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The triangular Piazza Santa Trinita in Florence

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The Piazza Santa Trinita was once an isolated area outside of the city walls, but came to the forefront in 1175 after the founding of the church and convent of Vallombrosa. It has been named after the church of Santa Trinita which stands on the west side of the square. Standing in the middle of the square is an ancient Roman column known as the Column of Justice due to the sculpture of “Justice” on the top. This massive granite column from the east section of the Baths of Caracalla in Rome was the gift of Pope Pius IV in 1560 for Cosimo I, the first Grand Duke of Florence. Several Renaissance palazzos surround the square, as well as the medieval Palazzo Spini-Ferroni, now the headquarters, flagship store, and museum of famous Italian shoe designer Salvatore Ferragamo.

The piazza is triangular in shape and reflects four architectural styles. Elaborate and fine architectural mansions which were built during the late 14th century by noble families of Florence stand in this square. Three particularly famous mansions exemplify patrician architectural styles over the centuries.

Palazzo Buondelmonti is an typical late medieval/early Florentine Renaissance palazzo with a loggia on the top floor and a façade by Baccio d’Agnolo, while Palazzo Bartolini Salimbeni is a pure late Renaissance example, also by d’Agnolo. The church of Santa Trinitàa has a Mannerist façade added in the very late 16th century by Buontalenti.

The square today marks the beginning of the famous via Tournabuoni, the most luxurious and chic shopping street in Florence.

The Palazzo Vecchio: The town hall of Florence

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The Palazzo Vecchio, the town hall of Florence is a massive, Romanesque, crenellated fortress-palace overlooking the Piazza della Signoria with its copy of Michelangelo’s David statue as well the gallery of statues in the adjacent Loggia dei Lanzi.

Above the front entrance door, there is a notable ornamental marble frontispiece, dating from 1528. In the middle, flanked by two gilded lions, is the Monogram of Christ. A replica of Michelangelo’s David stands at the entrance flanked by Baccio Bandinelli’s Hercules and Cacus.

The first courtyard was designed in 1453 by Michelozzo. The second courtyard, also called “The Customs”, contains the massive pillars built in 1494 by Cronaca. The third courtyard was used mainly for offices of the city. Between the first and second courtyard the massive and monumental stairs by Vasari lead up to the “Salone dei Cinquecento”.

On the walls are large and expansive frescoes that depict battles and military victories by Florence over Pisa and Siena. The ceiling consists of 39 panels also constructed and painted by Vasari and his assistants, representing Great Episodes from the life of Cosimo I, the quarters of the city and the city itself and towards the center is the apotheosis : Scene of His Glorification as Grand Duke of Florence and Tuscany

A staircase, designed by Vasari leads to the second floor. This floor contains the Chapel of Signoria, the Hall of Justice (“Sala delle Udienze”), the Room of the Lilies (Sala dei Gigli), the Study Room and the Apartments of the Elements. These apartments consist of five rooms (such as the Room of Ceres) and two loggias.

The Terrace of Saturn gives a fabulous view of Florence. The Hercules room contains the paintings on the ceiling about Hercules. The tapestries here show stories of Hercules. Also noteworthy are the lion house, the room of Jupiter, the room of Cybele, the Ceres room, Sala Verde, the Room of the Sabines, Dining Room, The Room of Penelope, Private Chamber of Eleanor, and Sala dell’Udienza.

Chapel of the Signoria has a small doorway leads into the adjoining small chapel dedicated to St. Bernard, containing a reliquary of the Saint. There are marvellous frescoes on the walls and ceiling, on a background imitating gold mosaic.

The carved ceiling of the Hall of the Lilies, as this room is usually called, decorated with fleur-de-lys, and the Statue of St. John the Baptist and Putti are all by Benedetto da Maiano and his brother Giuliano. The goldenfleur-de-lys decorations on blue background on the ceiling and three walls refer to the (short-lived) good relations between Florence and the French Crown.

The Hall of Geographical Maps or Wardrobe is where the Medici Grand Dukes kept their precious belongings.

Giotto’s Campanile in Florence

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The Giotto Campanile also known as the Giotto bell tower is part of the Piazza del Duomo complex, and serves as a bell tower tot eh complex’s Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore. Its construction was initiated by Giotto but was finished by Andrea Pisano and later Francesco Talenti.

