Medici Florence: discover who were the Medicis and what role did the Medici family play in Florence with this unique itinerary
When you come to Florence, you will definitely hear many, times the name of the Medici family. The Medici family was undoubtedly the most important of the Florentine families, as they managed to take over control of the local government already during the 1430s. Later on, with time, they became the Dukes of Florence and […]
Florence Palazzo Pitti: what to see? Here are some tips for your visit
Are you planning four days in Florence and looking for must-see attractions? Among the city’s many wonders, Palazzo Pitti is undoubtedly one of the top answers to the question “what to see in Florence?”: once a powerful symbol of ducal authority, this immense private residence served for centuries as the palace of the Grand Dukes […]
Florence Bridges: unveiling the beauty and the tales of the Arno’s majestic arches
Did you know that for me, one of the most fascinating areas in Florence is actually the area of the Arno River and the bridges that connect both sides of the city? This is because Florence, as we know it today, would never exist without the Arno River. In fact, the direct access to water […]
Eleonora di Toledo: life of a Duchess
To this day, the way we learn European history is still male-centred. It is not surprising then, that the history of the Medici family focuses mostly on the male members of the family: Cosimo the Elder, Lorenzo the Magnificent, Cosimo I and his two sons Francesco and Ferdinand. Yet, the story of the female members […]
San Miniato al Monte
medieval spirituality in art and architecture San Miniato al Monte is one of the most precious monuments of Romanesque architecture in Florence. Its geometrical façade decorated with white and green marbles, its unique spiritual atmosphere and the stunning view from its terrace make of San Miniato a compulsory sight during a visit to Florence and […]
The Magi Chapel in the Palazzo Medici
the Magi and the Florentine politics Christmas is coming! Most of us wait impatiently for the arrival of the winter festivities! Who doesn’t love Christmas, with its atmosphere filled with magic, soft lights and unique flavours of Christmas dishes? The celebrations of Christ’s nativity is one of the most important and most ancient Christian feasts. […]
Poggi’s Ramps
a walk through nineteenth-century Florence Poggi’s ramps, connecting Lungarno Benvenuto Cellini with the Piazzale Michelangelo has been recently restored and inaugurated on 1 June 2019. This conservation project retrieved a piece of the city, which for such a long time remained inaccessible. Today we can again climb the ramps, enjoy the shade of this beautiful […]
Certosa del Galluzzo
art and spirituality in Florence On the South of the city, at the top of the Monte Acuto, Florence is guarded by the monumental structure of the Certosa del Galluzzo, the Carthusian monastery established here at the end of the fourteenth century; the place of silence, meditation and spirituality. I love visiting this place and […]
Hike on Monte Ceceri in Florence
a walk between nature and history Florence is undoubtedly one of the world’s capitals of cultural tourism. The number of museums and rich artistic collections astonishes anybody who comes to visit this unique place. Not everybody know, however, that around Florence you can easily organize hikes and walks in nature as well. My favourite hike […]
Sant’Ambrogio church
a hidden gem in Florence One thing is certain: in Florence we cannot complain about scarce access to the cultural sights. Here we breathe history literally at every corner. Despite this incredible richness, it is still very difficult to convince many travellers that it is worth abandoning the beaten path. Many hidden gems wait for […]
Is pasta Italian?
Italy, food and history History is not a list of dates, names, wars, winners and losers. History talks also about people who lived on our planet, about their ideas, thoughts, feelings, emotion and their life style. This is why also local cuisine and gastronomic culture is a part of our history. By looking at our […]
“Medici. Masters of Florence” and the life of a Renaissance family
Story of Lucrezia Tornabuoni choosing a bride for Lorenzo il Magnifico Have you ever watched any episode of the series Medici. Masters of Florence? The first season of this American-Italian production was broadcasted in 2016. The series is inspired by the history of the Medici family and their rise to power during the fifteenth century. […]