Florence is the capital and most populous city of the Italian region of Tuscany, with 361,625 inhabitants as of 2026. It is also the capital of the eponymous metropolitan province, which counts 988,494 inhabitants.
Florence was a centre of medieval European trade and finance and one of the wealthiest cities of that era. It is considered by many academics to have been the birthplace of the Renaissance, a major artistic, cultural, commercial, political, economic and financial center. During this time, Florence rose to a position of enormous influence in Italy, Europe, and beyond. Its turbulent political history includes periods of rule by the powerful Medici family and numerous religious and republican revolutions.
The city is noted for its culture, Renaissance art and architecture and monuments. The city also contains numerous museums and art galleries, such as the Uffizi Gallery and the Palazzo Pitti, and still exerts an influence in the fields of art, culture and politics.Due to Florence’s artistic and architectural heritage, Forbes ranked it as one of the most beautiful cities in the world.
Florence plays an important role in Italian fashion. and it is a major national economic centre, as well as a tourist and industrial hub and is universally recognized as one of the world capitals of art and architecture.
It’s stunning and breathtaking in every way. We took the #7 bus to the Piazza della Libertà and let Florence unfold as we walked downhill into the historic center. You avoid buses in the crowded center and see almost all the major sights in a logical order.
We passed Piazza San Marco and continued to Piazza San Santa Signoria. (We will tour the Duomo tomorrow)
See the Cathedral, Baptistery, and Giotto’s Bell Tower
Continue down Via Dei Calzaiuoli to arrive at the Piazza Della Signoria
The excavations made in Piazza della Signoria in 1974 and more extensively from 1981 to 1989, have brought to light multilayered archeological evidence of high interest. They have reached our times undisturbed because “sealed” from a certain point under the paving.
The appearance of the area of the first Roman city was that of a residential quarter, divided by paved streets with large houses. On the south side of today’s square traces of the colony walls, have been found. In the great urban restructure that most probably interested most of the meridional part of the city from the end of the I century A.D. onward, the blocks of houses were demolished and the roads erased. In their place monumental public edifices were built: a THERMAL BATH COMPLEX and a FULLONICA (plant for the dyeing of cloth and clothing).
The thermae and the fullonica were connected by a symmetrical column arcade. Other minor edifices occupied the west side including a public latrine.
From the last days of the empire to medieval times various types of structures that the excavations brought to light succeded one another. Among them, of important note, is an impressive paleocristian basilica with three aisles, of which at least two phases were recognised the second of which goes back to the early middle age.
On through the shopping streets and beautiful architecture to the jewelry high street of Ponto Vecchio.
The treasures are endless
Locks of Amore
Not just jewelry, also the finest Italian leather shops…
And the best coffee makers
We continue our exploration of the streets of Firenze…
And street artist selling creations
To the Piazza dei Santa Croce. From the 15th century, Santa Croce has always played a major role in the religious and civic life of Florence, and over the centuries this importance has drawn artists and patrons driven by religious devotion and civic pride who have made Santa Croce a truly unique hub of faith and art.
Santa Croce is home to almost 4,000 works of art ranging from the 13th to the 20th centuries, a living heritage if we consider that in most cases the works are still in the original setting for which they were designed and still perform the function for which they were created.
The high altar, for instance, is surrounded by Agnolo Gaddi’s frescoes illustrating the Legend of the True Cross, a choice dictated by the church’s dedication. The Cross plays a central role in the Christian religion because it symbolises the crucifixion of Christ, the sacrifice that brought salvation to mankind and that lies at the heart of the mass still celebrated on the altar today.
Sadly she is closed for renovations.
Borrowed from their website since we were unable to enter.
Another incredible day in a breathtaking city. Tomorrow we tour the Duomo and have a visit to The David.
