Florence is the city of which country. Holidays in Florence

When I arrived in Florence, the heat there was about forty degrees, and therefore the first thing I wanted to do was to be closer to the water in order to feel at least a little cool. It was decided to head to the river. Imagine my disappointment when I realized that nothing riverlike was coming from the river: neither a breeze, nor even the characteristic aroma of algae. Moreover, the water in the Arno is not at all transparent, and even brown. It acquired this color either from pollution, or because of the composition of the ground rocks through which it flows, I could not find out. But in any case, it is completely unsuitable for swimming.

But the Arno, despite the fact that it is muddy and not too long, is still, I think, a great river. And Arno makes her great rich story.

Story

Florence is a city in which almost every pebble and flower is of historical value. The Arno River, which is the second longest river in Central Italy after the Tiber, was no exception. The Arno has its source in the Apennine Mountains and flows into the Ligurian Sea near the city. The length of the river is neither more nor less than 248 kilometers.

When I was in Florence, the river behaved very calmly; its current could not be called even slightly stormy. Against the backdrop of the general heat, the sluggish Arno looked very harmonious. But after reading about the history of the river, I was surprised: it turns out that during the flood in November 1966, 40 people died in the waters of the Arno, significant damage was caused to Florence itself, many works of art were damaged, and collections of rare books were damaged. The worst affected by the flood was the National central Library. This is what the saying “Don’t wake the beast while he sleeps” means. The Italians curbed the changeable nature of the river by building dams along its entire length.

Arno and Florence

In densely built-up Florence, the river is a good landmark. When I wandered through the small old streets of the center, the names of which were either not on the map, or the inscriptions with the names of these streets had been erased from the walls of the houses over the years, my only salvation and hope for access to a crowded and familiar place was the river. It doesn’t matter where you are: if you move towards the river, you always have a chance to get out either to the embankment or to one of the many squares located along the river.

The river divides the city into two parts. Formally, they are not called anything, but figuratively they can be described as “cultural and leisure” and “green”. On the first side is the city center, most of the museums and cathedrals, shops and restaurants. On the left side of the bridge Ponte Vecchio The Uffizi Gallery is located, where the main masterpieces of art of Florence are collected. The gallery windows offer a wonderful view of the river and bridge. This is where the most stunning panoramic photographs come from.

A little further from the gallery is the Galileo Museum, a very tiny Museum of scientific inventions that appeared during the Renaissance. Most of the exhibits are handmade. The main pearl of the museum is Galileo Galilei's telescope, through which he suggested that the Earth revolves around the Sun.

The famous Vazzari Corridor also runs over the Arno. The corridor, built in 1565 by order of Cosimo I, is a covered gallery and connects Palazzo Vecchio and Palazzo Pitti. Unfortunately, the Vazzari Corridor is closed to the public.

The second part is more like a peaceful existence. It is a hilly area with parks and frequent, densely packed houses. This is where Mount Michelangelo is located. And also there fewer tourists and cheaper restaurants.

These two completely different halves of one city are connected by ten bridges. The most famous of them are three bridges that are located in the central part of Florence: Ponte Santa Trinita, Ponte alle Grazie, Ponte Vecchio.

Three Bridges

Ponte Vecchio

The bridge is located in the narrowest part of the Arno River and is almost the most important symbol of Florence. Despite the fact that the bridge was built in 1345, it has retained its original appearance to this day. This is the only bridge that was not reconstructed after World War II.

The Ponte Vecchio is very easy to get to, it's just off Piazza della Signoria and heading down Florence's main street Santa Maria will take you straight to it.

The Vecchio Bridge has always been a place of busy trade. Previously, there were butcher shops where you could buy the best meat in the city, but now jewelry stores have taken their place.

On Vecchio Bridge always crowded. Mostly tourists come here to take pictures against the backdrop of the Florentine landscape and funny houses. Although there are many who came specifically for jewelry. All the jewelry that is presented on the bridge is of very high quality, but, unfortunately, it is not sold at the most reasonable prices.

And on this bridge you can often meet Italian weddings who come to the bust of the great Benvenuto Cellini - a sculptor, musician and even a jeweler of the Renaissance. The newlyweds traditionally hang “love locks” on the fence near the bust.

Ponte alle Grazie

This bridge was originally built in 1227. In 1335 it was rebuilt, several arches were added, and this allowed it to become the most long bridge in the city.

Ponte alle Grazie takes its name from the chapel of the Madonna delle Grazie.

During World War II, the bridge was blown up by the Germans. After the victory over fascism and Nazism, it was decided to restore the bridge.

Nowadays this bridge consists of four pillars with thin arches between them, its new design fits harmoniously into the ancient architecture of Florence. But on appearance and in terms of construction materials, it is completely different from its predecessor, as well as from other bridges in the city.

Ponte Santa Trinita

Ponte Santa Trinita (Holy Trinity) is the most graceful bridge in Florence. It is located on the right and in close proximity to the Ponte Vecchio.

The bridge was originally made of wood, but in 1259 it collapsed under the weight of a crowd watching a theatrical performance. After this, the bridge was rebuilt. But it didn’t show off for long in its stone guise - it was soon damaged again due to flooding, and it was rebuilt again. Designed new bridge Bartolomeo Ammanati, according to legend, consulted and discussed his plan with Michelangelo. The Ponte Santa Trinita was eventually built of yellow-brown stone and decorated with allegorical statues on both sides of the bridge. These statues symbolize the four seasons: “Spring” was sculpted by Pietro Francavila, “Winter” by Taddeo Landini, “Summer” and “Autumn” by Giovanni Caccini.

