Florence’s Fondations
Florence’s foundations date back to 59 BC, where it was established as a Roman solider settlement under the rule of Julius Caesar. A short while later , the area became known as Colonia Florentina, which interprets as the flourishing colony. Positioned on a main road linking Rome to France, it was certainly in the right place to flourish. In the 13th century it became an important trade centre with powerful artists ‘ guilds trading in products like wool and silk through Europe.
It was actually the Florentine financiers that were first to introduce paper money with the famous coins, Florentine Florins. Even today, a number of these original banks are still in operation in Tuscany ; many under the first name.
There were many well off families throughout Florences history, but the one that stands out the most must be the Medici family. They were financiers who became influential rulers in Florence and Tuscany for over three centuries. From their position of power and status they commissioned artists and building projects throught Florence, and in the fifteenth century Lorenzo “the Magnificent” de Medici came to be known as the Prince of the Renaissance. If you’d like to visit Florence, book your Appartement Florence before your departure.
Since this period, Florences culture has traditionally been that of an open-minded, progressive and inventive nature. It is said that this mixed with the beautiful Tuscan country, inspired and incentivized Florentine artists a great deal. This will explain why throughout time, Florence has been home to a great number of iconic architects, painters, sculptors, writers and other artists. The most renowned of these include : Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, Giotto, Dante, Machiavelli, Fra Angelico, Botticelli, Raphael,, Brunelleschi, and Donatello. A huge number of the worlds masterpieces by these artists and many others can be seen in Florence today.
At this point the name may have been as much a wish as a truthful statement. But an enduring bridge is built across the Arno at Florence early in the initial century ad. Situated on the primary route down the centre of Italy, linking the wealthy northerly plains to the seat of power in Rome, Florence is well placed to flourish. Don’t forget booking your Hotel Florence
But the town’s real enlargement, at the cost of its neigbours, didn’t begin till the the late Middle Ages. Fiesole was violently seized in 1125 – beginning a process of enlargement which ultimately absorbs the whole of Tuscany.
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