Florence

Florence is the symbol of the Renaissance, the period when art and culture flourished again which, in the XV century characterised Italy. Dante, Petrarch and Macchiavelli contributed abundantly to Florence’s literary heritage, while artists like Botticelli, Michelangelo and Donatello made it one of the world’s most famous art capitals.

The city was founded in 59 B. C. by the Romans. In the VI century it was conquered by the Lombards, Florence emerged from the darkness of the Middle Ages as an independent city-state. It was already one of the most powerful cities in Italy and one of the biggest trade centres in the XIII century. Political control was initially in the hands of associations of artisans and merchants and subsequently passed to the Florentine Republic.

Gradually the important noble families took over, the first of them being the Medici, a wealthy dynasty of bankers. For over three centuries the Medici governed the whole of Tuscany and during this period Florence was the cultural and intellectual centre of Europe. Painters, sculptors and architects filled the streets, palaces and churches with the most important works of art of the Renaissance still in existence today. From 1865 to 1871 Florence was the capital of the new kingdom of Italy.

AllAboutItaly Hotel Recommendation:
- Starhotels Michelangelo: Newly renovated 4 star luxury hotel, located across from Cascine Park and the famous Lungarni in Florence.
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- Starhotels Tuscany: Reopened in March 2005 fully equipped with cutting-edge technology. Luxury 4 star hotel located in Firenze Nord, just minutes from the old city center.
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- Starhotels Vespucci: Luxury 4 star hotel strategically located in Campi Bisenzio and across from the "I Gigli" shopping mall in Florence

Florence Cathedral Commentary

"The construction of the dome of Florence Cathedral (was) one of the germinal events of Renaissance architecture...The problem had been posed in the middle of the fourteenth century when the definitive plan for the octagonal crossing had been laid down. The diameter of the dome at 39.5 metres (130 feet) precluded the traditional use of wooden structuring to support the construction of the vault, while the use of buttresses as in northern Gothic cathedrals was ruled out by the building's design."

—Michael Raeburn, ed. Architecture of the Western World. p130.

Details

1296— Cathedral begun on design by Arnolfo di Cambio.

1357— Project continued on a modified plan by Francesco Talenti

1366-7— Talenti's definitive design emerged calling for an enormous octagonal dome

1418— competition for construction of dome

1420— technical solution for vaulting proposed by Brunelleschi approved and construction begun

1436— church consecrated

Address

On Piazza del Duomo.

The Grand Canal
Worried about high water? Just
bring a good pair of boots

Twilight on the canals












Twilight on the lagoon

Nightime is the best
time in Venice



Nightime from Rialto Bridge



Nighttime at Christmas









Venice

Situated in the extreme north-east of Italy, Venice, rose on the islands of Rivoalto (or Rialto) in 810 when a group of men led by Agnello Partecipazio, left Malamocco, another lagoon centre which had been dominant up to that time to settle on these new islands. Here the real city grew up. In previous eras in fact the refugees from the mainland who had found refuge in the lagoon from the barbarian invasions had not set up autonomous urban centres, convinced that they would return to their original towns.

In this way the often bloody politics of conquest on the mainland of Veneto contributed to the complex historic scenario following the fall and collapse of the Roman Empire. Venice, the Eastern port grew and developed to such an extent that in the X century it became an independent Byzantine province.

Flourishing commerce with the East and the victorious crusade of 1204 gave the city riches and power, which the Europeans and Turks would only combat over time. In the Middle Ages, under the guidance of various Doges, the city extended its power and influence throughout the Mediterranean as far as Constantinople (today Istanbul).

The immense wealth acquired showed itself in the flourishing of art and architecture, the treasures of St. Mark’s alone testify to the influence of the Serenissima as a world power from the XII to the XIV centuries. After slowly losing ground to the new European states, the city fell into the hands of Napoleon in 1797. It finally became part of the Kingdom of Italy in 1866, when for the first time in Italian history the country was unified.

The old buildings in Venice are now used as museums, shops, hotels, and flats and its monasteries house centres for the restoration of works of art.

Along the Canal Grande, which runs through the heart of the city, are marvellous buildings built over a period of more than 500 years which constitute the most precious and spectacular showcase of the city.

MILAN

The "moral capital of Italy" as the Milanese in eternal competition with Rome have always sustained, was founded by the Celti Insubri towards 400 B. C. but with the arrival of the Romans, in eternal battle with the Gauls, it was conquered by them and named "Mediolanum", that is "in the middle of the plain".

Since that time it became the most important industrial and commercial centre in Northern Italy. Milan prospered and declined with alternate events which saw it first dominated by the Lombards, then at the centre of religious struggles and social and political contrasts and later destroyed by the Emperor Frederick "Barbarossa"( 1162), successively it flourished under the rule of the Signoria dei Visconti first and then of the Sforza, in decline under the Spanish domination and reborn under the Austrian until its patriotic re awakening in 1805 which led to the unification of Italy.