Unfortunately, during the Second World War this bridge was also destroyed. German soldiers. It was decided to recreate it according to the principle of “where it was and how it was.” Its exact copy was erected in 1958. Statues of the seasons were preserved, found and restored. They still decorate the bridge to this day.

Great Arno

Speaking about the Arno as a great Italian river, I would call it the core on which the city rests.

Florence was founded more than two thousand years ago thanks to the river. At that time, people could not even imagine such a wealth of communication resources that we have now. That is why the main and decisive factor that guided them when they founded settlements was water. We still value reservoirs as sources of water for home and industry, and, of course, for the opportunity to swim in them. If there is not enough water, we simply drill a well to the aquifer. But in those distant times, a nearby river was a vital necessity.

It is simply impossible to imagine Florence without Arno. It is not for nothing that this river, which has saturated the history of the city, flows in the center of Florence. By this, she seems to let the Florentines understand that it was she who created and nurtured their homeland.

Florence is amazing and unforgettable city Italy. Florence is translated as “blooming”. Indeed, the chronicle of this city boasts a lush, flowering garden of prominent personalities and a centuries-old history that you can talk about for hours over a glass of Chianti. Therefore, we will try to briefly consider the most interesting facts about Florence and its attractions.

Florence gave the world outstanding geniuses like Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Dante, Cellini, Botticelli, Giotto, Machiavelli and Petrarch.

• The prototype of the heraldic symbol of Florence was not a lily at all, but a variety of iris, Iris germanica florentina, which grows in the vicinity of the city.
• Tuscany Day - November 30th. Celebrated since 2001, it commemorates the date when the death penalty was abolished in the Duchy of Tuscany in 1786.
• Florence was the capital of the Kingdom of Italy from 1865 to 1871.
• Modern Italian language“was born” precisely in Florence thanks to Dante’s “Divine Comedy”. The comedy was written in the Florentine dialect instead of the common Latin language, in which all official documents and works of art were then written.
• The most favorable period for visiting Florence is April-June and the period from September to October. At this time it's worth good weather, and most importantly, the flow of tourists is small. The beginning of winter can also bring mild weather and sunny days.

The Statue of Liberty in New York is a copy of the tombstone sculpture in the Church of Santa Croce in Florence.

• It is better to visit the Uffizi Gallery early in the morning, otherwise valuable hours will be wasted in the queue. On Tuesday the gallery is open until 22:00, so the evening tour promises to be pleasant.

Copy of David

• There is a copy of David in Piazza della Signoria. The original, fearing for the safety of the marble, was transported to the Academy of Fine Arts 120 years ago.

• Due to a shortage of marble, the latissimus dorsi muscle of the statue of David is not accurately depicted. The same inaccuracy is reflected in the copy.

• In the 2nd half of the 19th century, the Macchiaoli school of painting emerged in Florence, close in style to French impressionism. Works using this technique are in the Gallery of Modern Art at the Pitti Palace.

• On many houses and churches (including Santa Croce) you can see a six-pointed star - magendavid. This sign has nothing to do with Jews. In Italy in the Middle Ages, such a star was only an element of ornament without any semantic meaning.

• Florence is the “culprit” of Stendhal syndrome. It was in this city that the writer was thrown into a complete stupor when visiting the Church of Santa Croce. The Church of Santa Croce is famous for the famous frescoes of Giotto's school and the many tombs of the great minds of Italy (about 300), the entire floor is covered with tombstones.
  What he saw made such a strong impression on the writer that, upon leaving the church, he almost lost consciousness... “When I left the Church of the Holy Cross, my heart began to beat, it seemed to me that the source of life had dried up, I walked, afraid of collapsing to the ground... “- this is how he described his feelings.

• Still in the same church of Santa Croce, immediately at the entrance on the left there is a tombstone familiar to many in shape. It was from this figure that the Parisian copy was made, which was later chosen by America for its national symbol- Statue of Liberty.

Due to a shortage of marble, the latissimus dorsi muscle of the statue of David is not accurately depicted

Stendhal syndrome is a psychosomatic disorder in which a person tends to perceive works of art very keenly, as if transported into the depicted reality. Symptoms of Stendhal's syndrome are palpitations, dizziness, and a feeling of lack of support under one's feet, which occurs in someone who is in the area of ​​influence of works of art, in the place where they are concentrated. Up to complete loss of orientation in space and hallucinations.

• The Cathedral of Santa Maria dei Fiore (St. Mary of the Flowers) belongs to a number of dome cathedrals, like the Duomo in Milan, Pisa and Siena. The construction of the Florentine Duomo began in the 13th century and was completed only in the 19th century, with long interruptions.

"Gateway to Heaven"

• In the center of the dome of Santa Maria dei Fiore there is an image of Galileo with the globe.

• The "Gates of Heaven" Baptistery with biblical scenes from ten panels are exact copies. They were replaced after the flood.

• A copy of the Gates of Heaven doors is installed in the Kazan Cathedral in St. Petersburg.

• Florence has the most beautiful and largest Synagogue in Italy. There is a Judaica Museum and a kosher restaurant. On Shabbat the synagogue is closed even to Jews.

