WELCOME TO MARIO'S HOTEL IN FLORENCE

Welcome to Mario’s 3 Star Hotel in the Renaissance city of Firenze. With a cosy and friendly atmosphere and a great central location, Mario’s is a family run Guest House style hotel which offers comfort and service with a smile to guests from all over the world. Blending the old world charm of Florence in the fixtures and fittings of a 17th century building with the modern luxuries and comforts expected by today’s traveller, The Florentine hotel owners Leonardo and his brothers like to personally afford each and every guest that personal touch and leave you with happy memories of a pleasant and fruitful stay in Florence.

sabato 17 settembre 2011

FIRENZE: PALAZZO DAVANZATI

Façade of the palace.
Palazzo Davanzati is a palace in Florence. It houses the Museum of the Old Florentine House.
Palazzo Davanzati was erected in the second half of the 14th century by the Davizzi family, who were wealthy members of the wool guild. In 1516 it was sold to the Bartolini and, later that century, to the Davanzati family, also rich merchants (1578), who held it until 1838. After the suicide of Carlo Davanzati, it was split into different quarters and modified. After escaping the numerous demolitions of 19th century Florence, it was bought by Elia Volpi, an antiquarian, who restored in (his impression of) the original style.
In 1910, Volpi opened the building as a private museum (Museo Privato della Casa Fiorentina Antica). The contents of this museum kept changing as Volpi sold the furniture at auctions, including in a major sale of 1916 in New York. In the 1920s, Egyptian antique dealers Vitale and Leopoldo Bengujat acquired the building and its contents. In 1951 it was purchased by the Italian state and kept open as a museum. In 1995 it was closed for major restoration to consolidate the building that was falling down. The museum was partially reopened in 2005; the ground and first floors can now be visited.
The palace consists of a facade that unifies a grouping of earlier, medieval tower homes that the owner purchased with the intent to put them together.
It is constructed in sandstone, with three large portals on the horizontal axis, and three stories of mullioned windows. The topmost floor has a loggia supported by four columns and two pilasters that was added in the 16th century. The façade displays the Davanzati coats of arms and has traces of other decorations.
The interior courtyard has arches, vaults, and capitals in 14th century-style.

venerdì 16 settembre 2011

FIRENZE: CAPPELLA BRANCACCI

The Distribution of Alms and Death of Ananias by Masaccio
The Brancacci Chapel (in Italian, "Cappella dei Brancacci") is a chapel in the Church of Santa Maria del Carmine in Florence. It is sometimes called the "Sistine Chapel of the early Renaissance" for its painting cycle, among the most famous and influential of the period. Construction of the chapel was commissioned by Pietro Brancacci and begun in 1386. Public access is currently gained via the neighbouring convent, designed by Brunelleschi. The church and the chapel are treated as separate places to visit and as such have different opening times and it is quite difficult to see the rest of the church from the chapel.
The patron of the pictorial decoration was Felice Brancacci, descendant of Pietro, who had served as the Florentine ambassador to Cairo until 1423. Upon his return to Florence, he hired Masolino da Panicale to paint his chapel. Masolino's associate, 21 year old Masaccio, 18 years younger than Masolino, assisted, but during painting Masolino left to Hungary, where he was painter to the king, and the commission was given to Masaccio. By the time Masolino returned he was learning from his talented former student. However, Masaccio was called to Rome before he could finish the chapel, and died in Rome at the age of 27. Portions of the chapel were completed later by Filippino Lippi. Unfortunately during the Baroque period some of the paintings were seen as unfashionable and a tomb was placed in front of them.

Stay at Hotel Mario's: we help you to enjoy Florentine culture.

Via Faenza, 89
50123 Firenze
Tel. 0039 055 216 801
Fax 0039 055 212 039

sabato 10 settembre 2011

Wine Town 2011 comes to Florence

An exciting new event will combine excellent wine and great food with the chance to visit some of the city’s top artistic venues. It’s the perfect way to tempt the taste buds and nourish the heart.
On September 24 and 25, the 2011 edition of WINE TOWN will be taking the Florence city center by storm. Tourists and locals won’t want to miss cooking demonstrations and wine sampling events aimed at promoting and upholding the territory’s most famed products. The event will take place in various areas, from Palazzo Pitti’s Cortile Ammannati and the Oltrarno District to Florence’s Central Market in San Lorenzo, built by Giuseppe Mengoni in the years in which Florence was capital of Italy. It is still one of the city’s top spots for buying ultra-fresh seasonal produce.
Wine Town showcases evocative places to sample wine; it’s an extravaganza that includes the unforgettable chance to combine wine sampling and artistic enjoyment. From Santo Spirito Church, (created in the mid-16th century by Bartolomeo Ammanati) to the Loggia del Grano commissioned in 1691 by Cosimo de’ Medici and Palazzo Davanzati, one of the most prestigious ancient residences of Florence—there are tons of incredible spots just waiting to be discovered.  Step by step, palace by palace, guests will be intrigued by the men and women who were key to Florence’s history. From old-time banker Piero di Ghino Giucciadini to Filippo Corsini, who served six times as Confaloniere of justice—why not get to know that city’s top historical figures? A good story and a tasty glass of Tuscan red or white, makes for a sure-fire success. 
 
