Tuscany, like a fine wine, has been some time in the making...
From the Etruscans to the Romans to the Renaissance, Tuscany is possibly the greatest repository of art in the world, from extraordinary paintings and sculpture to frescoes and architectural masterpieces.
Visitors to Tuscany come for many reasons. Many come in search of fine art, others to explore the extraordinary countryside. Gourmets and wine buffs descend on Tuscany to enjoy the simple yet wonderful cuisine and wine. Walkers enjoy the mountain paths, cyclists the rolling hills, summer vacationers the sea coast and islands. Students come to learn the beautiful Italian language and culture.
There is a lot to see and do in Tuscany, the difficulty is really where to start. Certainly most should start with Florence, then continue on to Siena and Pisa. The roll call of cittą di arte, cities of art, is daunting: Arezzo, Cortona, San Gimignano and Lucca are all striking. The more you come to know the region, the more extraordinary Tuscany appears. FLORENCE TOURIST INFORMATION
Florence (Firenze in Italian) is a town of Etruscan and Roman origins. Very active in the Middle Ages as an independent commune, refined by Renaissance arts and enriched by the Medici family. Cradle of the pure Italian language, of civilization, and art, it is a very important center of culture and tourist destination for its historical remains and for its environmental and artistic suggestions. Florence is also a city of incomparable indoor pleasures.
Its chapels, galleries and museums are among the most famous in the world, (Uffizi, Pitti, Bargello, Accademia etc. ) and its academies boast distinguished origins and glorious traditions; its libraries represent stores of high culture; its theaters were a model of style for all of Europe and the gardens are incomparable examples of Italian garden architecture. An absolutely breathtaking city, Florence has so much to offer the international visitor that every day it is a wonderful experience, full of surprises and delight. The streets of Florence radiate the charm of Italian culture.
The centro storico (historic center), where visitors spend most of their time, is a tight tangle of medieval streets and piazze (squares). Visitors can reach with ease the two most often visited sights, the Duomo and the Uffizi, in less than five minutes. The walk from the most northerly point, San Marco with its Fra' Angelico frescos and the Accademia with Michelangelo's David, to the most southerly, the Pitti Palace across the Arno, should take no more than 30 minutes. From the Santa Maria Novella rail station across town to Santa Croce is an easy 20 to 30 minute walk.
Coming to Florence doesn't mean only visiting monuments, but also shopping, because there is a bit of all and for all pockets. The city is famous for its elegance, stylistic subtleties, windows, and for the most prestigious shops and brands in fashion and shoes and like all big cities, offers visitors an endless sea of choices. Across the Ponte di Santa Trinita opens Via Tornabuoni, the heart of Italy's high fashion, the place where refined taste is at its best. Wonderful shop windows, show rooms, and ateliers of the most famous fashion houses. Shops vary from clothing, shoes, accessories, furriers, leather goods, porcelains etc.
Must see sights:
The Duomo (1436) by Arnolfo di Cambio and by Brunelleschi. Inside are preserved works by Paolo Uccello, Andrea del Castagno).
Opera del Duomo Museum preserves about 7000 pieces including manuscripts, registers, books and other papers / Giotto's bell tower (82 m high) view over Florence / The Baptistry / Piazza della Signoria heart of the city since and is very rich in monuments / Church of San Lorenzo / Church of Santo Spirito rich in works of art / Church of Carmine with several frescos by Masaccio / Santissima Annunziata with frescos by Florentine artists / Spedale degli Innocenti, is the seat of the Pinacoteca (Art gallery) / Basilica of Santa Croce one of the most beautiful Gothic masterpieces of Italy / Santa Maria Novella rich in works of art / Santa Trinita / Palazzo Pitti, seat of many museums of Florence: Palatine Gallery; Appartamenti Reali; Modern Art Gallery; Silverware Museum; Costume Gallery and Chinaware Museum / Boboli Garden a very elegant Italian garden / Bargello Museum best Florentine museum for sculpture lovers / Accademia Gallery with the David by Michelangelo / Galleria degli Uffizi (Uffizi Art Gallery) Houses the world's finest collection of Italian Renaissance painting and outstanding works of other non-Italian schools, antique sculpture, a gallery of self-portraits, and 100,000 prints and drawings / Piazzale Michelangelo with wonderful panorama / San Miniato al Monte, a very romantic spot |
