Historical Florentine Hotel in the heart of Florence
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.
The ornate renaissance building which houses Mario’s Hotel dates back to the 17th century, when it was the aristocratic residence of a noble of the great Florentine Republic and was converted into a hotel in 1872. Today, Mario's is still run by a Florentine family who have been in the hospitality industry for generations. Leonardo and his brothers will make sure that the 3 Star Hotel Marios continues to remain the value for money, charming Florentine Guest House for which it is famous. Now refurbished and improved, through continuous change Mario’s Guest House is a perfect blend of charm and splendour from the cradle of the renaissance with modern customer service and with only 16 rooms we’re able to give each and every guest personal service.
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.
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.
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 riservatealla 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.
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.
OUR STAFF WILL OFFER YOU A NICE STAY FOR THIS UNIQUE EVENT!!!
FIRENZE MARATHON, A 42 KILOMETERS AND METERS LONG EMOTION.
Meeting on Sunday November, 28th 2010
with the 27th edition of the International classic road race
The wrapping glamour of centuries of art, history and culture accompanies you step by step along the 42 kilometres and 195 meters of the Florence Marathon. A unique emotion which can be told only by those who have run in Florence and which has made the classic race of Florence an appointment that cannot be missed by thousand of sportsmen and enthusiasts who each year punctually come from all over the world on the last Sunday in November. The Florentine event has gained exponential importance during the recent years, so much that on last November 29th on the occasion of its XXVI edition a new record of participants has been achieved with over 10.166 runners (7.425 Italians and 2.741 foreigners) coming from 57 countries.
The record of the men’s race has been established by the 24-year old Kenyan James Kutto who won his race in 2h08’41”: fourth time ever for the winner of an Italian marathon. A record has been achieved also with regard to the number of athletes crossing the finishing line: 8.206 runners. Amazing numbers, in witness of a development both numerical and qualitative, which has transformed the Florence Marathon into the second Italian marathon second to the Rome race.
An event, which is not only a sport event, but also a custom and cultural enchanting event. This is the common feeling joining thousands of runners and shared by the large audience of Raitre channel, watching the three-hour live broadcast of the XXVI Florence Marathon by Tgs-Raisport. This is the fifth consecutive year dedicated by Rai to the live broadcast of the Florentine event, as well-deserved appreciation of the growing importance this event has achieved during the recent years. Mentioning numbers only, however, won't convey the right value to a marathon which has now reached full excellence as to its organizational level and which can boast an exceptional stage such as the city of Florence, unique in the world for its beauty and atmosphere.
The Florence Marathon is the main road race event taking place in Tuscany, which together with Rome is rightly by now the most important international marathon in Italy and among the first 20 marathons in the world as far as quality and number of participants. The event inaugurated by Orlando Pizzolato, multi-winner of the New York Marathon, has been attended during the years by some of the main Italian athletes such as Giacomo Leone, Francesco Ingargiola, Michele Gamba, Fabio Rinaldi, Denis Curzi and Angelo Carosi, in the men’s field, Tiziana Alagia, Gloria Marconi, Florinda Andreucci, Bettina Sabatini, Anna Rita Incerti and Vincenza Sicari, in the women’s field, just to mention a few, besides top-ranking foreign runners. James Kutto, Kenyan beginner over the long distance, who crossed the finishing line in 2h08’41 “, exceeding the record established by his compatriot Daniel Kirwa Too in the year 2001, with 2h10’38”, has established the men’s record of the event in the year 2006. On the contrary, the women’s record has been established during the 2002 edition by the Slovenian Helena Javornik, winning with the excellent time of 2h28’15”.
THE ROUTE
The Florentine route follows landscape views and monuments of singular beauty, which made the city famous worldwide. A route touching the most fascinating places in Florence, such as piazza del Duomo, piazza della Signoria, Ponte Vecchio and many other roads and squares rich in history and culture, before ending in the solemn majesty of piazza Santa Croce. The path is fully surfaced and ramp-free, exception made for the slightly sloping stretch of road at the start. Those characteristics make it particularly flowing and appreciated by all the athletes.
