Italy | Florence
Florence is the capital city of the Italian region of Tuscany and of the province of Florence.
Florence is known as the “cradle of Renaissance, for its monuments, churches and buildings. The city lies on the River Arno and is known for its history and its importance in the Middle Ages and in the Renaissance, especially for its art and architecture. A centre of medieval European trade and finance, the city is often considered the birthplace of the Italian Renaissance.
At the heart of the city in Piazza della Signoria is Bartolomeo Ammanati's 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 people who lived there.
Florence can claim a couple of musical firsts. Not only was the first piano invented in the city, by Bartolomeo Crostoferi, but also the first ever opera, Daphne, was performed here in 1598, at the home of Jacopo Corsi. Dance performances usually run for a month in July and are held in outdoor venues, such as Piazzale Michelangelo and the Teatro Romano. Film and theatre is enjoyed all year round.
Main attractions include Florence Accademia and Uffizi Gallery Tour, Chianti region wine tasting, Piazza del Duomo (Cathedral Square), Ponte Vecchio, Museo Nazionale del Bargello and Cappella Brancacci.
Annual events include:
- Epiphany, January
- Scoppio del Carro, April
- The Rhododendron Festival, May
- Florence Dance Festival, July