FLORENCE HISTORY AND HIGHLIGHTS

The origin of the city of Florence is very ancient. First foundation goes back to the 8th century BC, when a flourishing and enlightened Etruscan civilization is formed on the bank of the Arno. In the 1st century BC the Roman colony of Florentia was founded over the earlier Etruscan settlement, and preserved till the Middle Age the ancient urban plane, made up of squared-off and uniform lines and a rectangular plane.
With the fall of the Empire and the barbarian invasions of Byzantines and Longobards there was a dark period of decline for Florentia as well as for the other Italian cities. The territory started to rivive in the 8th century during the Carolingian Period when a feudal system was estabilished and the territory become a county of the Holy Roman Empire.
Florence becomes a free commune in 1115, and throughout the next centuries due to its growing importance and the considerable increase in population the city walls will be enlarged for the third times to include vast areas Oltrarno.

The first churches are built, San Miniato al Monte and the Baptistery (11th), faced in polycrome marble according the dictates of the Romanesque style. The medieval city is puntuacted by the large number of stone tower-houses, then erected for militar purpose and later symbols of the power of the Florentine families. Together with the important public buildings, Palazzo Vecchio and the Bargello (13th), built as the headquarters of the city, large religious complex are raised by the religious Orders who gave the medieval Florence an urbanistic boost. The churches of Santa Maria Novella and Santa Croce were built following the new Gothic style as well as the Duomo, and the standing next Giotto's Campanile (13th-14th).
Great artists are at work, such as the architect Arnolfo di Cambio, Giotto and Cimabue in painting, Dante in literature.

During the period between the 13th and the 16th centuries Florence is enriched by architectural and artistic jewels of incomparable beauty.

In the 15th numerous palaces were built by the wealthy Florentine families such as the Medici family who estabilished themselves as Dukes of Florence and under the long rule of which the city continued flourishing in many fields. The majestic Pitti Palace and the Medici Riccardi Palace, date from this period.
It is the early Renaissance, which sees the emergence of three great figures: Brunelleschi in architecture, Donatello in sculpture, Masaccio in painting.
Monuments are inspired by classical art, geometric laws and perspective. Brunelleschi's genius created the magnificent Cupola (dome) of the Duomo, the churches of Santo Spirito and San Lorenzo, the Pazzi Chapel (15th).

In the 16th century Florence "City of Art" reaches its maximum splendor. Late Renaissance sees universal artists as Leonardo and Michelangelo, the latter built the New Sacresty (1516), part of the Medici Chapels, the medicean mausoleum. The David, Michelangelo's sculptural masterpiece, is placed in the Signoria Square as a symbol of the freedom of the city. Later, Vasari built for the Grand Duke Cosimo de Medici the Uffizi and the secret Vasari Corridor, his mannierist masterpiece.

After the decline of the Medici in 1737 Florence is ruled by the Lorraine family till the 1859 when the french-austrian dinasty will be expelled.
In the brief period 1865-1871 Florence will be capital of Italy.