Florence

placed in the category: Cities

Florence, the capital city of the Italian region of Tuscany and of the province of Florence lies beside the beautiful River Arno. The city holds one of the most significant places in the history of art and architecture in the Renaissance era and in the Middle Ages. Florence was the center of medieval European trade and finance and the city is often considered the birthplace of the Italian Renaissance. In fact, it has been called the Athens of the Middle Ages.

Best of the City

The city of Florence boasts of magnificent pieces of monuments, buildings and churches. The domed Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, known as The Duomo is the best-known site and the crowning architectural jewel of Florence. Florence was declared as the World Heritage Site in 1982 by the UNESCO for the importance of its cultural heritage. The center of the city is contained in the walls of the medieval times that were built in the 14th century to defend the city after it became famous and important for its economic growth.

In Piazza della Signoria - the heart of the city is adorned by Bartolomeo Ammanati's Fountain of Neptune. It is a masterpiece of marble sculpting at the terminus of a functioning Roman aqueduct. The striking architecture of the Old Bridge popularly known as Ponte Vecchio on River Arno and the multitude of shops built upon its edges, held up by stilts is another popular destination for tourists. The bridge also carries Vasari's elevated corridor linking the Uffizi to the Medici residence (Palazzo Pitti).

The famous Bargello museum of Florence has many priceless works of art by the sculptors Donatello, Giambologna, and Michelangelo.

Socio-Economic condition of the city

The Italian city of Florence maintains an exquisite artistic and cultural heritage, which has helped tourism to become the most important industry here. During the months of April to October, the number of the inhabitants is outnumbered by the tourists flanking in from all over the world. Historically Florence is the first home to Italian Fashion and it is also the home to the legendary Italian fashion establishment Salvatore Ferragamo, notable as one of the oldest and most famous Italian fashion houses. Many others, most of them now located in Milan, were founded in Florence. Gucci, Prada, Roberto Cavalli, and Chanel have large offices and stores in Florence or in its outskirts. Food and wine has continued to be the vital favorites to the economy as Florence falls within the world's largest grape growing zones.