Birthplace

Birthplace
of the Renaissance,
Florence was once the epicentre of the intense growth,
innovation, artistic abundance and scientific discovery that swept
across Europe in the mid-14th century. Inspired by a renewed
interest in ancient Greek and Roman cultures, medieval values were
eschewed in favour of new philosophies and modes of living that saw
the beginnings of humanistic thought and an immense cultural
shift.

The ideals of the Renaissance seeped into every part of ; it was
a confluence of art, philosophy, science and literature that
culminated in some of history’s most important works of art and
scientific discoveries.

More than a third of the world’s most valuable art pieces reside
within the remnants of the city walls; salient works include
Michelangelo’s David, Caravaggio’s Medusa and Botticelli’s Birth of
Venus. Renaissance notions of order, beauty and rationality are
demonstrated in the city’s architecture; perfectly symmetrical
domes, courtyards, arcades and fountains. A short walk through the
city’s historic centre will take you past countless museums and
churches including the Uffizi Gallery (home to the world’s largest
collection of Renaissance art), Galleria dell’Accademia (for
Michelangelo’s David) and Il Duomo di Firenze.

Climb to a lookout point and you’ll recognise the archetypal
image of Florence: terracotta rooftops, rolling Tuscan hills, the
prominent outline of the Duomo and the flowing Arno river that
divides the city. A series of bridges connect the historic city
centre to the south bank, including the iconic Ponte Vecchio.
Marked by the overhanging shops that line its edges, locals say the
bridge escaped damage in World War II because Hitler thought it too
beautiful to destroy.

The Oltrarno District on the south side of the river, is
slightly more removed from the hoards of tourists that descend
year-round. Once overlooked, it has seen a revival in recent years.
Residential dwellings are interspersed with trattorias, wine bars,
artisanal boutiques and antique shops, along with hip cafés and
bars set in restored medieval buildings.

Although the tourist traps are inevitable, our guide to
Florence aims to entice you away from the obvious and towards
the alternatives that the modern day city provides.