• F.M. Dostoevsky worked in Florence for two years. Here he wrote "Idiot".

• Florence has the first Orthodox Church made in the best traditions Moscow-Yaroslavl architecture XVII century. The construction of the church belongs to the Buturlin family back in 1818.

• In the evening, in search of fun, you should go to the left bank of the Arno to the Church of Santo Spirito. This is a gathering place for Florentine and other youth. Performances by artists, fiery flamenco, terraces of cafes and restaurants in the area are packed to capacity.

• Not far from the Church of San Miniato, along Viale dei Colli, one of the best panoramas of the city and its surroundings opens up.

• The Florentines openly dislike the Neptune Fountain in Piazza della Signoria and call it Biancone, which means “big white ugly thing.”

Fountain of Neptune or popularly Biancone

• Some hotels in the center of Florence in summer time Everyone is invited to an aperitif on the terrace. Here you can admire fabulous beauties city, while eating excellent snacks. And you don’t have to be a guest, you just need to be in the know. One of these tasty spots is the terrace near the pool on the roof of the hotel. Grand Hotel Minerva. Musicians play here to set the mood. There are telescopes, like at the best observation platforms... Convinced? The “Minerva Giò” aperitif parties at the Grand Hotel Minerva take place from June to August every Thursday at 19:30.

F.M. Dostoevsky worked in Florence for two years. Here he wrote the novel "The Idiot".

Florentine cuisine: simple and tasty

• More on the topic of panoramas. Head up to the rooftop café at the Rinascente department store. From here it opens great view to Brunelleschi's dome.

• The Ponte Vecchio bridge is the oldest bridge in the city and the only one that survived the Second World War. Built in 1345

• In 1993, there was a terrorist attack organized by the Sicilian mafia. The terrible explosion killed 5 people, injured 60 and caused irreparable damage to the masterpieces of the Uffizi Gallery. Losses amounted to $1 million. At the site of the terrorist attack on Via dei Georgofili, a centuries-old olive Tree with a memorial plaque.

Colossus of the Apennines

• Florence hosts colorful ancient festivals that allow you to experience the medieval atmosphere in reality: historical football in medieval costumes (held in June). The holiday dates back to 1530. And the no less colorful “Exploding Cart”, which is held in front of cathedral on Easter Sunday.
• While walking around the city, pay attention to funny road signs.

As you can see, Florence is a city rich in history and attractions. And not all interesting facts about him are collected here.

What do you know about Florence? What secret places and interesting facts can you tell us? Share, reader, continue the list!

Today I would like to tell you about , a city that attracts hundreds of thousands of tourists to look at its divine beauty. I would like to talk about how you can have a great vacation and what...

Where to stay in Florence

If you decide to spend your holidays in Florence, in this section you will find a short list the best hotels for your unforgettable holiday in the city of Renaissance.

In fact, there are more than 450 hotels in Florence, ready to cater to every need, accessible to every pocket. Full list You will find hotels on the famous travel portal Booking.com.

By train

You can also get to Florence by train from the Trenitalia railway company. Trains from major cities Italy arrive at the main city station, Santa Maria Novella, conveniently located in the city center. The next most important train station in Florence is Campo di Marte, where some intercity trains and trains arrive.

Once I tried an alcoholic Italian dessert called cantucci con Vin santo. As I was told, this is one of the “typical” Italian dishes. Get carried away in large quantities I do not advise. What it looks like: they bring you on a plate the cantucci themselves, which are sweet oblong-shaped crackers with nuts, and the wine itself, which is also sweet and very strong. You simply soak the cracker in this wine and enjoy.

I was told one story that is directly related to this dish: one foreigner was given a pack of these cantuchi (they can be bought in any store) and a bottle as a gift. A couple of days later he is asked how he and his family liked this Italian dish. To which he replied that he felt bad for several days, and he would never eat it again in his life. It turned out that our poor foreigner took a large bowl, dumped all the crackers into it, and poured a bottle of wine. He took a spoon and began to devour both cheeks in countless quantities along with the whole family! As you can see, you need to know when to stop!

. Photo risette.pourfemme.it

I’ll tell you about another simple Tuscan dish: prosciutto con melone. So, there is no need to cook melon with ham! Neatly sliced ​​ham with pieces of melon are served on a plate. Before this, I would never have thought that these things could in any way be used together. I loved it!

Prosciutto con melone. Simple and Tuscan! Photo: pischeblog.com

Where to eat in Florence?

We offer you the Top 5 best restaurants and bars in Florence (average price), according to traveler reviews posted on TripAdvisor.

1. All "Antico Vinaio- Via De" Neri 65/R 74/R, 50122 Florence, Italy

“In between visits to museums, I was very pleased to plunge into the friendly atmosphere of a Florentine shop. The abundance of delicious smells, Italian flavor, all this created a unique atmosphere of little Italy. I included ingredients of my choice in the sandwich and complemented everything with a glass of red wine. It took some time not much, although there was a crowd of people around the shop. If you are in Florence, I definitely recommend stopping by here." (Nina S. St. Petersburg, Russia)

2. I" Pizzacchiere- Via S. Miniato 1/2, 50125 Florence, Italy

“A small place with the most wonderful pizza. The owner takes orders and communicates nicely with customers. Sometimes to get a table you have to wait a little in the fresh air, but this one is not at all difficult. If I’m in the city, I’ll definitely come back here again.” (pz_90_un, Moscow)

3. Cacio Vino Trallalla- Borgo SS. Apostoli 29R, 50123 Florence, Italy

"A small place with wide choice wines and delicious sandwiches, it’s especially pleasant here in the evening" (Villiwein, St. Petersburg)

4. La Prosciutteria- Via dei Neri 54, 50122 Florence, Italy

"Cool restaurant. Italian atmosphere... Great place to relax and try Italian wine, delicious prosciutto, different cheeses... I recommend it!!!" (Lusin A)

5. Dal Barone- Borgo San Lorenzo 30/r, 50123 Florence, Italy

“Very sophisticated place, a lot of different dishes that are hard to find in Florence, I especially liked the meat plate with sandwiches and caviar” (Villiwein, St. Petersburg).

