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Revision as of 07:42, 5 January 2002
Florence is an Italian city with around 400,000 inhabitants who know it as Firenze. The history of Florence began with a settlement of under the Roman Empire, and the city flourished during the late middle ages of Europe (largely due to the activities of merchant bankers). Indeed it is said by many that that the Italian renaissance began here. Florence was long ruled by the Medici family and it was host to the first Italian parliament.
Florence and the Renaissance
Florence was one of the richest & least feudalized of any of the other European cities during 1300-1600, It was probably due to this, that the city would be considered in later years (and even in its heyday) to be the birthplace of (at the very least) the Italian Renaissance. The surge in artistic, literary and scientific investigation that occured in Florence during this time period was precipitated by a preoccupation that Italians had with money and with the display of wealth and leisure. Added to this, were some famously demoralizing excesses of the Catholic church (Especially the controversy over the French Avignon Papacy & the Great Schism) along with the dreadfully demoralizing effects of the Black Death. Because of these factors, Medieval values no longer applied and were replaced by those of classical antiquity. Florence would profit both literaly and culturally from this change in social consciences.
A Tour of Florence
At the heart of the city is the Fountain of Neptune, which is a masterpiece of marble sculpture at the terminous of a still functioning Roman aqueduct.The Arno River, which cuts through the old part of the city, is as much a character in Florentine history as many of men who lived there. Historically, the locals have had a love hate relationship with the Arno -- which alternated from nurishing the city with commerce, and destroying it by flood. Many of the bridges across the Arno were built by the Romans. One of the bridges in particular, however, stands out as being unique -- The Ponte Vecchio, whose most striking feature is the multitude of shops built on it. First constructed by the Etruscans in ancient times, this bridge is the only one in the city to have survived World War II intact. The most famous palace in the city is San Lorenzo, which had become a monument to the Medici family who ruled Florence during the 15th century. This palace contains many priceless works of art created by such men as Donatello and Michelangelo. However, the crowning jewl of Florence is the domed cathedral of the city, known as The Duomo.
Notable people from the city
Lorenzo de Medici, Michelangelo, Niccolo Machiavelli
The city's principal football team is Fiorentina.