Stay at Hotel Mario's!!! Our staff will help you in food and wine tasting......in living Tuscan customs!!!
Tuscan cuisine has a great tradition in the culture of the region. Tuscan people love good food. The cuisine is characterized by simple dishes made from healthy ingredients.
Among the characteristic features of Tuscan cuisine, we can find olive oil of excellent quality and the wise use of spices such as thyme, sage, rosemary, basil and tarragon. These spices are found in a variety of dishes, soups, meats, fish and desserts.
Tuscan culinary tradition is strongly influenced by the characteristics typical of the Tuscan landscape itself. Local seasonal vegetables such as fennel, artichokes, garlic and tomatoes are widely used. The humble bean, which grows beautifully in Tuscany, is used in many different ways to get tasty dishes such as beans with pork sausage.
Among other interesting local ingredients are the chestnuts, mushrooms, game (wild boar and pheasant) and fish from the Tyrrhenian Sea. These dishes are complemented by local wines such as Chianti and Brunello di Montalcino.
Many dishes have a close bond with poor cuisine of the past, a cuisine based mainly on the use of imaginative Tuscan unsalted bread and typical food of the times when people could not help but use their wits to make the best products available.
Tuscan cuisine includes also developed and sophisticated dishes. These include meats with a "dolceforte" ("sweet and strong") preparation, coming from the splendor of the Renaissance courts, where astounding guests was more important that satisfy the palate!
Every city has its own specialties. And this is easily found if one considers the many sweets and cakes typical holiday: the Gingerbread and Ricciarelli of Siena, the Cantucci of Prato (Prato typical sweet almond), the Chestnut (sweet chestnut flour typical of Lucca), the Zuccotto (typical of Florence) and Pie with Bischeri (a sweet Easter period, typical of Pisa, with rice, candied fruit, chocolate, raisins, pine nuts and liquor).
As known, Merisi painted, for Maffeo Barberini, a Sacrificio di Isacco (1603, Florence, Uffizi) where the sacrificial action takes place in full sunlight. In many copies the same subject is treated in night-time light, possibility to hypothesize the existence of a lost archetype by Caravaggio. Coming from a Neapolitan private collection, this painting was sold by Christie's in 1989 as “copy of Caravaggio”, with an attributive proposal to Tommaso Salini by Giuliano Briganti. The reading of the canvass however was jeopardized by oxidized paints and vast repainting. After the purchase, a first radiographic investigation showed as the knife’s execution overlapped the hand and the sleeve – main topic in the execution technique by Caravaggio. But before the necessary cleaning, the painting disappeared in the antiquarian market’s meanders. Still in 1989 Mina Gregori recognized in the painting in Barbara Piasecka Johnson’s collection Caravaggio autograph of the night-time Sacrificio di Isacco, identifying it with the work inventoried in 1700 among Doña Antonia Cecilia Fernàndez de Hijar’s goods. Provocatively published by Maurice Marini as “copy?”, this work was found in 2006 in Modena private collection. Restored in 1995, it was submitted to diagnostic analysis in 2007. Compared to Johnson’s version’s investigations, the results demonstrate a concomitant free hand execution in the two paintings because of the presence of work in progress homologous repentances. The two autograph versions differentiate in the choice of the night moment, nearer to the dawn in Johnson painting. A copy of this painting is exhibited in the Cathedral at Castellammare di Stabia. Another one is at Panafiel (Valladolid, Spain), probably sent in his feud by Don Pedro Giron, Spanish ambassador in Rome up to 1616 and probably the first owner of the work. He was also viceroy in Naples, where he left the “night-time” original, once back to Spain in 1620.
Hotel Mario's............the place of Florentine style!!!