How to spend time in Florence? Tourism or study?

It all depends, of course, on what you plan to do on your vacation. I mean whether you like an active and educational lifestyle or prefer leisurely walks.

To Florence to study

If you plan to come there for language courses, the school will help you find a room. There are several options here: you can rent an entire apartment, a room in an apartment where students will also live next door, or live with an Italian family. I think that the last option is largely suitable for all those who are traveling to Italy for the first time and want to get acquainted with the culture and customs, and of course, with Italian cuisine. An Italian family will help you figure out simple questions, for example, where to buy bus tickets, where is the best place to go, in the end, where is the store, etc.

Florence, photo Thinkstock

By the way, regarding grocery stores: you don’t need to think that you will find supermarkets in the city center, say, near the cathedral. As you understand, Florence is no different from other European cities, so the shops are located a little further from the historical center. Many Florentines prefer COOP, and there is also Billa.

1. Own a passato remoto.
2. Know how to use congiuntivo.
3. Italian pure pronunciation, which, as you understand, can be heard in.

I’ll probably tell you a truth that many of you know: today Italian schoolchildren do not know and do not use passato remoto (in principle, this time is only needed to read works of fiction), replacing it with passato prossimo.

Oh, this is passato remoto - the thunderstorm of modern schoolchildren. Photo: ilgur.com

About long and short distance travel

Wearing museums and galleries? Want to just take a walk? I suggest you go to the area. Not far from it is the old city wall - Fortezza. In the summer, around mid-July, the celebration of fortezi begins. What does it mean? Inside the fortress there are restaurants, not only with Tuscan cuisine, but also Argentinean, Asian... There is a choice for even the most picky guest. You can also buy a new bag or wallet there. After dinner you can buy your favorite book (there is a book exhibition there). You can warm up not only spiritually, but also physically by going to a disco to dance.

Fortezza. Holidays take place outside its walls. Photo toscanaviva.com

No, what kind of vacation is it without shopping? I won’t tell you about the shops, because they are on every street, and you will definitely find what you like!

I also advise you to travel around. Visit, ... Many tourists in the summer tend to those cities where the sea is located nearby. I assure you, it is not that far from Florence to the sea. Of course, it’s worth looking for the perfect place for an even sea tan. I would recommend combining a trip to Pisa (see the leaning tower and Piazza dei Miracoli) with a trip to the sea - you will need to travel a couple of stops by bus and get to Marina di Pisa. How about going to see Chinque Terre and sunbathing on the beaches there?

Marina di Pisa. An even sea tan awaits you! comune.pisa.it

During your main stay in Florence, you can also go on long distance trips, for example, to,. You can organize trips yourself or take advantage of offers from local travel agencies.

Discover Florence!

Where it is now. Note that “David,” like most sculptures of that time, was carved from a block of Carrara marble, a material also mined in Tuscany.

In Piazza della Signoria you can also admire the sculpture “Judith with the Head of Holofernes” - this is an original work by Donatello. It first appeared here as a sign of the expulsion of the Medici in 1494 and marked the liberation of the city from the tyrant.

The Loggia dei Lanzi, a beautiful 14th-century (Quattrocento, early Renaissance) arcade in Piazza della Signoria, houses several sculptural masterpieces from the nearby Uffizi Gallery, including Benvenuto Cellini's Perseus with the Head of Medusa.

• By the way, this elegant structure was built only to accommodate armed guards, Landsknechts from Germany. Which the authorities intended to use to protect against the uprisings of the townspeople that happened so often

If you move north from Piazza della Signoria (away from the Arno), then after a short time you can reach the Duomo, the main attraction of the city. The construction of Santa Maria del Fiore was dictated by the desire to show off the eyes of all of Italy and declare Florence as the first city of Europe. The cathedral, however, became a long-term construction project (started at the end of the 13th century - completed in the 19th century), but it is a truly unforgettable sight.

White and green marble, overwhelming scale. The area is clearly small for such a giant, and happy is the one who manages to capture the entire building in his lens.

The famous spanless dome of the brilliant architect Brunelleschi, who was the first to come up with a complex, double-hull (external and internal vault) design, the beautiful green and white marble facade decorated with pointed arches and statues and the wonderfully proportioned square bell tower of Giotto together leave an indelible impression.

Next to the cathedral is the Bapsistery of San Giovanni, where all the famous Florentines were baptized. It is said to be the oldest surviving building in the city. The small octagonal Romanesque building's ceiling is lined with beautiful mosaic panels, and its amazing bronze gate by Lorenzo Ghiberti is considered one of the masterpieces of the Renaissance.

