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Florence
*** Shopping-Tip: Florence
{{otheruses}}
{| border=1 align=right cellpadding=4 cellspacing=0 width=300 style="margin: 0 0 1em 1em; background: #f9f9f9; border: 1px #aaaaaa solid; border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 95%;"
|+ style="font-size: larger;"|'''Comune di Firenze'''
|-
|align="center" colspan=2|
{| border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0"
|-
|colspan="2" align="center" width="140px"|
Image:FlorenceSymbol-giglio.png 100px|
|-
|colspan="2" align="center" width="140px"|City
Seal (device) seal
|}
|-
|Founded||
59 BC as ''Florentia''
|-
|Region||
Tuscany
|-
||
Mayor.html">Leonardo Domenici (''
Democrats of the Left Democratici di Sinistra.html" title="Meaning of _Democratici di Sinistra">Democratici di Sinistra'')
|-
|
Area - City Proper .html">1 E6 m²
km²
|-
|
Population - City (
2004)
- Metropolitan
-
Density (city proper) ||
356,000
almost 500,000
3,453/km²
|-
|
Time zone.html">Central European Time
CET,
UTC+1
|-
|Latitude
Longitude
||43°47' N
11°15' E
|-
|align="center" colspan=2|[http://www.comune.firenze.it/ www.comune.firenze.it]
|-
|align="center" colspan=2 style="border-bottom:3px solid gray;"|
Image:Florence.jpg right|300px|Florence's world famous skylineAn overview of Florence (Italian: Firenze)
|}
Image:Firenze dot.png thumb|200px|Florence
'''Florence''' (
Italian language Italian: ''Firenze'') is the capital
city of the region of
Tuscany,
Italy. From
1865 to
1870 the city was also the capital of the Kingdom of Italy. Florence lies on the
Arno River and has a population of around 400,000 people, plus a suburban population in excess of 200,000 persons. The greater area has some 956,000 people. A center of medieval
European
trade and
finance, the city is often considered the birthplace of the
Italian Renaissance and was long ruled by the
Medici family. Florence is also famous for its fine
art and
architecture. It is said that, of the 1,000 most important European artists of the second millennium, 350 lived or worked in Florence.
History of Florence
''Main article:
History of Florence''
Florence's recorded history began with the establishment in
59 BC of a settlement for
Roman Republic Roman former soldiers, with the name '''Florentia'''.
Julius Caesar had allocated the fertile soil of the valley of the
Arno to his veterans. They built a
castrum in a chessboard pattern of an army camp (''castrum'') , with the main streets, the ''cardo'' and the ''decumanus'', intersecting at the present ''Piazza della Repubblica''. This pattern can still be found in the city center. Florentia was situated at the ''Via Cassia'', the main route between Rome and the North. Through this advantageous position, the settlement could rapidly expand into an important commercial center. Emperor
Diocletianus made Florentia capital of the province of ''Tuscia'' in the 3rd century AD.
St Minias was Florence’s first
martyr. He was beheaded at about 250 AD, during the anti-Christian persecutions of the Emperor
Decius. The
Basilica di San Miniato al Monte now stands near the spot.
The seat of a bishopric from around the beginning of the 4th century AD, the city experienced subsequent turbulent periods of
Byzantine Empire Byzantine,
Ostrogothic rule, during which the city was often besieged and ravaged. The population may have fallen to as few as 1,000 persons.
Peace returned under
Lombard rule in the 6th century. Conquered by
Charlemagne in 774, Florence became part of the duchy of Tuscany, with
Lucca as capital. Population began to grow again and commerce prospered. In 854 Florence and
Fiesole were united in one county.
Margrave Hugo chose Florence as his residency instead of Lucca at about 1000 AD. This initiated the Golden Age of Florentine art. In 1013 the construction was begun of the Basilica di San Miniato al Monte. The exterior of the
Battistero di San Giovanni (Florence) baptistry was reworked in Romanesque style between 1059 and 1128.