Florence has a legendary artistic heritage. Cimabue and Giotto, the fathers of Italian painting, lived in Florence as well as Arnolfo and Andrea Pisano, renewers of architecture and sculpture; Brunelleschi, Donatello and Masaccio, forefathers of the Renaissance, Ghiberti and the Della Robbias, Filippo Lippi and Angelico; Botticelli, Paolo Uccello and the universal genius of Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo.
Their works, together with those of many other generations of artists, are gathered in the several museums of the town: the Uffizi Gallery, the Palatina gallery with the paintings of the "Golden Ages", the Bargello with the sculptures of the Renaissance, the museum of San Marco with Fra Angelico's works, the Academy, the chapels of the Medicis, Buonarroti' s house with the sculptures of Michelangelo, the following museums: Bardini, Horne, Stibbert, Romano, Corsini, The Gallery of Modern Art, the Museo dell'Opera del Duomo, the museum of Silverware and the museum of Precious Stones. The "Circumcision of Jesus", a Renaissance painting by Andrea Mantegna.
Great monuments are the landmarks of Florentine artistic culture: the Florence Baptistery with its mosaics; the Cathedral with its sculptures, the medieval churches with bands of frescoes; public as well as private palaces: Palazzo Vecchio, Palazzo Pitti, Palazzo Medici Riccardi, Palazzo Davanzati; monasteries, cloisters, refectories; the "Certosa". In the archeological museum includes documents of Etruscan civilization. In fact the city is so rich in art that some first time visitors experience the Stendhal syndrome as they encounter its art for the first time. The 15th century early-Renaissance frescos in the Cappella dei Magi in the Palazzo Medici-Riccardi.
The Florentines – perhaps most notably Filippo Brunelleschi (1377–1466) and Leon Batist'Alberti (1404–1472) – invented both Renaissance and Neoclassical architecture, which revolutionized the way Rome, London and Paris and every other major city in Europe – from Barcelona to St. Petersburg – were built. The cathedral – one of the largest churches, topped by Brunelleschi's dome, dominates the Florentine skyline. The Florentines decided to start building it – late in the 13th century – knowing they did not know how they were going to do it. It was "technology forcing" – like the Kennedy Administration's decision to put a man on the moon. The dome was the largest ever built at the time, and the first major dome built in Europe since the two great domes of Roman times – the Pantheon in Rome, and Hagia Sophia in Constantinople. As a matter of fact, as mentioned in sections above, the Santa Maria del Fiore dome remains the largest brick dome of its kind in the world. In front of it is the medieval gem of the Baptistery, where every Florentine was baptized until modern times. The two buildings incorporate in their decoration the transition from the Middle Ages to the Renaissance. In recent years, most of the important works of art from the two buildings – and from the wonderful Bell Tower, designed by Giotto, have been removed and replaced by copies. The originals are now housed in the spectacular Museum of the Works of the Duomo, just to the east of the Cathedral.
Florence has large numbers of art-filled churches, such as San Miniato al Monte, San Lorenzo, Santa Maria Novella, Santa Trinita, the Brancacci Chapel at Santa Maria della Carmine, Santa Croce, Santo Spirito, SS Annunziata, Ognissanti and many more. The Palazzo della Signoria, better known as the Palazzo Vecchio (English:The Old Palace).
And that is without mentioning any "artists". From Arnolfo and Cimabue to Giotto, Nanni di Banco, and Uccello; through Lorenzo Ghiberti, and Donatello and Massaccio and the various della Robbias; through Fra Angelico and Botticelli and Piero della Francesca, and on to Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci, the Florentines have dominated the visual arts in a great way. And this list does not include many who, in any other place would be considered among the greatest of artists, but in Florence must be considered among the near-great: Benvenuto Cellini, Andrea del Sarto, Benozzo Gozzoli, Domenico Ghirlandaio, Fra Lippo Lippi, Buontalenti, Orcagna, Pollaiuolo, Filippino Lippi, Verrocchio, Bronzino, Desiderio da Settignano, Michelozzo, the Rossellis, the Sangallos, Pontormo, just to name a few. And this list does not include the prolific Ignoto. Nor does it include the near-Florentines, such as Raphael, Andrea Pisano, Giambologna, the wonderfully nicknamed Sodoma and so many more, such as Peter-Paul Rubens — all of whom spent time in Florence and were nurtured by it. The statue of Perseo by Cellini in the Loggia dei Lanzi.
