About this experience
Florence has survived the fall of the Roman Empire, invasions of barbarian tribes, bloody wars of the Middle Ages, radical restructuring at the end of the 19th century, and even the revenge of the retreating Nazi army, when the city almost lost its historical appearance and art monuments. I will help you savor this 'layered pie' of Italian history and navigate the sea of ancient monuments.
What to Expect
Florence is a city filled with legends and chilling stories that every stone, pavement, and even marble on magnificent facades can tell.
Often you can come across a building here, the history of which begins with an ancient Roman foundation. A feudal lord's house was erected on it, later destroyed to become the foundation for a palace of the republican government. New inhabitants are expelled by a tyrant ruler who rebuilds the building into a luxurious ducal residence. It falls into oblivion for several centuries, only to become a parliamentary palace in the capital of the new united Italy, and in our days plays the role of the city hall and museum! Such is the fate of the Old Palace, one of the symbols of Florence, and this is just a small fraction of what we will learn during a three-hour walk with full immersion in the history and architecture of this amazing city.
During the walk, you will explore:
- the spiritual center of the city - the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore with the bell tower by Giotto and the Baptistery of San Giovanni, where Dante was baptized;
- Republic Square - a landmark and geographical center of the city, adorned with a Statue of Plenty;
- monumental palaces of the nobility on the most fashionable street in Florence;
- the ancient Square of the Holy Trinity with a column brought from Roman baths;
- medieval alleys that Dante described in the 'Divine Comedy';
- the famous Uffizi Gallery - a center of tourist attraction (you will of course only see the building from the outside);
- Signoria Square and the Old Palace (Palazzo Vecchio) - the focal point of the political life of medieval Florence, the scene of public executions and triumphs;
- numerous picturesque corners of the old city.
I will teach you to navigate the sea of ancient monuments, you will easily recognize the Florentine marble style and distinguish the Tuscan column from, say, a Doric one, which, you will agree, is pleasant. I will also provide enough interesting information for you to be able to freely navigate the history of the city and all its temporal layers.
Organizational Details
- In the summer, a scarf on the shoulders is required to visit the cathedral
- Midway through the route, we can have a snack at one of the Florentine sandwich shops or cafes (5-10€ per person)
