Facts about Florence, the home of the Renaissance

The unrivalled capital of European culture, Florence has the great privilege of being considered one of the most beautiful cities on the continent. It’s also a city that will educate you, as it’s teeming with monuments, statues and artistic works that have marked it out as a definitive landmark in fine arts. These are just some of the reasons why Florence is a cultural gem.

In the middle of the 19th century Florence was the capital of Italy for 6 years, following straight after Turin and coming before Rome.

From the 14th century, under the dynasty of the Médici family, Florence became the epicentre of the renaissance. The Médicis were the Signoria (governing authority) and greatly propelled many types of culture. It’s principally down to them that Florence is considered to be a pillar of modern culture.

Hitler liked El Ponte Vecchio (The Vecchio Bridge) so much that he ordered his troops not to bomb it, therefore it was the only construction that remained standing during the Second World War. This bridge also withstood the extensive flooding of the River Arno in 1966.

If you go, you have to pay a visit to La Fontana del Porcellino (The Porcelain Fountain). Legend says that it brings good luck and the coins rubbed on the snout of the boar have ensured it’s the only part of the statue that’s still shiny and burnished. How will the luck serve you?

Michelangelo’s sculpture of David, that can be seen in the street in the Plaza de la Señoria is a replica. To see the original you have to go to la Galería de la Academia de Florencia (the Florentine Academia Gallery). Michelangelo carved his famous David into a slab of marble, which had been previously disposed of.

Every year on the 8th September the terrace of the cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore opens to the public, to commemorate the laying of its foundation stone. On this day it’s free to pass through here and you can enjoy impressive panoramic views of Florence from a height of more than 30m.

Urban Florence is full of mysteries and legends about crimes, murders and apparitions. We recommend that you sign up to one of the fantastic tours, where you can find out about mysterious Florence. A walking tour that will send shivers down anyone’s spine!

You can’t miss out on grabbing a drink in Le Giubbe Rosse. This local café has brought the best of Florentine culture together since the 19th century. Now you can even attend concerts, literary evenings and exhibitions here.

Discover this cultural gem, get a feeling of the Italian renaissance on the tour From Madrid to Heaven.

Translated by Francesca Martin