Then there are the art galleries. The Uffizi and the Pitti Palace are two of the most famous picture galleries in the world. But the heart and soul of Florence are in the two superb collections of sculpture, the Bargello and the Museum of the Works of the Duomo. They are filled with the brilliant, revolutionary creations of Donatello, Verrochio, Desiderio da Settignano, Michelangelo and so many other masterpieces that create a body of work unique in the world. And, of course, there is the Accademia, with Michelangelo's David – perhaps the most well-known work of art anywhere, plus the moving unfinished statues of the slaves Michelangelo created for the tomb of Pope Julius II.
In all, Florence has a great and numerous amount of museums. Among those at the top of most lists – other than those above – are: the impressive medieval city hall, the Palazzo della Signoria (a.k.a Palazzo Vecchio), a wonderful building with magnificent rooms and some great art; the Archeological Museum, the Museum of the History of Science, the Palazzo Davanzatti, the Stibbert Museum, St. Marks, the Medici Chapels, the Museum of the Works of Santa Croce, the Museum of the Cloister of Santa Maria Novella, the Zoological Museum ("La Specola"), the Bardini, and the Museo Horne. There is also a wonderful collection of works by the modern sculptor, Marino Marini, in a museum named after him. If photography is your interest, you should not miss the superb collection of works by the early photographers, the Alinari brothers. The magnificent Strozzi Palace is also the site of many special exhibits.
Hotel Mario's is very near to the most important spots in Florence!!! Ask the staff and your stay will be amazing!!!
Santa Maria del Fiore: The fourth largest church in Europe, its length being 153 metres (502 ft) and its height 116 metres (381 ft).
San Giovanni Baptistery: Located in front of the Florence Cathedral, it is decorated by many artists, notably by Lorenzo Ghiberti with the Gates of Paradise.
Basilica of Santa Maria Novella: Located in Santa Maria Novella square (near the big Firenze Santa Maria Novella railway station) this contains works by Masaccio, Paolo Uccello, Filippino Lippi and Domenico Ghirlandaio. The great façade was made by Leon Battista Alberti.
Basilica of Santa Croce: The principal Franciscan church in Florence, Italy, and a minor basilica of the Roman Catholic Church. It is situated on the Piazza di Santa Croce, about 800 metres south east of the Duomo. The site, when first chosen, was in marshland outside the city walls. It is the burial place of some of the most illustrious Italians, such as Michelangelo, Galileo, Machiavelli, Foscolo, Gentile, Rossini, and Marconi, thus it is known also as the Temple of the Italian Glories (Tempio dell'Itale Glorie).
San Marco: A complex comprising a church and a convent. The convent, which is now a museum, has three claims to fame: during the 15th century it was home to two famous Dominicans, the painter Fra Angelico and the preacher, Girolamo Savonarola. Also housed at the convent is a famous collection of manuscripts in a library built by Michelozzo.
Basilica of San Lorenzo: One of the largest churches of Florence, Italy, situated at the centre of the city's main market district, and the burial place of all the principal members of the Medici family from Cosimo il Vecchio to Cosimo III.
Santo Spirito: Located in the Oltrarno quarter, facing the square with the same name. The building on the interior is one of the pre-eminent examples of Renaissance architecture.
Orsanmichele: This building was constructed on the site of the kitchen garden of the monastery of San Michele, now gone.
Santissima Annunziata: A Roman Catholic basilica and the mother church of the Servite order. It is located on the north-eastern side of the Piazza Santissima Annunziata.
