Agni TRAVEL - enjoy Greece, Italy, Turkey and Cyprus

There is more to see and do in Florence, one of the world's most influential and beautiful cities, than can possibly be covered in a visit of one or two days. A treasure house of Art and Architecture, a Mecca for shoppers, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a short visit needs some advance planning in order to get the most out of it. Follow our suggestions.

Florence (ital. Firenze) is the capital of the region of Tuscany. Founded by the Etruscans in the 5th century BC as Fiesole, it became a Roman colony in 59 BC with the name of Florentia. The Middle Ages in Europe and particularly in Italy were a time of great turbulence, a time when power changed hands rapidly through siege and war, through plague and natural disasters. Florence survived it all, to become known as the Athens of the Middle Ages and to be the birthplace of the Renaissance. A centre of medieval trade and finance, it was long ruled by the de Medici family.
In 1865 Florence became the capital of a united Italy, a position which lasted only five years however. Wars have taken their toll of the beautiful city in the past, not least the Second World War, and disastrous flooding of the River Arno has left its mark too, most recently in 1966. The industrious natives of Florence however have always repaired the damage, and the buildings of the Old City remain the epitome of Italian elegance and innovative style.

With so much to see, and limited time available, planning is important. Remember that many museums, galleries and palaces are closed on Mondays, and that the most popular ones, such as the Uffizi Gallery, attract large crowds. To avoid waiting in a long queue it is often possible to make an advance booking, by phone or on-line.
The centre of Florence is incredibly crowded and busy and driving a hire car is not recommended within the city. Be prepared to walk (you can join a guided walk if you wish), or even to rent a push-bike. Most of what you want to see is within a 20-minute walk, and there are no hills! Taxis are available but difficult to flag down - get a hotel or restaurant to call one for you.
- The Duomo (Cathedral): Amazing architecture with a dazzling cupola by Brunelleschi. Nearby is Giotto's Tower from which there is a fantastic view over the city if you can face climbing 414 steps, and the Baptistery, famous for its magnificent bronze doors.
# Piazza della Signoria, almost an outdoor museum with its statues including the replica of Michelangelo's David and the striking Fountain of Neptune. Still the centre of Florence's civic life, with magnificent buildings dominated by the Palazzo Vecchio.
- Ponte Vecchio, the ancient bridge across the River Arno - the only bridge in Florence to survive WWII - with shops crowding along it, and an ancient walkway above. It makes a jaw-dropping sight, especially when viewed from one of the other bridges. There is something quite Chinese about the impossibly crowded jumble of buildings and swarms of people, all poised above the river.
- San Lorenzo, the mausoleum and chapel of the great de Medici family.
- The Uffizi Gallery, one of the world's greatest museums, began life as magistrates' offices in the 16th century, hence the name Uffizi meaning 'offices'. Botticelli's 'Birth of Venus' and Michelangelo's 'Holy Family' are just two of the exhibits. This is one museum where advance booking is essential.
- Accademia dell' Arte del Disegno: this is where the original sculpture of David by Michelangelo is to be seen, together with his great unfinished work, 'Slaves'.
- Bargello Museum, once a barracks and prison, this austere building houses some of Italy's finest masterpieces, including works by Michelangelo, Donatello, Cellini and the della Robbia family.
- The Pitti Palace and The Boboli Gardens: this vast palace, formerly the residence of the grand-dukes of Tuscany and later of the kings of Italy, now houses a number of art collections. It is set in the Boboli Gardens, a fine early example of Italian landscape gardening, filled with sculpture. fountains and grottoes.
- The Church of Santa Croce is the largest Franciscan church in the world and the burial place of many eminent and illustrious Italians, including Michelangelo, Galileo, and Rossini.
- Other sights include the homes of Michelangelo and Dante, the house where Robert Browning and his wife Elizabeth Barrett Browning lived for almost 20 years, and a tiny museum where many of da Vinci's engineering inventions have been re-created.

Obviously, replicas of Michelangelo's 'David' are to be bought everywhere, but thankfully there is much more to shopping in Florence than that. Leather goods in fine, supple materials, elegantly worked, include shoes, handbags and belts, but don't expect bargains in the chic Gucci, Prada, Versace, Armani and Ferragamo shops. Big-name discount outlets are, however, to be found near Florence - full details available on-line.
Florence is full of bookshops where exquisite handmade writing materials can be bought; including journals and notebooks with that gorgeous Florentine paper swirled in gold and other colours.
Beware: The police in Florence are very vigilant about fake designer goods, and if you are caught buying a 'knock-off' item, you could be faced with a huge fine

With so much to see and do in the city, taking time out for a leisurely meal may not be high on the list of priorities. There is always an opportunity, however, for a coffee and a snack at one of the cafes in the splendid Piazza della Signoria, or perhaps at the balcony restaurant/cafe on the first floor of the Uffizi Gallery - a wonderful view.
Don't miss the chance to try one of the famous ice-creams that are a speciality of the city.

All the following persons were born between 1265 and 1475, a great flowering of talent that would influence the world for ever much as fifth century BC Athens did:
- Dante Alighieri, considered to be one of the greatest poets that ever lived.
- Boccaccio, writer
- Brunelleschi, trained as a goldsmith and sculptor, later became influential architect
- Lorenzo di Medici, statesman, ruler and patron of the arts
- Donatello, sculptor
- Della Robbia, sculptor
- Amerigo Vespucci, sailor and explorer after whom both North and South America are named.
- Benvenuto Cellini, sculptor, goldsmith, author, soldier, hooligan and possibly even murderer!
- Leonardo da Vinci, all round genius
- Niccolo Machiavelli, political philosopher, musician, poet and romantic playwright
- Michelangelo Buonarroti, artist, sculptor and poet
More recent famous people include:
- Florence Nightingale was born in, and named for, the city of Florence. Her parents were travelling in Italy at the time (1820)
- Franco Zefirelli, actor, costume designer, film and theatre director, born in 1923
- Emilio Pucci, couturier and fabric designer
- Guccio Gucci, founder of the Gucci leather business, born 1881
- Oriana Fallaci, born 1930, writer and journalist
- Roberto Cavalli, born 1940, designer