Not every lover of beauty will visit the harsh brickwork of the Church of San Lorenzo. Despite the fact that Brunneleschi himself had a hand in the restructuring, the most prominent representatives of the powerful family rest in the Medici Chapel. The sculpture for the chapel, the famous allegories “Day” and “Night”, “Morning” and “Evening” was sculpted by Michelangelo, and many art historians consider it the pinnacle of the work of the “Titan of the Renaissance”.

Very close to the square is the ancestral palace of the Medici-Riccardi. Attracting attention with the mighty stone rustication of the walls, Palazzo Pitti can envy it.

Among the iconic sights of the Tuscan capital, we mention the Basilica of Santa Croce (Holy Cross), once the main Franciscan church in Europe. And also the tomb of the most famous sons of Italy (not all of them, however, are Florentines by birth): Michelangelo, Machiavelli, Galileo, Rossini, Marconi, Fermi.

There is also the tombstone of Dante Alighieri, the famous Florentine. However, he found peace not here, but in Ravenna (Emilia-Romagna), on the other coast of the “Italian boot”. Despite the requests of the Florentines, Ravenna did not want to part with the ashes of the genius, as if declaring that she would not send Dante’s remains to a city that did not appreciate him during his lifetime.

On the other side of the Arno, if you take a left, leaving Ponte Vecchio bridge, appears majestic with the Boboli Gardens behind.

The Renaissance palace, built by the Medici's rival, the banker Pitti, and turned into the main residence of the Medici and then the Grand Dukes of Tuscany, has a number of luxurious ceremonial interiors and an amazing collection of paintings.

• The Palatine Gallery, located in the halls of the palace, is considered the largest art collection in Florence

There are as many as 11 paintings by the great Raphael alone. And also paintings by Titian and Tintoretto, Giorgione and Caravaggio, Rubens and Van Dyck, Murillo...

Another wonderful place, where the lion's share of panoramic photos of Florence are taken is Piazzale Michelangelo in the southern part of the city. The views are breathtaking, and no sightseeing tour will not pass this point.

Where to eat

The author of these lines tried to eat in Florence twice and was dissatisfied each time. It’s not very tasty (store-bought frozen pizza from the Conad supermarket looks preferable), the service is lacking in desire and warmth - there are too many tourists - and the prices... The only consolation is that in Venice it’s even higher.

The most inexpensive pizza in a cafe in Florence will cost 6 euros, a plate of pasta at least 6-7. The check will definitely include a service charge - forget about additional tips.

It makes more sense to treat yourself to a piece of pizza from the window and eat it literally on the go. Which, by the way, is what most tourists do.

Gelato is very average in taste. From 2 € for a miniature horn.

How to get there

It’s not so easy to do this by plane - unfortunately, there are no direct flights from Russia to the Tuscan capital. First you have to get to Pisa or Verona.

You can also get there by car or train: both from other cities in Italy and Europe. All points are covered in more detail in the material.

Florence is rightly called the birthplace of the Renaissance and Renaissance culture. Not every city in the world can boast of the birth and residence of the most famous great personalities that we know about today. Renaissance architecture is still alive, although it was created so many centuries ago; today many buildings in the largest cities of the world are built in this style, despite the dominance of high-tech and modernism. Florence is one of the few cities that can rightfully be called a museum under open air. The city is comfortably located on the banks of the Arno River and is today administrative center Tuscany. As of 2013, the population was just under four hundred thousand people. In the old days, Florence was the capital of the Italian kingdom, which is why today we can see in the city all those beauties in the form of castles, palaces where famous rulers of those times lived, cozy squares along which the local nobility in the form of dukes and duchesses walked.
Today, Florence is among the TOP 50 most fashionable cities in the world and is rightfully considered the most important center of Italian fashion. For decades, the city has been bringing huge profits to the country's treasury due to the endless flow of tourists. Overall, it is the most important economic and industrial center in the country.

Holidays in Florence

Florence is incredibly beautiful! And this concerns not only the sights and antiquities that have survived to this day, but also the location itself - the city, located on the banks of the Arno River, is surrounded by picturesque hills and plains. Considering that three rivers flow through Florence (the Arno, Greve and Terzole), one can only imagine how many bridges and crossings with a long history are provided in the city!

Climate of Florence

Florence's climate ranges between subtropical and Mediterranean. Summer, judging by the weather, lasts from April to mid-October. In winter it is warm, but rainy and therefore damp. There were years when it was really cold in Florence in the winter with rain and snow!
The average daily temperature in the winter months is + 7 degrees Celsius, in the summer months + 23-25 ​​degrees.