Reviving from the 10th century and governed from
1115 by an autonomous commune, the city was plunged into internal strife by the
13th century 13th-century struggle between the
Ghibellines, supporters of the
Germany German emperor, and the pro-
Papacy Papal Guelphs, who after their victory split in turn into feuding "White" and "Black" factions led respectively by
Vieri de Cerchi and
Corso Donati. (See
Guelphs and Ghibellines.) These struggles eventually led to the exile of the White Guelphs, one of whom was
Dante Alighieri. This factional strife was later recorded by
Dino Compagni, a White Guelph, in his
Chronicles of Florence.
Political conflict did not, however, prevent the city's rise to become one of the most powerful and prosperous in Europe, assisted by her own strong gold currency, the
guilder florin (introduced in
1252), the eclipse of her formerly powerful rival
Pisa (defeated by
Genoa in
1284 and subjugated by Florence in
1406[http://www.florence-italy-guide.com/]), and the exercise of power by the mercantile elite following an anti-aristocratic movement, led by
Giano della Bella, that resulted in a set of laws called the
Ordinances of Justice (
1293).
Image:Europa06 211.jpg 300px|thumb|A rare snow-covered Florence
Of a population estimated at 80,000 before the
Black Death of
1348, about 25,000 are said to have been supported by the city's woollen industry: in
1345 Florence was the scene of an attempted strike by wool combers (''ciompi''), who in
1378 rose up in a brief revolt against oligarchic rule in the
Revolt of the Ciompi. After their suppression, the city came under the sway (
1382-
1434) of the
Albizzi family, bitter rivals of the Medici.
Cosimo de' Medici was the first Medici family member to essentially control the city from behind the scenes. Although the city was technically a democracy of sorts, his power came from a vast
patronage network along with his alliance to the new immigrants, the
gente nuova. The fact that the Medici were bankers to the pope also contributed to their rise. Cosimo was succeeded by his son
Piero di Cosimo de' Medici Piero, who was shortly thereafter succeeded by Cosimo's grandson,
Lorenzo de' Medici Lorenzo in 1469. Lorenzo was a great patron of the arts, commissioning works by
Michelangelo,
Leonardo da Vinci and
Sandro Botticelli Botticelli.
After Lorenzo's death in 1492 and his son Piero's exile in 1494, the first period of Medici rule ended with the restoration of a republican government, influenced until his execution (
1498) by the teachings of the radical Dominican prior
Girolamo Savonarola, whose monomaniacal persecution of the widespread Florentine
Homosexuality#History sodomy and of other worldly pleasures foreshadowed many of the wider religious controversies of the following centuries.
A second individual of unusual insight was
Niccolò Machiavelli, whose prescriptions for Florence's regeneration under strong leadership have often been seen as a legitimisation of political expediency and even malpractice. Commissioned by the Medici, Machiavelli also wrote the
Florentine Histories, the history of the city. Florentines drove out the Medici for a second time and re-established a
republic on
May 16,
1527.
Restored twice with the support of both Emperor and Pope, the Medici in 1537 became hereditary dukes of Florence, and in
1569 Grand Duchy of Tuscany Grand Dukes of Tuscany, ruling for two centuries. Only Republic of
Lucca (later a
Duchy of Lucca Duchy) was independent from Florence in all Tuscany.
The extinction of the Medici line and the accession in
1737 of Francis Stephen, duke of Lorraine and husband of Maria Theresa of Austria, led to Tuscany's inclusion in the territories of the
Austrian crown. Austrian rule was to end in defeat at the hands of France and the kingdom of
Sardinia-Piedmont in
1859, and Tuscany became a province of the united kingdom of
Italy in
1861.