Ognissanti: Founded by the lay order of the Umiliati, this was among the first examples of Baroque architecture built in the city. Its two orders of pilasters enclose niches and windows with fantastical cornices. To the left of the façade is a campanile of thirteenth and fourteenth-century construction.
Santa Maria del Carmine: in the Oltrarno district of Florence, it is famous as the location of the Brancacci Chapel, housing outstanding Renaissance frescoes by Masaccio and Masolino da Panicale, later finished by Filippino Lippi.
Santa Trinita: It is the mother church of the Vallumbrosan Order of monks, founded in 1092 by a Florentine nobleman. Nearby is the Ponte Santa Trinita over the river Arno. The church is famous for its Sassetti Chapel, containing notable frescoes by Domenico Ghirlandaio.
Medici Chapel in San Lorenzo: The Medici Chapel are the resting place of most of the Medici as Grand Dukes of Tuscany. One is the Sagrestia Nuova, the "New Sacristy", designed by Michelangelo. The other is the Capella dei Principi, the 16th and 17th-century "Chapel of the Princes", which is entirely covered with a revetment of colored marbles inlaid with pietra dura.
San Marco: Comprises a church and a convent. The convent, which is now a museum, has three claims to fame: In the 15th century, it was home to two famous Dominicans, the painter Fra Angelico and the preacher, Girolamo Savonarola. Also housed at the convent is a famous collection of manuscripts in a library built by Michelozzo.
Santa Felicita: is a church in the downtown, probably the oldest in the city after San Lorenzo. Badia Fiorentina Famous as the parish church of Beatrice Portinari, the love of Dante's life, and the place where he watched her at mass, for Dante grew up across the street in what is now called the 'Casa di Dante', rebuilt in 1910 as a museum to Dante.
San Gaetano: One of the most important examples of the Baroque style in Florence, a city better known for its Renaissance architecture.
San Miniato al Monte: Standing at one of the highest points in the city, this has been described as the finest Romanesque structure in Tuscany and one of the most beautiful churches in Italy.
Florence Charterhouse: A charterhouse, or Carthusian monastery, located in the Florence suburb of Galluzzo, in central Italy. The building is a walled complex located on Monte Acuto, at the point of confluence of the Ema and Greve rivers.
Great Synagogue of Florence: A magnificent synagogue built between 1874 and 1882. The design integrates Islamic and Italian architectural traditions.
Reserve a room at Hotel Mario's!!! The staff is very helpful and gives you many advices!!!
The city lies on the River Arno and is known for its history and its importance in the Middle Ages and in the Renaissance, especially for its art and architecture. A centre of medieval European trade and finance and one of the richest and wealthiest cities of the time, Florence is considered the birthplace of the Italian Renaissance; in fact, it has been called the Athens of the Middle Ages. It was long under the de facto rule of the Medici family. From 1865 to 1870 the city was also the capital of the Kingdom of Italy.
The historic centre of Florence attracts millions of tourists each year and was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1982. Florence is widely regarded as one of the most beautiful cities in the world, and its artistic, historic and cultural heritage and impact in the world remains vast up to this day. The city has also a major European impact in music, architecture, education, cuisine, fashion, philosophy, science and religion. The historic centre of Florence contains numerous elegant squares (piazzas), Renaissance palaces (palazzi), academies, parks, gardens, churches, monasteries, museums, art galleries and ateliers. The city has also been nominated, according to a 2007 study, as the most desirable destination for tourists in the world.
The city boasts a wide range of collections of art, especially those held in the Pitti Palace and the Uffizi, (which receives about 1.6 million tourists a year). Florence is arguably the last preserved Renaissance city in the world and is regarded by many as the art capital of Italy. It has been the birthplace or chosen home of many notable historical figures, such as Dante, Boccaccio, Leonardo da Vinci, Botticelli, Niccolò Machiavelli, Brunelleschi, Michelangelo, Donatello, Galileo Galilei, Catherine de' Medici, Antonio Meucci.