Getting to Florence from Russia

The convenient location of Florence (literally in the center of the “boot”) allows you to get to the city by any means of transport if a tourist is traveling around Italy. Before sea ​​coast about a hundred kilometers. The only caveat is that there are no direct flights from Russia to Florence. There are also no direct train or bus flights from major Italian cities. In any case, transplants are needed. The exception is personal or rented vehicles.
Air traffic
The most optimal route is Moscow-Rome-Florence. Several airlines fly passengers on this route - Aeroflot and AllItalia. A round-trip ticket per passenger costs from 15 to 18 thousand rubles (to Rome). Next comes connections with local airlines. You can, in principle, spend a day in Rome and then go to the Italian paradise by train (fortunately, comfortable travel conditions will be provided). High-speed train will deliver to Florence in an hour and a half, a regular one in three and a half. The cost of a one-way train ticket varies from 20 to 40 euros per person. The price will largely depend on the level of the carriage, class of train, distance, etc.
By plane it is more convenient in terms of speed of delivery - all flights land at Amerigo Vespucci Airport. There is a bus to the city center that costs five euros, and a taxi costs around 20-25 euros.
Train ride
There are no direct trains from Russia to Florence, but there are direct trains to Venice, which is also convenient in terms of the opportunity to spend a whole excursion day in this wonderful city on the water. Trenitalia operates direct trains from Venice to Florence. You can also rent a car or go by bus. Travel time Venice-Florence is about three hours. Trains arrive at the central train station of Santa Maria Novella, which is located right in the city center. There is, among other things, another station where trains from cities neighboring Florence arrive.
Bus service
There are also no direct bus services from Moscow or St. Petersburg to Florence. A distance of several thousand kilometers is too great. The only thing is that you can get to any large city The EU is in Germany and from there you can take a bus to Florence. Let’s say from Rome to Florence it takes three hours by bus and the cost is about 20 euros. All buses arrive at the central bus station, located next to the railway station.
By car
Anyone traveling to Florence by car is enviable! In a couple of days on the road, the tourist will see not only the charm of the Alps, sunflower and poppy fields amazing in their scale and beauty, but also the largest European cities. From Moscow you will have to travel through Belarus (along the M1 highway), then to Poland and from there (choosing the most optimal route through cities and countries) to Italy. Without stopping it will take about 30 hours and 2700 kilometers from Moscow.

Transport connections in Florence

There is no metro in the city. This is understandable. Its size is almost ten times smaller than the area of ​​Rome. Trams and buses will be sufficient for transportation. It is also important that all the most interesting things can be seen by walking around the city walking. Almost all the sights and most important tourist sites located in the central part of the city and a little further from it. By the way, the movement of vehicles in historical center significantly limited, which is worth remembering for those who decide to rent a car to travel around Florence.
There are a lot of buses. Even too much for such a small city. There are about a hundred routes. Impressive, isn't it? Eco-friendly electric buses operate in the city center, the distinctive feature of which is their small size and designation (C1, C2, C3 and D). The main carrier is a state-owned company - ATAF, which offers passengers a unified system of ticket prices. The price for an hour and a half journey (during this time you can get on and off the bus as many times as you like) is 1.20 euros. A daily subscription will cost five euros, a three-day subscription will already cost 12 euros. For tourists planning to stay in Florence for a week or more, a seven-day pass costs 18 euros. At night, the cost of tickets increases - from eight in the evening to three in the morning you will have to pay four euros.
Bus tickets can be purchased at the ATAF special hall at train station, in tobacco kiosks, bars, shops and kiosks selling periodicals. Those who did not have time to purchase a ticket in advance can do so directly from the driver, but more expensive - for two euros.
In Florence, a tram service has recently opened, which was closed more than fifty years ago. Today the line connects the central railway station with the Scandicci area, located on the very outskirts of the city. For tourists, a tram ride is a real opportunity to get to know the city for a small fee. Considering that the tram runs literally every five minutes and the travel time is twenty minutes, you can safely go on a trip.
Florence taxi
A taxi ride requires passengers to pay for literally everything, from calling a car from the hotel to transporting luggage. Boarding - a little more than three euros, calling a car - 2 euros, the fourth and fifth passengers - plus 1 euro for each, luggage - 1 euro. The minimum fee for the route, regardless of distance, is 5 euros. At night and in holidays- expensive. From the airport to the city center you will have to pay about 20 euros, from one railway station to another - 10 euros.
You can get from the airport to the city center and back cheaply and cheerfully using special VolaInBus shuttles. The cost of a one-way trip is 5 euros (round trip about 8 euros). Buses run daily from five in the morning until twelve at night. Their main parking places are: BusItalia bus station, air terminal, Gallery station.

Sights of Florence

Five breathtaking basilicas, more than six majestic churches, beautiful cathedral Santa Maria del Fiore, many museums, galleries and exhibition centers, six palaces from different eras that have survived to this day, seven squares (Piazzas) that are definitely worth visiting when in Florence!
The city is conventionally divided into two parts. This conditional division is based on the flowing Arno River and the location of the areas on both sides of it. The historical center is located on the northern side of the Arno. By the way, the historical center is included in the list world heritage UNESCO.
The historical center of Florence - the holy of all saints
It is better to start your journey around the city, namely its historical part, from Duomo Square. Literally a step away from it is the bell tower, created by the great Giotto, belonging to the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore. The entire historical center is one big architectural masterpiece! It’s definitely worth taking a day, or even two, to calmly and without haste wander through its cozy romantic streets and admire all the beauties.
Most of the architectural creations belong to such famous personalities as Brunelleschi, Donatello, Milecangelo and other great architects.
San Lorenzo is a unique area of ​​the city
Another interesting area from a tourist point of view is San Lorenzo, where there is a lively trade in absolutely everything, from souvenirs to jewelry. What interesting things will a tourist see in San Lorenzo? Firstly, the temple, built in the fourth century, where representatives of the Medici clan are buried. Secondly, this is the huge monastery of San Marco, amazing in its architecture, and thirdly, the most famous market in the area.
Santa Croce
The area is located east of the central part of the city. The main attractions include the Church of Santa Croce, which local residents rightfully consider the city’s main architectural pearl. Three palaces (Spinelli, Cocchi-Serristori, Antella) will amaze with their beauty and scale. Also in this area is the house where the architect and great painter Giorgio Vasari once lived. The area is optimal in terms of tourist accommodation - prices for hotel rooms are not too high, and the historical center is practically a stone's throw away.
Oltrarno area
The Ponte Vecchio bridge leads to another remarkable area - Oltrarno, where there are many galleries, exhibition halls, museums, cozy restaurants, whose chefs will delight tourists with wonderful Florentine specialties. What is definitely worth a visit in Oltrarno is the temple of Santa Maria del Carmine, where the walls are decorated with incredibly beautiful frescoes. By the way, there are several temples in the area and each of them will impress in its own way.
The largest concentration of monasteries, churches with beautiful architecture and the most important artistic value is in the Coverciano area.