Florence replaced Turin as Italy's capital in
1865, hosting the country's first parliament, but was superseded by
Rome six years later following its addition to the kingdom. After doubling during the 19th century, Florence's population tripled in the 20th with the growth of tourism, trade, financial services and industry. During
World War II the city experienced a year-long German occupation (1943-1944). The Allied soldiers who died driving the Germans from Tuscany are buried in cemeteries outside the city (Americans about 9 kilometers (6 miles) south of the city [http://www.asgdd.it//amevceme.htm], British and Commonwealth soldiers a few kilometers east of the center on the north bank of the Arno [http://www.veteransagency.mod.uk/remembrance/remembrance_cwgc6.htm])
In November 1966 the Arno flooded parts of the centre, damaging many art treasures. There was no warning from the authorities who knew the flood was coming, except a phone call to the jewellers on the Ponte Vecchio.
Florence and the Renaissance
The surge in artistic, literary, and scientific investigation that occurred in Florence in the
14th century 14th-
16th century 16th centuries was precipitated by Florentines' preoccupation with money, banking and trade and with
conspicuous consumption the display of wealth and leisure.
Added to this, the crises of the
Catholic church (especially the controversy over the French
Avignon Papacy and the
Western Schism Great Schism) along with the catastrophic effects of the
Black Death were to lead to a re-evaluation of
medieval values, resultant in the development of a
humanist culture, stimulated by the works of
Petrarch and
Giovanni Boccaccio Boccaccio. This prompted a revisitation and study of the
classical antiquity, leading to the
Renaissance. Florence benefited materially and culturally from this sea-change in
social consciousness.
Geography
{{section stub}}
Climate
{| class="wikitable"
! style="background: #99CCCC; color: #000080" height="17" | Month
! style="background: #99CCCC; color:#000080;" | Jan
! style="background: #99CCCC; color:#000080;" | Feb
! style="background: #99CCCC; color:#000080;" | Mar
! style="background: #99CCCC; color:#000080;" | Apr
! style="background: #99CCCC; color:#000080;" | May
! style="background: #99CCCC; color:#000080;" | Jun
! style="background: #99CCCC; color:#000080;" | Jul
! style="background: #99CCCC; color:#000080;" | Aug
! style="background: #99CCCC; color:#000080;" | Sep
! style="background: #99CCCC; color:#000080;" | Oct
! style="background: #99CCCC; color:#000080;" | Nov
! style="background: #99CCCC; color:#000080;" | Dec
! style="background: #99CCCC; color:#000080;" | Year
|-
! style="background: #99CCCC; color:#000080;" | Avg high [°C](°F)
| style="background: #FFFF99; color:#000080;" | 10 (50)
| style="background: #FFFF99; color:#000080;" | 12 (54)
| style="background: #FFCC66; color:#000080;" | 15 (59)
| style="background: #FFCC00; color:#000080;" | 19 (66)
| style="background: #FFCC00; color:#000080;" | 23 (74)
| style="background: #FF9900; color:#000080;" | 27 (81)
| style="background: #FF9900; color:#000080;" | 31 (88)
| style="background: #FF9900; color:#000080;" | 31 (87)
| style="background: #FF9900; color:#000080;" | 27 (80)
| style="background: #FFCC00; color:#000080;" | 21 (70)
| style="background: #FFCC66; color:#000080;" | 15 (59)
| style="background: #FFFF99; color:#000080;" | 11 (51)
| style="background: #FFCC00; color:#000080;" | 20 (68)
|-
! style="background: #99CCCC; color:#000080;" height="16;" | Avg low temperature [°C](°F)
| style="background: #FFFFCC; color: black;" | 2 (35)
| style="background: #FFFFCC; color: black;" | 3 (37)
| style="background: #FFFFCC; color: black;" | 5 (41)
| style="background: #FFFF99; color: black;" | 8 (46)
| style="background: #FFCC66; color: black;" | 11 (52)
| style="background: #FFCC66; color: black;" | 15 (59)
| style="background: #FFCC66; color: black;" | 17 (63)
| style="background: #FFCC66; color: black;" | 17 (63)
| style="background: #FFCC66; color: black;" | 14 (58)
| style="background: #FFFF99; color: black;" | 10 (50)
| style="background: #FFFFCC; color: black;" | 6 (42)
| style="background: #FFFFCC; color: black;" | 2 (36)
| style="background: #FFFF99; color: black;" | 9 (49)
|-
! style="background: #99CCCC; color:#000080;" | Rainfall (
millimeters)(inches)
| style="background: #2288BB;" | ? (2.90)
| style="background: #2288BB;" | ? (2.70)
| style="background: #44AADD;" | ? (3.20)
| style="background: #44AADD;" | ? (3.10)
| style="background: #44AADD;" | ? (2.90)
| style="background: #66CCFF;" | ? (2.20)
| style="background: #66CCFF;" | ? (1.60)
| style="background: #66CCFF;" | ? (3.00)
| style="background: #66CCFF;" | ? (3.10)
| style="background: #44AADD;" | ? (3.50)
| style="background: #2288BB;" | ? (4.40)
| style="background: #2288BB;" | ? (3.60)
| style="background: #2288BB;" | ? (?)
