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Florence Italy |
The Campo di Marte, or Field of Mars, is home to many historical buildings dating back to the turn of the century. A number of modern stone and cement apartment blocks which were built from the '50s onwards are also located here, as are numerous sports venues, several swimming pools and the Franchi Stadium. Fiesole, and the Bellariva zone are close by; these are swathes of Piagentina countryside that always induced feelings of nostalgia in Tuscan painters. Florence gave the Italian language the word for football, calcio, but the game has come a long way since the medieval games that were played in the city's piazze. The Stadio Comunale or Campo di Marte, as it is colloquially known, is the home of Fiorentina, a famous club whose members wear a dashing lilac with red- and white-trimmed kit. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Tim Shields |
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Florence Italy |
The historic city centre is most representative of Florence. The layout of the district follows a road system created by the Romans (known as the 'cardo' and 'decumano' system). In the centro storico, you will see the enormous, imposing structure of the Duomo, with its Brunelleschian cupola, a beautiful dome that adds splendour to the city skyline. The city has also preserved its medieval network of streets, lined with regular, geometric Renaissance palaces such as Palazzo Strozzi and Palazzo Medici-Riccardi, which once belonged to Florence's powerful, oligarchic families. Florence is divided into five districts and the centre is divided into four sections (San Giovanni, Santa Croce, Santa Maria Novella and Santo Spirito Oltrarno). Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Stefano Panaro  |
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Florence Italy |
The small town of Fiesole, even older than Florence, is found to the northeast of the city and can be reached by public transport. It was founded in the Etruscan period, but archaeological remains have also revealed that there was life here in the Bronze Age. In the main city square, Piazza Mino da Fiesole, are monuments of historic and artistic interest, such as the cathedral, which was erected in the 11th century. Other features include the Pretorio Palace, the town hall of Fiesole and the church of Santa Maria Primerana. The archaeological area, with a Roman theatre, Roman baths and the remains of Roman and Etruscan temples, is behind the Piazza Mino da Fiesole. Walking from the piazza toward the highest hill in the city, you will come across the first Etruscan acropolis and the 14th-century convent of San Francesco. A splendid panoramic view of Florence can be enjoyed from this height. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: brian buschmann |
 Photo: brian buschmann |
 Photo: SimplyWithStyle |
 Photo: Paul Ark |
 Photo: SimplyWithStyle |
 Photo: Natalia Naduris-Weissman |
 Photo: Pamela Ueckerman |
 Photo: Sinem Samuray |
 Photo: andi.t |
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Florence Italy |
Gavinana is south of the Arno and leads to the well-known Chianti wine region. The area was the site of a famous battle between the city of Florence and the Holy Roman Empire in the 16th century. Galluzo, famous for its Carthusian monastery, the Certosa del Galluzzo, lies on the southwestern side. Take a tour given by the resident monks themselves that includes the Chiostrino dei Monaci e il Capitolo, a cloister featuring Albertinelli's 1506 work, "The Crucifixion." For fish and seafood, try the specialties at De Stefano restaurant. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Lorenzo Lazzeri |
 Photo: Fabio Venni |
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Florence Italy |
Located just a few miles outside of Florence, near Rifredi northwest of the city centre, Il Barco is located next to the Amerigo Vespucci Airport. As one of two major airports in Tuscany, the other being Galileo Galilei Airport in Pisa, Amerigo Vespucci operates both national and European flights. For travelers wishing to stay close to the airport during their visit to Florence, try the Autostrada hotel. The famous Tenax bar and nightclub is also located in Il Barco, as is the Firenze CG cinema. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Jreese.com |
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Florence Italy |
Isolotto and Legnaia are made up of areas of the city that were developed during the '60s and '70s and are still expanding. The Isolotto district was once the scene of various clashes and social unrest during the heady '60s. To escape the crowds and late summer heat on the Florentine tourist trail, head south of the river Arno to the calming and charming environs of the Boboli Gardens. The gardens were designed by the Medici family in the 16th century. The area offers stunning views of the city and Tuscan countryside. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: William C Hutchinson |
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Florence Italy |
The La Pietra area features a private villa that can only be visited following a written request. The alley running from the entrance gate to the villa itself is lined with cypress trees and although the villa was built in the 16th century, it was completely renovated by the architects Fontana and Ruggieri for the Capponi family in the 18th century. One of the villa's recent owners was Sir Harold Acton, an art historian who put together his own art collection here; it was subsequently bequeathed to an American university. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Scott Kidder |
 Photo: Scott Kidder |
 Photo: Thessaly La Force |
 Photo: kelly keegan |
 Photo: megananne |
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 Photo: erin |
 Photo: MUMZACAB |
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Florence Italy |