Meeting on Sunday November, 28th 2010 with the 27th edition of the International classic road race The wrapping glamour of centuries of art, history and culture accompanies you step by step along the 42 kilometres and 195 meters of the Florence Marathon. A unique emotion which can be told only by those who have run in Florence and which has made the classic race of Florence an appointment that cannot be missed by thousand of sportsmen and enthusiasts who each year punctually come from all over the world on the last Sunday in November. The Florentine event has gained exponential importance during the recent years, so much that on last November 29th on the occasion of its XXVI edition a new record of participants has been achieved with over 10.166 runners (7.425 Italians and 2.741 foreigners) coming from 57 countries. The record of the men’s race has been established by the 24-year old Kenyan James Kutto who won his race in 2h08’41”: fourth time ever for the winner of an Italian marathon. A record has been achieved also with regard to the number of athletes crossing the finishing line: 8.206 runners. Amazing numbers, in witness of a development both numerical and qualitative, which has transformed the Florence Marathon into the second Italian marathon second to the Rome race. An event, which is not only a sport event, but also a custom and cultural enchanting event. This is the common feeling joining thousands of runners and shared by the large audience of Raitre channel, watching the three-hour live broadcast of the XXVI Florence Marathon by Tgs-Raisport. This is the fifth consecutive year dedicated by Rai to the live broadcast of the Florentine event, as well-deserved appreciation of the growing importance this event has achieved during the recent years. Mentioning numbers only, however, won't convey the right value to a marathon which has now reached full excellence as to its organizational level and which can boast an exceptional stage such as the city of Florence, unique in the world for its beauty and atmosphere.
Grand Prix are easily the biggest open events the DCI offers. They're high-energy and held around the world. Plus, no invitation is necessary – anyone can attend. No pro points? No problem. Playing a good game is all that matters, and with Pro Tour invitations down to 16th place and cash prizes all the way down to 64th place, one thing is certain: a Grand Prix is sure-fire great time. Plus each participant gets an alternate art Umezawa's Jitte. Players or teams with high ratings or Pro Players Club levels can earn byes for Grand Prix tournaments. You can also earn byes at Grand Prix Trials. Major Magic: The Gathering events are held around the world every year. Find a location near you and see how you stack up against the best players in the world! Grand Prix tournaments are open to the public. Pro Tours and World Championships are invitation-only for the main event but feature multiple open tournaments as well. Choose Hotel Mario's for your stay at Florence: the hotel is three minutes walking from Fortezza da Basso and ten minutes from the most important places in the town.
Hotel Mario's suggests a further visit: Boboli Gardens. They were not famous until the land became the property of the Medici family, who called in Niccolò Pericoli, known as Tribolo, to design them; this artist created a masterpiece of "landscape architecture" between 1550 and 1558. Parks in Florence: BoboliThe park, on the property of the Pitti Palace, was planned to occupy a scenographic setting on the slopes of the Boboli hill (covering 320.000 square metres) and also had access from the square. The park was enriched with many Mannerist inventions by Buontalenti (like the Grotta Grande), fountains and statues by Ammannati, Giambologna and Tacca, and was eventually completed by Giulio and Alfonso Parigi (1631- 1656). The two architects, father and son, carried out the stone Amphitheatre, the unique setting for many celebrated theatrical performances, the cypress alley known as the "Viottolone" and the square and pool of Isolotto. The last additions, like the Coffeehouse (1774-76), the Lawn of the Columns (1776) and the Lemonary (1785), were later installed by the Lorriane family. Pietro Leopoldo decided to open the garden to the public in 1776. The design of the Boboli Gardens was used as a basis for all the royal gardens in Europe, including Versailles.