The tower is a sight to behold with its richly carved sculptures, polychrome marble adornments and further such embellishments. It has a Gothic structure and attracts a large number of tourists. However most of its original statues are not present here. They’ve been replaced by copies, while the originals are preserved the Museo dell’Opera del Duomo.

The three colours of the Duomo, pink, green and white are also the colours of this campanile. Its slender structure resides on a square base of side 14.45 meters or 47.41 ft. its vertical height is as large as 84.7 meters.

The tower is divided into five levels by four horizontal lines that join the four polygonal buttresses at the corners. Out of these five, the first and second is the most sumptuously decorated. The second level features several exquisite statues made by Donatello, Andrea Pisano and Nanni di Bartolo. They are basically prophets of the Bible. The first level is decorated by a number of diamond shaped lozenges.

The third and the fourth offer such a view of the city that no adornments are required to enhance its beauty. You get picturesque views of the Baptistery nearby and the best view of Brunelleschi’s dome in the entire city. The fifth story which is the tallest also features seven bells and a viewing platform.

The Ponte Vecchio bridge in Florence

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The Ponte Vecchio bridge in Florence

Among the best tourist attractions in Florence is the Ponte Vecchio, or old bridge, which happens to be the oldest bridge crossing the Arno River. The bridge survived the World War II and it was reconstructed in 1345 after a flood and shops were added. Initially, the shops on both sides of the bridge were favored by butchers and tanners but later the shops were used to sell gold and silver and the place still holds fame as a top selling point for jewelry as well as tourist souvenirs.

The Ponte Vecchio spans the Arno River from Via Por Santa Maria to Via Guicciardini and is a hot spot for photography in Florence as the bridge offers spectacular views. However, a word of caution here for the tourists would be to be mindful of their belongings and money as the area is a prime target of pickpockets. Be mindful of your belongings when browsing the baubles.

The bridge being a prime location in Florence is beaming with quality hotels like Hotel Continentale, Hotel Hermitage, Hotel Lungarno, Gallery Hotel Art and many more. Pick out the one which suits your needs as well as your pocket.

Parks and gardens in Florence

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Florence is a green city which offers many spots for people to step in and relax in the lap of nature, take a stroll around or enjoy with outdoor activities. Florence has parks ranging from large ones like the Cascine, to tiny ‘pocket parks’ in the neighbourhoods. Here is a list of some of the best known parks of Florence;

Boboli Gardens and Bardini Gardens
Boboli gardens stand at Piazza Pitti and is closed every first and fourth Monday of the month. The Entrance fee is €6 which includes admission to the Bardini Gardens. Bardini Gardens are a favourite of the locals as it features a sweeping baroque stairway, hidden statues, fountains, grottoes, a small amphitheatre and breathtaking views shaded by oak and cypress trees.

Le Cascine
Standing near Porta al Prato, alongside the Arno, on the west side of Florence, Le Cascine was once a private hunting reserve for the Medici dukes. A bike path meanders through the entire park, with plenty of space for rollerblading as well. A bit of advice here would be to avoid the park after dark or on Tuesdays and Sundays when it gets crowded with people.

Giardino Comunale di Borgo Allegri
The park stands at Borgo Allegri 18, in the Santa Croce neighbourhood, nestled between two residential, historic buildings of Borgo Allegri. There are lots of shady trees, and people of all age group flock here. This is also a hot spot for those who love picnicking.

Giardino Alessandro Chelazzi
The park stands near the Piazza dei Ciompi, lies in the heart of the Ciompi antiques area. So, you can first have a look at the antiques in the surrounding area and then can rest in one of the many benches in the shade. The park allows pets inside.

Piazzale Michelangelo
When you go up to the Piazzale Michelangelo from the Torre di San Niccolò, you find on the way scattered along the curving road benches half-hidden among the trees and a magnificent view of the skyline of Florence. The dazzling view of the Duomo, the diverse trademark bell towers of Florence, and the Arno with its graceful bridges is breathtaking.

