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 Florence's biggest public park |
Piazza Vittorio Veneto Florence 50123 Italy |
Spread over 118 hectares, this popular park is a favorite with joggers, horse riders and families with young children, especially on Tuesday mornings, when it is a market. Towards Piazza Vittorio Veneto on the park's east side is an open-air swimming pool (used during the summer months), while to the west is the park's amphitheatre, a popular summertime venue for dance performances and concerts. At the end of the 18th, century important buildings such as the Palazzina Reale, currently home to the Facoltà di Agraria dell'Università degli Studi di Firenze (School of Agriculture of the University of Florence) were added before the park finally became public at the start of the 19th century. Horse racing takes place not far from here at the Ippodromo delle Muline. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: FrancescoPasqualetti  |
 Photo: FrancescoPasqualetti |
 Photo: Aldo Cavini Benedett |
 Photo: Roberta Lazzeri |
 Photo: Emanuele Noferini |
 Ride away! |
Via Borgo Ognissanti 129r Florence, Florence 50123 Italy +39 5529 1958 http://www.segwayfirenze.com |
Picture yourself in the beautiful city of Florence and you are exploring it on foot. It is humid and hot, but you trudge on. Now wouldn't it have been convenient to be on wheels rather than on jaded soles? With the Segway Human Transporter, a self balancing personal travel device, you can be assured of your comfort even on an excursion. This two wheeled wonder is the first of its kind in Florence. Tours last three hours and have a maximum of six participants. Rates: EUR 60-75 per person. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Carla Alford |
 Photo: Kars Alfrink |
 Photo: Tim Knauff |
 Photo: Amanda Dell |
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The villa of the first Medicis |
Piazza de¹ Medici, 12 Florence 50046 Italy +39 55 87 7012 |
In 1480 Lorenzo il Magnifico acquired a fortified, medieval building, commissioning Giuliano da Sangallo to carry out the necessary structural work to render it habitable. The villa was then enhanced by decorative works ordered by his son Leone X; the so-called "Leone X Room" on the first floor was in fact decorated by famous Florentine artists of the mannerist style. Alessandro Allori completed the project between 1579 and 1582. Particularly praiseworthy was the lunetta by Pontormo depicting the figures "Vertumno e Pomona". Il Francabigio was also involved in the decoration of the panelled ceiling of the villa's barrelled vaults. Outside there are fine examples of ancient architecture such as the porch, which features timpani pediments embellished with a frieze in relief in glazed terracotta, a copy of the original by Andrea Sansovino that can be found inside. The gardens and park are also worth a visit. Guided visits are compulsory with organised tours at specific times for groups of 15 people. Review © 2007, Wcities |