacella salad

  

  This salad contains the same ingredients as pappa al pomodoro soup. Only tomatoes will be fresh, of course. Despite all the austereness - bread, tomatoes, olives - the salad tastes great. I think the secret is in the amazing vegetables grown in the fertile Tuscan soil. And Tuscan olive oil is considered the best in Italy!

  • Cantucci - cantucci biscuits

  

  Be sure to try the Florentine cantucci dessert as "dolce"! This is a very interesting gastronomic experience. Dry biscuits with almonds to be dipped in wine before taking a bite. Sweet wine will be served with cookies. A very unusual and light dessert. After you taste the Florentine steak, there can be no question of any cake or other serious dolce, but dry and light cantucci will definitely not require much space in the stomach.

  Things to do

  Shopping and shops

  Florence has luxury shops and interesting city markets.

  About shops

  The city is full of fashionable clothing stores and boutiques. Florentines, like all Italians, love to dress fashionably and look good. Clothing and jewelry stores are scattered throughout the center, literally at every step there are shops with leather goods.

  

  Main shopping streets:

  • Via Tornabuoni. Luxury boutiques - Tiffany & Co, Trussardi, Emilio Pucci, Armani, Hermes (including a children's clothing store), Rolex. Of the more democratic, Tommy Hilfiger is presented here.
  • Via della Vigna Nuova. Continuation of the theme of Italian luxury. On this street there are shops Lacoste, Valentino, Chopard.
  • Via del Corso. The world mass market is concentrated on this street and there are many outlets of famous brands: DKNY, Patrizia Pepe, Diesel. There are interesting Italian shops with their own collections, here you can find a single copy of things.
  • Via dei Calzaiuoli. Here, democratic brands such as Benetton and Tenzeis coexist with Chanel and Furla. You can buy clothes for every day, and pamper yourself with a chic bag. You will also find the Disney Store here. And don't forget that Ponte Vecchio is a trade bridge. It sells luxury jewelry and jewelery.

  About markets

  The city's main market is San Lorenzo.

  A lot of leather goods are presented here. Of course, prices will be lower than in stores with the name. Plus, you have the opportunity to gamble and drive down the price. However, let me advise you to be careful: market traders may try to sell leatherette at the price of genuine leather.
  

  In addition, clothing and souvenirs are sold here. Inside you can buy groceries: vegetables, fruits and Tuscan specialties. The market is always an interesting gastronomic experience that can tell a lot about the traditions and life of the city. There are restaurants in the San Lorenzo market, where the price for a meal will be significantly lower than in a cafe in the city center.
  

  Souvenirs. What to bring as a gift

  Local olive oil is a great souvenir from Florence. You can also take with you a bottle or two of the most famous Tuscan wines Chianti and Chianti Classico. A large number of Tuscan ceramics are sold in the city. I love the Bartolucci souvenir shop on via Condotta (this is the center), where Pinocchio figurines are carved out of wood! In this store you feel as if you are in a fairy tale! Personally, as a child, I ran from stand to stand and said "I want to do something."

  

  And, of course, purple Fiorentina fan scarves, Ponte Vecchio magnets and postcards with pictures from the Uffizi are sold at every turn. As a rule, souvenirs cost 5-15 EUR.

  How to get around the city

  Buses also run around the city: the trip costs about 1.2 EUR. Let me remind you that tickets must be composted (fines for carelessness will cost a tidy sum of 100 EUR).

  Taxis in Florence can be ordered by phone, for example, Or at special taxi stands. One of these is located at the Santa Maria Novella train station. You will most likely not be able to stop the car with a wave of your hand, standing on the side of the road: drivers are prohibited from accepting passengers in this way.

  There is no subway in the city.

  Florence - holidays with children

  It would seem that museums are the least favorite part of the program for most children. But in Florence there is a lot to go with young travelers. Here are some places that kids will find interesting.

  • Museo dei ragazzi - Children's Museum... The museum is located in Palazzo Vecchio. It hosts costume shows and entertainment programs for kids. Here you can also play with toys that belonged to the offspring of the Medici family. Entrance for children is 7 EUR.
  • Fontana del porcellino - Fountain "Boar". The sculpture of a cute boar is one of the favorite places for children in Florence. Be sure to do the following ritual: a coin is put in the boar's mouth, then you make a wish and remove your hand. The coin slides down and falls into the fountain: if it falls into the slit of the water grate, the wish will come true. If not, it's not destiny. There are always many families with children near the fountain, and the porcellino patch has been rubbed to a bronze shine (for good luck) by many generations of tourists. The fountain once impressed the fairy tale writer Hans Christian Andersen so much that he dedicated his work to him. Why not introduce the children to the fairy tale before the trip?

  

  • Negozio Bartolucci - Bartolucci store. I have already mentioned this puppet shop in the "Souvenirs" section. Children will be very interested here, because this shop has a fabulous atmosphere. In addition to dummies, there are many brightly colored wood crafts for sale here. Children will be able to watch the process of creating toys with the hands of a master - just like 100 years ago, toys are made only by hand. You won't be able to leave such a shop empty-handed, so get ready to leave a tidy sum here.