Florence Italy – Tourist information
Florence Italy tourist information: Florence is a city that enchants its visitors, it is known for the contribution to the Arts and Sciences, its art treasures and history, which can be admired in its museums, Galleria degli Uffizi, one of the largest museums of the world, Galleria dell’Accademia, where the famous David by Michelangelo is located, churches and cathedrals, Duomo – Santa Maria del Fiore and Baptistery – two of the oldest monuments of Florence, and squares, Piazza della Signoria, one of the political hubs of Florence for centuries where many famous sculptures are located.
Florence, with a population of some 400,000 inhabitants, lies on the banks of the River Arno, in a valley surrounded by hills. Its industry and craft businesses, commercial and cultural links, artistic scene and scientific concerns make it a lively city. Given its central position in the Italian peninsula, it is on the main national railway lines and is connected to many major Italian and European cities. Moreover, Florence’s Amerigo Vespucci Airport is just five kilometers from the city centre and is served by various domestic and international airlines. The history of the city dates back to the first century BC, when Florence was founded by the Romans. In the Middle Ages, after a period of decline during the “dark ages”, the city began to flourish again under Carolingian rule, reaching highpoints of civilization between the 11th and 15th centuries when, as a free Comune, it managed to maintain a happy balance between the authority of the Emperors and that of the Popes and to weather the turmoil ensuing from the intestine struggles between the Guelphs and the Ghibellines.
In the 15th century it came under the sway of the Medici, who subsequently became the Grand Dukes of Tuscany. This period, known as the Renaissance, marked the peak of the city’s cultural, artistic, political and economic splendour. The Medici were succeeded, in the 18th century, by the Grand Dukes of Lorraine, who governed until the unification of the peninsula in 1860. From 1865 to 1871 Florence was the capital of the newly formed Kingdom of Italy.
Florence Italy tourist information has a negative part since the art that attracts tourists brings them in flocks and they fill the central streets almost to the breaking point. The sheer crush of people, the interminable waiting lines, and jostling for a good position to see the great works of art sometimes make the tourist wonder if the trip is worth it, so it is better to visit Florence outside the main seasons, in spring or autumn, when the pressure is not so visible and the weather is just appropriate.
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Tags: amerigo vespucci airport, craft businesses, david by michelangelo, dukes of tuscany, galleria dell accademia, ghibellines, guelphs, information florence, piazza della signoria, railway lines, river arno, santa maria del fiore