Florence is the capital city of the Italian region of Tuscany. It is the most populous city in Tuscany and has a population of 364,779. The city lies on the River Arno and is known for its history and its importance in the Middle Ages and in the Renaissance, especially for its art and architecture. A centre of medieval European trade and finance, the city is often considered the birthplace of the Italian Renaissance; in fact, it has been called the Athens of the Middle Ages. It was long under the de facto rule of the Medici family. From 1865 to 1870 the city was also the capital of the Kingdom of Italy. The video begins at the Basilica of Santa Croce which is the largest Franciscan church in the world. Its most notable features are its sixteen chapels, many of them decorated with frescoes by Giotto and his pupils, and its tombs and cenotaphs. It is the burial place of some of the most illustrious Italians, such as Michelangelo, Galileo, Machiavelli, Foscolo, Gentile, Rossini, and Marconi. Next it was over to the L-shaped Square Piazza della Signoria in front of the Palazzo Vecchio. The various eye-catching statues in this square include: a copy of David, the Fountain of Neptune and Hercules and Cacus. Next we walked through the narrow courtyard between the Uffizi Gallery's two wings. Next it was past Ponte Vecchio, a Medieval bridge over the Arno River. The video concludes at The Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore, the cathedral church (Duomo) of Florence, Italy. The basilica is notable for its dome designed by Filippo Brunelleschi, its exterior facing of polychrome marble panels in various shades of green and pink bordered by white.
The bridge spans the Arno at its narrowest point where it is believed that a bridge was first built in Roman times,when the via Cassia crossed the river at this point.The Roman piers were of stone, the superstructure of wood. The bridge first appears in a document of 996. After being destroyed by a flood in 1117 it was reconstructed in stone but swept away again in 1333 save two of its central piers, as noted by Giovanni Villani in his Nuova Cronica.It was rebuilt in 1345, Giorgio Vasari recorded the tradition in his day, that attributed its design to Taddeo Gaddi,besides Giotto one of the few artistic names of the trecento still recalled two hundred years later. Modern historians present Neri di Fioravanti as a possible candidate. Sheltered in a little loggia at the central opening of the bridge is a weathered dedication stone, which once read Nel trentatrè dopo il mille-trecento, il ponte cadde, per diluvio dell' acque: poi dieci anni, come al Comun piacque, rifatto fu con questo adornamento. The Torre dei Mannelli was built at the southeast corner of the bridge to defend it.
The bridge consists of three segmental arches: the main arch has a span of 30 meters (98 ft) the two side arches each span 27 meters (88 ft). The rise of the arches is between 3.5 and 4.4 meters (11½ to 14½ feet), and the span-to-rise ratio 5:1.
It has always hosted shops and merchants who displayed their goods on tables before their premises, after authorization of the Bargello (a sort of a lord mayor, a magistrate and a police authority). The back shops (retrobotteghe) that may be seen from upriver, were added in the seventeenth century.
It is said that the economic concept of bankruptcy originated here: when a merchant could not pay his debts, the table on which he sold his wares (the "banco") was physically broken ("rotto") by soldiers, and this practice was called "bancorotto" (broken table; possibly it can come from "banca rotta" which means "broken bank"). Not having a table anymore, the merchant was not able to sell anything.
During World War II, the Ponte Vecchio was not destroyed by Germans during their retreat of August 4, 1944, unlike all other bridges in Florence.This was allegedly because of an express order by Hitler. Access to Ponte Vecchio was, however, obstructed by the destruction of the buildings at both ends, which have since been rebuilt using a combination of original and modern design.
In order to connect the Palazzo Vecchio (Florence's town hall) with the Palazzo Pitti, in 1565 Cosimo I de Medici had Giorgio Vasari build the famous Vasari Corridor above it. To enforce the prestige of the bridge, in 1593 the Medici Grand Dukes prohibited butchers from selling there; their place was immediately taken by several gold merchants. The corporative association of butchers had monopolised the shops on the bridge since 1442. A stone with an inscription from Dante (Paradiso xvi. 140-7) records the spot at the entrance to the bridge where Buondelmonte de' Buondelmonti was murdered on behalf of the Amidei, in 1215, initiating the urban fighting of the Guelfs and Ghibellines.
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