Poggio Imperiale is a town and comune in the province of Foggia. A 17th-century villa of the same name stands on the Imperial Hill, so called because of its connections with the imperial D'Asburgo family through the Grand Duchess Maria Magdalena, wife of Cosimo II de'Medici and sister of the Emperor Ferdinand II. The original building designed by Parigi was altered during the 18th and 19th centuries by the designs of Paoletti, Poccianti, and Cacialli, who created a neo-classical style which was particularly welcomed by the Grand Duchess. In the second half of the 19th century, it was used as an educational centre. Now under state control, only some ground-floor rooms of the villa may be visited, namely those containing paintings by Matteo Roselli and other 17th-century Florentine painters, which depict subjects chosen by the Grand Duchess D'Asburgo. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Carlos Mejía |
 Photo: belfiore40 |
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Florence Italy |
Rifredi is in the northwestern part of the city and is a place of contrasts. It is home to many beautiful country villas as well as industrialized residential areas and host to many Chinese and African immigrants. The influx of immigrants means that even a city like Florence cannot live forever in the past but must create a new multi-ethnic history. Rifredi houses the airport and many university facilities as well as the Firenze Rifredi train station. The local Museo Stibbert contains a rich and varied collection of art in a villa on the Montughi Hill. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Simon Greig |
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Florence Italy |
San Giovanni takes its name from St. John the Baptist, patron of Florence, in whose honour the Baptistery was built. This area covers most of the historic city centre and is now full of exclusive boutiques that are concentrated in a few of the most well known streets, such as Via Calzaiuoli. Most notably, San Giovanni is the location of Santa Maria del Fiore, or the Duomo. Built by Filippo Brunelleschi, the domed cathedral is one of the most recognizable landmarks of the city. The university and the Tribunale di Firenze (which is housed in the Complesso di San Filippo Neri) also call this district home. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Sebastian Celis |
 Photo: Carolyn Hack |
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 Photo: Carolyn Hack |
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Florence Italy |
Santa Croce takes its name from Santa Croce Church, a medieval Franciscan basilica. Construction of the basilica began in 1294, and Giotto's frescoes in the chapels at the head of the transept are considered to be some of the finest examples of 14th-century painting. The lively piazza in front of the basilica is home to street performers and other vendors and provides a good place for visitors to stop. Every year, the piazza hosts a traditional soccer match, an activity that dates back many centuries. The National Central Library (built in the 10th century) is also located here. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Florence Italy |
Santa Maria Novella is named after the Santa Maria Novella church--a Dominican basilica and important cultural centre during the Middle Ages. The train station of the same name (designed in the 1930s by the young architect Michelucci) is also situated nearby. Not far from the station is the Basso Fortress, which is now used as an important centre for conferences, conventions and exhibitions. The zone is also home to the Parco delle Cascine, one of the city's green oases. Via Tornabuoni, a street which is famous for being home to some of Italy's most prestigious designer boutiques, like Versace and the Florentine Ferragamo, also runs through the area. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Miles Berry |
 Photo: Rob Innes |
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Florence Italy |
Santo Spirito Oltrarno stretches from San Frediano to San Niccolà Oltrarno, but its heart is probably the Piazza Santo Spirito, which has retained much of its historic charm and is filled with artists' workshops. This piazza is the place for parties on summer evenings, bringing together young Florentines and foreigners, many of whom live in this area. The Pitti Palace, with its old Medici garden, and the Boboli Garden are both in Oltrarno. The famous Piazzale Michelangelo (with its incredible view) is also in this district. From here, it is possible to see one of the few remaining stretches of medieval wall around the Belvedere Fort that was spared from demolition in the 19th century. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Allyson Boggess |
 Photo: DeGanta Choudhury |
 Photo: Annalisa Henderson |
 Photo: Francisco Nogueira |
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Florence Italy |
Scandicci is a comune (municipality) located about 6km southwest of Florence. It rises on a hilly stretch between the Arno River and the Valley of Pesa. The origins of the town date to the Roman Age, and some historical data shows its importance as a trading centre as early as the Hellenic Age. Among the most interesting monuments to see in Scandicci are the Badia di San Salvatore a Settimo (Saint Salvatore in Settimo Abbey), the Chiesa di San Martino alla Palma (Saint Martin to the Palm Church), the Parrocchiale di Santa Maria (Saint Mary Parish), the Villa Paserini (Paserini Villa) and the Castello dell'Acciaiolo (Acciaiolo Castle). Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: janex |
 Photo: Sara Carnati |
 Photo: Licia Ventavoli |
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Florence Italy |
Sesto Fiorentino is a town known for its crafts and ceramics. Sesto is located approximately six miles from downtown Florence just north of Amerigo Vespucci Airport. While in the area, go to the top of Mount Morello for great views of Florence. The nearby Hotel Villa Stanley in Sesto Fiorentino is a 15-minute drive from central Florence and is housed in a traditional villa. The critically-acclaimed India, the city's first Indian restaurant, is also close-by. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Jonathan Dughi |
 Photo: Søren Andersen |
 Photo: David Boardman |