History

Florence and its illustrious Tuscan Men

Florence and its illustrious Tuscan Men

These men are all watching the river Arno because they are defending Florence from the enemies!
The particular self-portrait

The particular self-portrait

It's a little bit strange because the Cathedral and the three doors too are entirely dedicated to the Virgin Mary.
The Museum of La Specola

The Museum of La Specola

Home to a vast collection of zoology and anatomy, with lifelike wax models crafted by master artisans.
Florence and Dante's Residence

Florence and Dante's Residence

Historical Testimonies on Dante's Residence in Florence.
The marquis Cosimo Ridolfi

The marquis Cosimo Ridolfi

Cosimo Ridolfi was even elected Minister of Education and Senator after the unification of Ital
Legendary florentine character, La Berta

Legendary florentine character, La Berta

A Roman fragment in the heart of Florence.
Anna Maria Luisa and the Family Pact

Anna Maria Luisa and the Family Pact

Thanks to this astute decision, Florence has preserved much of its extraordinary artistic, historical, and cultural heritage virtually intact.
The Chapel of Mary Magdalene

The Chapel of Mary Magdalene

In the same period Seymour Kirkup, the historian who financed works in the chapel of Mary Magdalene, was the owner of Dante's mask now preserved ins
What are these two men

What are these two men

Even the genius Leonardo studied it and reproduced wooden models of the machines Brunelleschi employed to move the material he needed!
Do you know a secret passage?

Do you know a secret passage?

In 1877 the secret passage was accessible: four thousands and five hundreds of people crossed it paying twenty-five cents each one!
Villa La Pietra

Villa La Pietra

A historic villa becomes a university campus in '94. It has historical roots dating back to the 14th century, passing through the hands of bankers,
A grass hopper cage.

A grass hopper cage.

Michelangelo wanted a prominent frame without a gallery: an essemptial, simple architecture to accentuate the size of the dome!
Vincenzo Viviani and his Master Galileo Galilei

Vincenzo Viviani and his Master Galileo Galilei

On the facade of a florentine palace called "Palazzo dei Cartelloni" ("cartellone" in Italian means "poster") situated near the central station.
A XVII century giant in a secret garden

A XVII century giant in a secret garden

The monster imprisoned Ulysses and his friends in a grotto to eat them.
The stone of the outrage

The stone of the outrage

From 1282 priors were representatives of the seven Major guilds: they fighted against the old aristocratic families revenging an active role of trad
The Marzocco, the symbol

The Marzocco, the symbol

A cage full of lions was situated behind Piazza Signoria in the actual Via dei Leoni in the middle of XIV century to protect priors.
Clarice Orsini

Clarice Orsini

Chosen as Lorenzo de' Medici's bride in 1467, the marriage solidified the Medici family's political influence and resulted in nine children.
Two particolar details

Two particolar details

Giorgio Vasari and Giovanni Stradano painted the "Arrival of the Pope In Florence" between 1555-1562.
The terrestrial and celestial Gods

The terrestrial and celestial Gods

The wonderful decorations on the ceilings were commissioned by Cosimo I to Giorgio Vasari
Michelangelo and portrait on the facade

Michelangelo and portrait on the facade

What do you think? Do you believe Michelangelo have ever spent his time in a similar way?
Florence Feasts S. John Baptist

Florence Feasts S. John Baptist

The last match of the traditional football game will be held In the afternoon at 5.00 p.m. in Piazza Santa Croce
The Magnificent, why?

The Magnificent, why?

Lorenzo de' Medici, although not having attained such a position, was called so for his role as a guide and influence on the city.
Beatrice Portinari, the impossible love

Beatrice Portinari, the impossible love

The impossible love of Dante and its impact on literature.
What is done is done

What is done is done

This killing was the beginning of the civil florentine war between the aristocratic families factions of the city: Guelphs against ghibellines.
Gambassi Terme

Gambassi Terme

Prominence on Via Francigena.
Unusual statues decorate Boboli Garden

Unusual statues decorate Boboli Garden

Statues with the symbols of the Medici are everywhere
Galileo Galilei kneels in front of the church

Galileo Galilei kneels in front of the church

In 1632 the scientist published his "Discorso sui massimi sistemi" and he risked to be burnt at the stake
Pisa, a Glorious City

Pisa, a Glorious City

Located along the Arno River, Pisa boasts a rich history and a glorious past as a maritime republic.
What is a grotesque decoration

What is a grotesque decoration

This is the reason why you find grotesques in Florentine museums
Badia del Buonsollazzo

Badia del Buonsollazzo

Dante himself, two centuries after his death, placed "the Great Baron" in the 'Paradiso'
Girolamo Savonarola was burnt at the stake

Girolamo Savonarola was burnt at the stake

The famous painter Sandro Botticelli destroyed some of his works representing nudes.
The Tuscan Cigar

The Tuscan Cigar

The Tuscan cigar, born from a mishap in 1815, became an iconic product in Florence. Its affordable price and unique taste made it popular.
Santa Reparata and its precious remains

Santa Reparata and its precious remains

Santa reparata was destroyed only at the end of the XIV century when works for the edification of the new one were going on.
Santa Reparata Church and the mosaic carpet

Santa Reparata Church and the mosaic carpet

The cathedral hides a treasure: the archaeological area.
The traditional florentine football game

The traditional florentine football game

At the end of the match the Florentine population answers "Viva Fiorenza" to the exhortation of the captain of the district who says; "Shout with me
The History in a Glass of Wine

The History in a Glass of Wine

The domesticated vine originates from the wild vine. Medieval wine, revitalized by monks, was primarily produced in Tuscany.
The funeral mask

The funeral mask

The Dante funeral mask, once thought real, is now believed a lost sculptural portrait. Donated to Florence in 1911, found in Ravenna in 1830.
Did Florence receive a gift from Pisa

Did Florence receive a gift from Pisa

As the saying goes: " Florence is blind and Pisa is a traitor"
Dante's Florence

Dante's Florence

Remember that at the time Dante entered public life an extraordinary activity manifested itself in all branches of public works
Pretorio Palace

Pretorio Palace

The restoration works conducted in 2020-2021
Were was Dante Buried?

Were was Dante Buried?

Enrico Pazzi decorated even the base of the statue with four heraldic lions symbol of the Florentine Republic. The sculptor and his subject are un
A Mule is celebrated in the Palazzo Pitti

A Mule is celebrated in the Palazzo Pitti

The marble decoration is situated on the left part of the courtyard.
Mary and Mario

Mary and Mario

The Porte Sante Cemetery, a final rest for many, symbolizes love, loss, and the eternal beauty of Florence through its storied inhabitants.
Michelangelo and the secret room.

Michelangelo and the secret room.

The artist drew even his self-portrait depicting the attitude of an imprisoned man.
Pietramala and Its Legend

Pietramala and Its Legend

This tale symbolizes the eternal struggle between good and evil, with San Zenobio prevailing through both strength and wit.
Santa Maria Nuova and its secret underground

Santa Maria Nuova and its secret underground

Even the great artist Leonardo da Vinci studied anatomy and dissected bodies in this long corridor!!