|}
A tour of Florence
Image:florence duomo tower.jpg thumb|Florence Duomo and Campanile Tower
Image:Duomo combine.jpg thumb|Combination pic of the view from the tower looking towards the Duomo
Image:Florence ponte vecchio.jpg thumb|Ponte Vecchio
Image:Florence italy duomo.jpg thumb|The Duomo in Florence is constantly being cleaned to remove the effects of pollution
Image:Florence bridges.jpg right|thumb|The bridges of Florence at sunset from Piazzale Michelangelo
At the heart of the city is the
Fountain of Neptune, which is a masterpiece of marble sculpture at the terminus of a still functioning Roman
aqueduct.
The
Arno river, which cuts through the old part of the city, is as much a character in Florentine history as many of the men who lived there. Historically, the locals have had a love-hate relationship with the Arno — which alternated from nourishing the city with commerce, and destroying it by flood. Many of the bridges across the Arno were built by the Romans.
One of the bridges in particular, however, stands out as being unique — The
Ponte Vecchio, whose most striking feature is the multitude of shops built upon its edges, held up by stilts. First constructed by the
Etruscans in ancient times, this bridge is the only one in the city to have survived
World War II intact.
The most famous palace in the city is
Basilica di San Lorenzo di Firenze San Lorenzo, which has become a monument to the
Medici family who were one of the most powerful families in Florence during the
15th century. Nearby is the
Uffizi Gallery, one of the finest art galleries in the world.
The Uffizi itself is located on the corner of Piazza della Signoria, a site important for three main reasons:
* In
1301, it was where Dante was sent into Exile (a plaque on one of the walls of the Uffizi commemorates the event).
* In
1497, it was the location of the
Bonfire of the Vanities (a plaque in the middle of the plaza commemorates that event), followed in
1498 by the execution of its instigator,
Girolamo Savonarola
* In
1504, it was the original location of
Michelangelo's David (now replaced by a reproduction as the original was moved indoors to the
Accademia dell' Arte del Disegno), in front of the
Palazzo della Signoria (aka Palazzo Vecchio).
In addition to the Uffizi, Florence has other world-class museums:
The
Bargello concentrates on
sculpture, containing many priceless works of art created by such sculptors as
Donatello,
Giambologna, and
Michelangelo.
The ''
Accademia dell' Arte del Disegno'' (often simply called the ''Accademia'') collection's highlights are
Michelangelo's David and his ''Slaves''.
Across the Arno is the huge
Pitti Palace lavishly decorated with the Medici family's former private collection. Adjoining the Palace are the
Boboli Gardens, elaborately landscaped and with many interesting sculptures.
The elaborate
Basilica di Santa Croce, Florence Santa Croce church contains the monumental tombs of
Galileo Galilei Galileo, Michelangelo,
Niccolò Machiavelli Machiavelli, Dante (actually a
cenotaph), and many other notables.