Despite this Milan has always managed to make a prominent contribution to the development of the country both culturally and through its industrial and commercial initiatives to the extent that it is still today an example of emancipation and socio-economic progress.

Sunbathing, Swimming, Snorkeling and Scuba Diving at the Seaside in Italy

It was the middle of August, within an hour the sun raised blisters on my fair skin and, wide as the beach was, it was packed shoulder-to-shoulder with incredibly noisy, coconut-scented, scantily-clad Italians. It looked like paradise to me. All these years later, I vividly recall the surprising warmth of the water and the closeness of the crowd. My lungs can still feel the searing air that hung in the streets at midday, when suddenly the only sound was the incessant fizz of the cicadas. I can still smell the drying bathing suits strung across the bathroom I shared with the family whose bedroom I was renting. I remember the thrill of walking out into the waves at midnight, when that impossibly crowded beach was virtually deserted.

I'm glad this was my introduction to the beach, because immediately after my week in Viareggio I took another train ride, all the way to Amantea this time, in the even hotter region of Calabria. Here I was to discover what paradise really looked like. This was another sandy beach, but there were never more than a dozen people using it. The water was opaline, with schools of silvery fish flashing just beneath the surface. A large boulder jutted straight up about a hundred yards from the shore; we would swim out to it armed with pocket knives and lemons, rest a moment, then gleefully pry up spiny sea urchins and eat the tender flesh. I collected so many of their shells that I later covered one entire wall of my Roman apartment with them. It was while hunting for sea urchins that I myself was caught: I poked my nose into a crevasse and suddenly felt something clutching my throat. Terror on the high seas! It turned out to be a baby octopus, and my Calabrian friends were furious with me for throwing the adorable delicacy back into the water.

No matter where you spend it, there is nothing as memorable as a day at the beach in Italy. It's more than swimming or snorkeling or diving or sunbathing. It's a combination of experiences that will leave an indelible mark in your memory. If you go to Italy from May to October, try to plan at least one chance to share this experience, perhaps at one of the paradises we've chosen for you this month.

Livorno,Tuscani

Circeo, Latium

Ponza, Latium


Palinuro, Campania

Maratea, Basilicata

Christmas In Italy

Countless foreigners travel to Italy during the Christmas season, and while they thrill to midnight mass in St. Peter's Square, they often complain that Italy is "not very Christmasy." This is certainly true if you're looking for brightly-lit fir trees, red and green window dressings or plaster reindeer. And although Epiphany, celebrated on January 6th, may actually be a more important holiday than December 25th, the Italians love this season so much that they commemorate it for an entire month, beginning on December 8th.

The period between mid-December and early January was one constant celebration even in pagan Rome. It began with the Saturnalia, a winter solstice festival, and ended with the Roman New Year, the Calends. After Emperor Constantine adopted Christianity, instead of ending the holiday at the New Year, the celebration extended to January 6 when the Three Kings were believed to have reached the infant Jesus, and so the Romans, too, began to exchange presents on the Epiphany.

Today in Italy, Christmas trees are decorated, but the focal point of decoration is the Nativity scene. Italians take great pride in the creation of the manger, created in 1223 by St. Francis of Assisi The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City possesses a presepio from Naples that contains figurines carved from wood, dressed in garments of satin, framed with majestic columns, and 30 angels of the Magi trimmed with gold.

Bagpipes are the most common Italian Christmas sound. The zampognari, the shepherds who play the bagpipes, come down from their mountain homes at Christmas time and perform in the market squares. The playing of bagpipes is popular in the regions of Calabria and Abruzzo, and in the piazzas of Rome. The melodies played are adapted from old hill tunes. Modern zampognari wear the traditional outfits of sheepskin vests, leather breeches, and a woolen cloak. The tradition of bagpipes goes back to ancient Roman times. Legend says that the shepherds entertained the Virgin Mary in Bethlehem. During the holiday season. Today, the zampognari stop before every shrine to the Madonna and every Nativity scene.

Children in Italy believe in a female version of Santa Claus called La Befana, an old woman who flies on a broom and brings presents. According to Italian legend, Three Wise Men asked La Befana for directions to Bethlehem. La Befana was asked to join them but declined three times. It took an unusually bright light and a band of angels to convince La Befana that she must join the Wise Men, but she was too late. She never found the Christ child and has been searching ever since. On January 6, the Feast of Epiphany, La Befana goes out on her broom to drop off stockings filled with treats to all the sleeping children of Italy. Just as children in America leave milk and cookies for jolly Santa Claus, La Befana collects messages and refreshments throughout the night. Click here for an entertaining book about La Befana.