image: Francesco Lastrucci


FLORENCE


HISTORY Founded by the Romans in 59 BCE, Florence flourished during the medieval period as a banking and trading center. By the 15th century, it was one of Europe’s most powerful cities under the influence of the Medici family, whose immense wealth financed artistic and intellectual innovation on an unprecedented scale. Walking through Florence today feels


like moving through a living history book. The Duomo, the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, dominates the skyline with Brunelleschi’s revolutionary terracotta dome. Completed in 1436, the engineering remains a feat even by modern standards. Climbing to the top rewards visitors with views across terracotta rooftops and the Tuscan hills beyond. Nearby, Piazza della Signoria remains


the political heart of Florence. This elegant square has witnessed centuries of triumph, conspiracy and upheaval. Statues stand like open-air history lessons, including a replica of Michelangelo’s David outside Palazzo Vecchio, Florence’s fortress-like town hall. Crossing the Ponte Vecchio offers another


encounter with Florence’s layered past. Spanning the Arno River, the 14th-century bridge is lined with jewelry shops. Hidden above them is the Vasari Corridor, a secret elevated passageway built for the Medici rulers to move discreetly between palaces. Yet Florence’s history isn't solely grand


or glamorous. The city has endured political turmoil, religious extremism and devastating natural disasters — most notably the catastrophic flood of 1966 that damaged countless artworks and manuscripts. The international restoration effort that followed became one of the largest cultural preservation projects in history. One of the city’s greatest strengths is the


Palazzo Pitti, built in 1458, was once the home of the powerful Medici family


way history naturally integrates into daily life. Residents still gather in centuries-old piazzas, church bells ring out across the city and artisans continue to practice traditional crafts in workshops tucked behind ancient facades. Rather than preserving the past behind glass, Florence lives within it.


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