Mini-trip around Florence

If you take bus number 7, you can get to an attractive, cozy and very beautiful city Fiesole, which is literally within walking distance from Florence. From any point there is a wonderful view of both the valley where Florence is located and the city itself.
Buses run from Florence throughout the Tuscan region. You can arrange a good trip to cities such as Pisa, Siena, and visit the coastal area Tyrrhenian Sea. The bus station is located next to the central railway station, from where departures regional buses. Let’s say you can get to Siena in just an hour and pay about 8 euros for a ticket. It is easier and more interesting to travel to Pisa by train. Cost - 8 euros, travel time - about one and a half hours.
Pedicabs - a little bit of Asia in the heart of Italy.
Many tourists are surprised by the presence of pedicabs on the roads of Florence. This is the direction of transportation in last years is actively developing. The cost of a trip for two adults (or one adult and two children) is 15 euros; a walk for an hour will cost 45 euros. By the way, you can ride for free - a lot of volunteers happily agree to work without pay.
A piece of England in Florence - double-decker red buses with a Russian-language audio guide invite you to travel!
Florence also has its own double-decker “English” red buses that ply along the main tourist routes. It is possible to use an audio guide in Russian. There is a discount system for married couples with children. There are three bus lines in the city - A, B.C. A “package” of tickets for one adult will cost 20 euros. The cost of two-day trips is 25 euros, three-day trips are 30 euros. A ticket for a child will cost twice as much. By the way, when buying a ticket to sightseeing bus, you can also use it on regular buses and trams.
Riverboat rides: a romantic and exciting journey through Florence.
River trams (or pleasure boats) with a capacity of up to forty people ply along the main river of Florence - the Arno. You can explore the city from an unusual angle, but the fact that it is beautiful, fascinating and interesting is an indisputable fact. A wonderful panorama, beautiful landscapes open from the water and leave indelible impressions. The only time of year when ships do not sail along the Arno and do not carry tourists is winter. The rest of the time the river flow is calm and walks on the water are carried out regularly.
Here's what you can really do to explore Florence - rent a bike!
There are a lot of bike paths in the city, given its small size. In total there are about eighty kilometers of trails for lovers active rest and two-wheelers are provided by local authorities. Bicycle rentals are available at the central train station and in the Via Ghiberti area. The rental is open from March to October all days of the week except Sunday.

Internet, telephony, Wi-Fi

An interesting fact is that Florentines, and Italians in general, practically do not use the Internet in public places. Wi-Fi needs local residents there is no special one, so the service is designed exclusively for visiting tourists from Russia, China and America. If you want to use wireless access to the global network in hotels, you will have to pay from five to seven euros daily. True, some hotels offer free access in Internet. This information must be clarified at the stage of booking rooms. There are practically no Wi-Fi points in restaurants and cafes either.

Firenzecard

In Florence, a bonus card, the Firenzecard, is popular among tourists who dream of exploring it inside and out upon arrival in the city while simultaneously visiting museums, galleries and exhibition halls. Its cost is 72 euros, it lasts 3 days and includes free admission to seventy-two museums! What are the benefits of purchasing this card? First of all, the possibility of free access (without standing in kilometer-long queues) to any museum. Secondly, the Firenzecard will undoubtedly pay off if you plan to visit most of the city’s museums (the average cost of a museum ticket for a visitor is 6 euros). You can buy a card at any museum ticket office or on the seller’s website.

Florentine cafes and restaurants

The city has a huge number of cafes, restaurants, trattorias where you can have a great lunch, dinner or just have a light snack. The restaurants operate a table reservation system. This should be done especially in the most popular restaurants in the city; coming and having dinner without a “reservation” is not always possible. The average check per person in a restaurant is 40 euros.
The prices for meals are more affordable in trattorias. And the most affordable price tag will, of course, be in pizzerias. But if you want to eat practically for free, and even eat to your heart’s content, then it’s only in tavola kalda - something like our canteens, only tastier, more satisfying. The only “but” is that the “canteens” start working from lunch until five to seven in the evening. In general, a tourist can have a snack for five to seven euros, and lunch for 15-18 euros per person.
The “golden rule” of gastronomy is that the historical center does not have the best restaurants and cafes in terms of food quality and cost. Around the Duomo there is generally a tri-road, so it’s worth not being lazy and taking a walk for a snack from the center to less busy areas, for example, Oltrarno or Santa Croce - this is where a gastronomic paradise really awaits tourists at an affordable price.