Enjoy Florence and stay at Hotel Mario's.
Via Faenza, 89
50123 Firenze
Tel. 0039 055 216 801
Fax 0039 055 212 039

venerdì 26 agosto 2011

Appuntamento domenica 27 novembre 2011 con la 28^ edizione della classica internazionale di corsa su strada

E’ il fascino avvolgente di secoli di arte, storia e cultura che ti accompagna, passo dopo passo, lungo i 42 chilometri e 195 metri della Firenze Marathon. Un’emozione unica che solo chi ha corso a Firenze può raccontare e che ha trasformato la classica della città del giglio in un appuntamento irrinunciabile per migliaia di sportivi e appassionati provenienti da tutto il mondo, puntuale ogni anno, l’ultima domenica di novembre.
L’evento fiorentino è cresciuto in maniera esponenziale in questi ultimi anni, tanto che lo scorso 28 novembre in occasione della XXVII edizione è stato centrato il nuovo record di iscritti, con 10200  podisti provenienti da 62  paesi. Numeri impressionanti, a testimonianza di una crescita che non è solo numerica, ma anche qualitativa, che hanno trasformato la Firenze Marathon nella seconda maratona italiana, alle spalle soltanto di Roma.
Una manifestazione che non è solo un evento sportivo, ma anche un fatto di costume e di cultura davanti a cui non si può che restare incantati. E’ questa la sensazione che ha accomunato migliaia di podisti e che hanno potuto provare anche i tanti spettatori collegati suRaisport1, per seguire le tre ore di diretta riservate alla XXVII Firenze Marathon dalla Tgs-Raisport. E’ il settimo anno consecutivo che la Rai dedica la diretta alla manifestazione fiorentina, a giusto riconoscimento della crescente importanza assunta dall’evento in questi anni. Parlare solo di numeri, però, non renderebbe il giusto merito ad una maratona che ha raggiunto ormai un livello organizzativo di assoluta eccellenza e che può vantare un palcoscenico eccezionale come Firenze, una città unica al mondo per la sua bellezza e per la sua atmosfera.
La Firenze Marathon è il principale evento di corsa su strada che si svolge in Toscana e, insieme a Roma, è ormai di diritto la maratona internazionale più importante d'Italia e tra le prime 20 al mondo per numero di partecipanti e per qualità.
Il percorso fiorentino si muove attraverso scorci paesaggistici e monumenti di una bellezza unica, che hanno reso famosa la città nel mondo. Un nuovo tracciato che tocca i luoghi più affascinanti di Firenze, come piazza del  Duomo, piazza della Signoria, Ponte Vecchio e tante altre strade e piazze ricche di storia e di cultura, prima di concludersi nella solenne maestosità di piazza Santa Croce. Il percorso è senza dislivelli, come previsto dalle norme IAAF, e sempre su strade asfaltate, caratteristiche che lo rendono particolarmente scorrevole e apprezzato da tutti gli atleti. La Firenze Marathon è inserita nel calendario ufficiale delle maratone internazionali, certificata AIMS e riconosciuta dalla IAAF.

PER IL TUO SOGGIORNO A FIRENZE, HOTEL MARIO'S
Via Faenza, 89
50123 Firenze
Tel. 055 216 801
Fax 055 212 039

NOVEMBER 27, 2011: fIRENZE MARATHON

Sunday, 27th November 2011, is the date of the 2011 edition of the international classic road race, the 28th Florence Marathon. Step by step all along its 42 kilometers and 195 meters you are surrounded by centuries of art, history and culture, a unique emotion that can only be experienced by those who run in Florence. Year after year, thousands of sportspeople and enthusiasts from all over the world come to participate in this classic race on the last Sunday in November. This great event in Florence has increased immeasurably recently so much so that we expect more than 11.500 participants in 2011.
This extraordinary increase in participation also testifies to the constant attention given to the organization of the race. Florence Marathon is now the second Italian marathon (after Rome), and among the 20 most important marathons in the world. The route takes you by all those landmarks of singular beauty that have made Florence famous worldwide: views over the enchanting hills and countryside, and passing right by the Cathedral Square, Piazza della Signoria, Ponte Vecchio (to mention only just a few of historical importance), before entering the majestic Piazza Santa Croce.  The road is entirely asphalted and ramp-free, except for the short, slightly sloping stretch of road at the start, and these characteristics make it a particularly fast route appreciated by runners.

