Florence is known throughout the world for its culture, for being the cradle of the Renaissance and for being the birthplace of some of the greatest artists in history, both in art and architecture. Just think of Leonardo Da Vinci, Dante, Petrarca, Lorenzo de’ Medici, Botticelli, Michelangelo, Machiavelli, Giotto, and Brunelleschi. But this list could go on and on.
This city is one of the favourite destinations for tourists from all over the world for its unique landscapes, for the goodness of the culinary specialties of this land and for its unmistakable glamorous style. Florence is well connected to major foreign cities thanks to its airport (Leonardo da Vinci) – mainly served by seasonal flights – and the nearby Pisa’s Galileo Galilei, which is mostly provided by low-cost flights. As a matter of fact, those who want to explore this must-visit destination while keeping an eye on the budget, choose to land in Pisa which also offers a convenient bus service that connects Pisa airport to Florence within an hour.
In this article we will get to know Florence better and we will propose five reasons why you should visit this city
Art
Florence can to all intents and purposes be considered as an open-air museum. It is home to some of the best known and most appreciated works of art in the history of mankind. Booking a visit to the Uffizi Gallery, Palazzo Pitti, the Boboli Gardens are some of the unmissable experiences you can experience in this Tuscan city.
Not to mention Michelangelo’s David, the Galileo Museum, or the Leonardo Da Vinci Interactive Museum. Here it will be possible to have a real sensory experience to retrace the steps of the greatest scientist of all time who created some of the most important masterpieces in history in Florence.
Culture
Not only works of art, but also culture in its full meaning. Florence is the cradle of the Italian language, home of the great poet Dante Alighieri who began writing in the vernacular here so that all those who did not speak Latin could begin to read. Dante would later write his most famous work, The Divine Comedy, in Florentine, which we might call the “ancestor” of the current Italian language.
History
Many of you do not know that in the years immediately following the unification of Italy in 1861, Florence was also the capital of the Kingdom of Italy for six years, from 1865 to 1871, when the capital then became the current Rome. Whole pages of history have been written in Florence thanks also to the influence of the Medici family. A new way of governing which marked the history of the world, and which was told in The Prince by Niccolò Machiavelli.
Architecture
Florence is also home to unique structures in the world. Among these how not to mention the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, Giotto’s marble bell tower and the octagonal Baptistery. Among the other monuments that we recommend you go and visit there are also Palazzo Vecchio, the Medici Chapel and the Duomo. Taking a walk along Ponte Vecchio, which connects the two banks of the Arno, is another of the must-see experiences for those who choose to visit this city.
Food
Have you ever heard of Chianti and Maremma? Well, in this vast area of the Tuscan hinterland some of the typical products present not only on Florentine tables but on those of the entire country are produced. If we talk about wines, Chianti and Brunello di Montalcino are some of the absolute top class recognized all over the world.
If we move on to food, let’s go from ribollita to Cinta Senese. But also, Finocchiona, a particular type of salami that is produced only in this part of the world and is savoured at its best in a freshly baked focaccia with oil in which the fat drips inside, leaving a unique flavor. And then again, the famous Florentine steak. And finally, the cantuccini to be tasted with Vin Santo. In short, coming to Florence means immersing yourself in a unique experience that will satisfy your palate but also your mind.
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