There is a lot about Florence interesting facts, which you definitely need to know about when traveling to this wonderful Italian city.
It’s hard to believe, but it’s true: Michelangelo, Petrarch, Leonardo da Vinci, Botticelli and many other outstanding personalities were born and lived in Florence!
The heraldic symbol of the city is the iris, which grows in its surroundings.
For six years, Florence was the capital of the Kingdom of Italy (1865-1871).
The language that all Italians speak today appeared thanks to Dante. It was he who wrote his "Divine Comedy" in the Florentine dialect.
In the city church of Santa Croce there is a tombstone that became the prototype for the creation of the New York Statue of Liberty. In general, Santa Croce is famous not only for its tombstone. It was after the writer Stendhal visited this spiritual monastery that the world-famous Stendhal Syndrome appeared. Stendhal Syndrome is characterized by: rapid heartbeat, a feeling of floating in the air, dizziness, and a high probability of loss of orientation. It usually occurs at the moment of acquaintance with works of art, when a person tends to be transported into the reality depicted in a picture or on the walls.
And the church also has very beautiful and famous frescoes by Giotto, about three hundred tombs with the burials of great Italian personalities, and the flooring itself is laid with tombstones. At one time, Stendhal described his condition after visiting the Church of Santa Croce: he felt dizzy, stopped breathing, was on the verge of losing consciousness from all the beauty and grandeur that he had to see within the walls of the spiritual temple.
The statue of David, installed in Piazza della Signoria, is an exact copy - the original, due to the high probability of its destruction, was transported to the Academy of Arts.
The Pitti Palace houses a whole collection of paintings made in the impressionist style. It was in Florence in the 19th century that the Mariaoli painting school was opened, where students painted their canvases in this style, which is famous today.
Many visitors to the city are surprised by the six-pointed Star of David, which is an ornament on most buildings in Florence. In fact, attitudes towards Jews this star it doesn’t - in the last century it was used exclusively as an ornament without any semantic background.
The flood that hit the city in 1966 left an indelible mark on its history - many architectural monuments were damaged, collections of ancient books were lost. Today, the fact that water in some areas of the city reached four meters is reminded by signs installed on buildings indicating the water level.
In the suburbs of Florence there is the tomb of Galileo Galilei, so well known to us. It is noteworthy that the tombstone depicts the satellites of Pluto, but not the main discovery of the genius - solar system. This instruction was given by the Pope. Isaac Newton was born on the day Galileo died.
By the way, after the flood, essentially the main gate of the Baptistery - the “Gates of Heaven” - was damaged. They had to be replaced with an exact copy, which today can be seen at the entrance. By the way, the same copy of the gate was installed in St. Petersburg in the Kazan Cathedral.
It is in Florence that you can see the largest synagogue in Italy, the beauty of which will literally take your breath away! Inside the synagogue there is a museum and a restaurant serving kosher food. The synagogue is rarely closed - on Shabbat, for example, it does not function even for the Jewish population.
Fyodor Mikhailovich Dostoevsky wrote his famous “The Idiot” in Florence, where he lived for two whole years.
Few people know that there is an Orthodox church in the city, built in the seventeenth century in the traditional architectural style.
If you want to have fun, you can go to the Church of Santo Spirito, located on the left bank of the Arno River, closer to night. It is not far from the church that city youth constantly gather, performances by artists of various styles are held, dances are held in the Italian style, and cozy cafes and restaurants beckon with their aromatic dishes.
The best panoramic views Florence will open up to tourists if you walk along Viale Den Colli.
In Florence, many hotels open summer terraces, where you can not only admire the beauty of the city, but also have a pleasant aperitif. And the snacks in Florence restaurants are divine! And it is absolutely not necessary to be a guest of a hotel with a summer terrace. For example, every Thursday at half past eight in the evening, the Grand Hotel Minerva from June to August invites everyone to summer terrace, open on the roof! The tourist will have a stunning view of the city, each element of which can be examined in detail through telescopes (installed on the roof). Also as a “bonus” - live music and songs performed by Florentine musicians,
If you want to see Brunelleschi's dome with your own eyes, which will literally open in full view, you should definitely go up to the panoramic platform located on the roof of Rinascente - one of the most famous department stores in the city.
There is an ancient bridge in Florence that survived completely even after the destruction of the Second World War. The date of its construction is 1345. The bridge is called Ponte Vecchio.
Road signs installed in the city will definitely cheer up everyone! The images are so original that they involuntarily bring a smile to your face.
What you should definitely try when in Florence are flour products and dishes made from meat by-products. This is actually the basis Italian cuisine- the food of Tuscan peasants, so they prepare it with trepidation and some kind of special love.
Most beautiful park The Medicea di Pratolino can be seen in this wonderful city. The central element of the park-estate is the Apennine collos - a majestic statue, striking in its beauty and size! The inside of the statue is hollow; a staircase is provided to reach its different levels. You can look at the city, for example, from the eye. Interesting, isn't it? By the way, it is in this park that exhibitions and theatrical performances are often held.

The name of the city translates as “blooming”. And this is the true truth! No other city has such a large number of living plants, flower beds, and breathtaking floral compositions. Natural beauty is richly flavored with architectural beauty, well-groomed, grandeur and served to guests, which is why the emotions and impressions of a Florentine holiday remain in the memory for many years, and you want to visit good old Florence again to plunge into its incredible beauty.