ENJOY THE MARATHON AND STAY AT HOTEL MARIO'S

HOTEL MARIO'S
Via Faenza, 89
50123 Firenze
Tel. 0039 055 216 801
Fax 0039 055 212 039
E-mail: hotelmarios@hotelmarios.com
Internet site: www.hotelmarios.com

sabato 20 agosto 2011

03/11 DECEMBER 2011: Biennale Internazionale dell'Arte Contemporanea

The Florence Biennale was founded in 1997 as a global convocation of artists with all their diversity. It was the right time for an idea like this. By the late 1990s, contemporary art was at a cross road. The old assumptions – that art came in waves, each named with an ‘ism’ by the end, that auction prices equal the value received, that painting was ‘dead’ and so on – those assumptions were collapsing. Suddenly it was obvious that art was alive, thriving, and as varied as humanity. Artists are everywhere. Around that time, in the old Florence, something new was stirring. A committee of Italian artists and curators proposed a biennial where talented and recognized artists could exhibit their latest work. The artists would decide the way of exhibiting their work. The risks were enormous: there had never been a show on this scale with a direct connection between artists’ studios and the exhibition walls. The evaluation of unfiltered results would be assigned to an International Jury. In 1997, with hardly any publicity, the invitations were sent. The response was impressive: 317 artists from 17 different countries.
By 2003, the 4th Florence Biennale had grown into the world’s most comprehensive exhibition of contemporary art, showing more than 800 artists from 70 different countries. This year’s 7th Biennale builds on those numbers and broadens its horizons.
Those expecting a single curatorial vision will be astonished by its polyglot multiplicity. The only curator is who visits the show. Here are 3000 paintings, sculptures, prints and installations. Make your ‘short list’ – there aren’t going to be two lists alike.
Artists at every stage of their careers, including the most eminent artists, play key roles at the Biennale. Their presence is the confirmation that the garden of art yields wondrous fruit when tilled by many hands. Past distinguished recipients of the "Lorenzo il Magnifico" Award for Career Achievement include Chen Cheng-Hsiung (2001, the first Chinese abstract expressionist painter), David Hockney (2003), Christo and Jeanne-Claude, Richard Anuskiewicz (Optical Art in the '60) and Gilbert and George in the 2007. This year Career Awards will be bestowed on Marina Abramovic, and Shu Yong.
The Biennale believes in promoting respect and tolerance among the world’s artists. In 2001, the Biennale was recognized by the United Nations as an official partner in its program, Dialogue among Civilizations. In 2005 features its collaborative association with the Triennale of India, the most important contemporary art exhibition in Asia, and in 2003 with the Turku Biennale in Finland. The interaction of art and science is an ongoing theme of the Biennale. FB03 presented exhibitions of the Vatican Museums Conservation Laboratory and historic Ferrari racing cars. Streamlined speed was again seen in this 2005 show of classic motorcycles by Harley Davidson.
The 7th Edition of Florence Biennale confirm the role of this exhibition in the world of contemporary art, with its 650 artists, 84 nations represented and more than 2500 artworks exhibited. 
 
Stay at Hotel Mario's and enjoy this important exhibition.
Via Faenza, 89
50123 Firenze
Tel. 0039 055 216 801
Fax 0039 055 212 039
Internet site: www.hotelmarios.com

mercoledì 17 agosto 2011

Bigallo - new info point in Florence

Since the beginning of August, at the corner between Piazza del Duomo and Via Calzaioli, in Florence, at the Loggia del Bigallo, there is a new info point, where tourists can find all kind of information, maps, suggestion and support for their stay in Florence.
 It's an amazing infopoint, since the place looks more like a museum than an office.
It's actually also a museumm, that it's possible to be visited for free, but with a reservation calling : +39-055-288496 ( visit from August 6th to December 31st ).
 
 We think is a marvellous thing. So, if you don't get the information you need at Hotel Mario's ( we are usually able to offer the same service here at the desk ) you could go in this new "old" place.

For your stay in Florence, nothing better than Hotel Mario's, a great little charming hotel in the heart of Florence ( near the Duomo the train station of Santa Maria Novella and the San Lorenzo market )