The crowning architectural jewel of Florence is the domed cathedral of the city,
Santa Maria del Fiore, known as "The
Duomo". The magnificent
dome was built by
Filippo Brunelleschi. The nearby
Campanile Tower (by
Giotto di Bondone Giotto) and the
Battistero di San Giovanni (Florence) Baptistery buildings are also highlights.
Other important
Basilica basilicas in Florence include
Santa Maria Novella,
Basilica di San Lorenzo di Firenze San Lorenzo,
Santo Spirito and the
Orsanmichele.
The city's principal football team is
AC Fiorentina.
Florence has been the setting for numerous works of
fiction and
film movies, including the
novels and associated films ''
Hannibal (movie) Hannibal'' and
A Room with a View.
Demography
Like many cities in
Italy, the pensioner population overwhelms those who are under 14 years of age. This ageing process is due to low
fertility which is widespread in Italy.
'''Age Structure'''
*0-14: 11.0%
*15-64: 63.2%
*65+: 25.8%
'''Racial Profile'''
*91.8%
Italy Italian
*1.0%
China Chinese
*1.0%
Albania Albanian
Transportation
The principle transportation network within the city is run by the [http://www.ataf.net/Default_EN.asp ATAF and Li-nea] bus company, with tickets available at local tabacconists. [http://www.trenitalia.com/en/index.html Trenitalia] runs trains between the railway stations within the city, and to other destinations around
Europe. Long distance buses are run by the SITA, Copit, CAP and Lazzi buses. The transit companies also accommodate travelers from the Amerigo Vespucci International Airport, which is five kilometers from the city center.
The centre of the city is closed to through-traffic, although
buses,
taxis and residents with appropriate permits are allowed in. Within the city walls most places can easily be reached by foot.
An urban
tram network called the [http://www.comune.firenze.it/tramvia/tracciato2.htm TramVia] is currently under construction in the City.
{{section stub}}
Economy and industry
Florence is home to the
Italian haute couture establishment
Gucci, notable as one of the most famous Italian fashion houses not located in
Milan.
{{section stub}}
Culture
{{section stub}}
Administration
{{section stub}}
* Mayor:
Leonardo Domenici, elected
June 13,
1999
Twinning
Florence maintains cultural, economic and educational ties with
Edinburgh,
Scotland. Also maintains sister-city relationship with
Sydney,
Australia.
Sister cities
* {{flagicon|Germany}} '''
Dresden''',
Germany
* {{flagicon|Iran}} '''
Isfahan (city) Isfahan''',
Iran
* {{flagicon|Germany}} '''
Kassel''',
Germany
* {{flagicon|Japan}} '''
Kyoto''',
Japan
* {{flagicon|USA}} '''
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Philadelphia''',
United States
See also
*
Stendhal syndrome
*
List of Florentine churches
*
University of Florence
*
Chancellor of Florence
*
Historical states of Italy
*
:Category:Natives of Florence Natives of Florence
Further reading
* Ferdinand Schevill, ''History of Florence: From the Founding of the City Through the Renaissance'' (Frederick Ungar, 1936) is the standard overall history of Florence
External links
{{commons|Firenze}}
{{sisterlinks|Florence}}
* {{wikitravel}}
-
Florence Italy virtual travel with free audio guides in mp3 (English/Italian)
-
Official site (English version)
-
Map of Florence
-
Sectioned map of Florence
-
Novels set in Florence listed and reviewed
-
Uffizi Gallery
-
About Florence: a non commercial guide to Florence
-
Archimede's Garden
-
Crusca Academy
-
Events and art, Florence
-
Statistics on Florence
-
FlorenceFlickr Group
-
The Quattrocento Florence Project chronicling Florence in the 15th century
-
WWW-Virtual Library: History hosted at IUE, Florence
-
Satellite image from Google Maps
-
Satellite image from Google Maps zoomed into the Duomo
Category:Cities in Italy
Category:Florence
Category:Towns in Tuscany
Category:World Heritage Sites in Italy
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Articles about
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*** Shopping-Tip: Florence