Japanese Rose Garden
This is one of the most panoramic gardens in Florence offering a breathtaking view of the Florence and the hills. This is a terraced garden with over 1,000 varieties of roses. The Japanese Rose Garden can be reached by following the curving road up to the Piazzale Michelangelo from the Torre di San Niccolò.

Places to visit in Florence

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Florence – the name itself suggests serenity as well as knowledge. The beginning of the renaissance took place here and may be this is the reason why this place is so important. If you are a frequent traveler out to see the world, this is one place that must be included in your list at all costs. Here are a few of the top attractions of Florence.

Il Duomo: This is the cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore and is one of the most famous places here. Built in 1296, this Duomo is Gothic in its design and has a capacity of 20,000 people. The giant dome is one of the masterpieces of the architect Brunelleschi. Green, pink, and white marble has been used to make its exterior.

The Baptistery of John Baptist: This is one of the oldest buildings of Florence and was built in the 11th century. Its original doors made of bronze now reside in the Duomo Museum. However their replacements are also a sight worth seeing. Mosaics cover the interior while the exterior comprises of green and white marble. It also features a marble pavement of Zodiac.

Campanile, Bell Tower: This tower located in Piazza del Duomo is often called Giotto’s Campanile since its first story was designed by Giotto. With a ticket and with much sweat you can climb the tower’s 414 steps to look at spectacular view it features.

The Ponte Vecchio: Built in 1345, this is an old bridge. It is significant since it was the only bridge of Florence that belongs to the medieval times. Also, it is the first bridge to have been built across the Arno River. Shops selling gold and silver jewelry are found along this bridge and it also features a picturesque view of the river and the city.

Boboli Garden: Located in the middle of Florence behind the Pitti Palace, the Giardino di Boboli park is a must visit. Its beautiful surroundings calm your mind and fill you with serenity. It opens daily 8:15 (except some Mondays in winter) while its closing times are seasonal.

The Pitti Palace: This is one of Florence’s largest palazzo. Once the seat of the Medici family, this palace today features 8 different galleries, including art, costumes, jewelry, and apartments. This is another place worth a visit.

These are just the names of a few places that may pique your interest. However, the list of places worth seeing in Florence is not this short. Once you reach your destination you will realize yourself just how magical that place is. If you want your trip to be hassle free and memorable, you should book your hotels in advance before visiting Florence.

Tomb memorial of Antipope John XXIII in Florence

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The Tomb of Antipope John XXIII is the marble and bronze tomb memorial of   Antipope John XXIII designed by Donatello and Michelozzo for the Florence Baptistry close to the Duomo. The memorial was constructed by the executors of Cossa’s will as after his death on December 22nd and 1419. It is known as to be one of the early signs of the start of the Renaissance in Florence. Cossa is known as to be in regular and permanent cooperation with Florence that intercepted him as an approved and right religious head of bishopry as during the Western Schism. The tomb memorial as many a times has been told as the Cossa’s baptistery as connecting him with the spiritually powerful site of the Baptistry. The suggestion of papal symbolism on the tomb and the linkage between Cossa and Florence is referred as discredit to the Cossa’s successor Pope Martin V.

As in the design of the memorial it includes the three virtues in niches, Cossa’s family arms, a gilded bronze recumbent efficy laid out above an inscription-bearing sarcophagus supported on corbel brackets, and above it a Madonna and Child in a half-lunette, with a canopy over all. At the time the construction of the memorial accomplished it was the tallest building in Rome. Antipope John XXIII had an estranged relation with Florence.   Baldassare Cossa was a Neapolitan nobleman who grew up in Bologna. Pope Boniface IX raised Cossa to the Archdiocese of Bologna in 1396 and made him a cardinal in 1402. When the Council of Pisa occurred in 1409, Cossa enforced rebellion against Pope Gregory XII, who there didn’t agree to resign. Cossa was snatched away from his cardinalate, but was restored by Antipope Alexander V, who had been elected by the council. Cossa succeeded Alexander V as John XXIII in 1410. He was approved as Pope by France, England, Bohemia, Prussia, Portugal, parts of the Holy Roman Empire, and many other Northern Italian city states, involving Florence and Venice. When Ladislas of Naples won Rome in 1413, John XXIII was compelled to flee to Florence.  While at further developments he was deposed as John XXIII on May 29, 1415 and elected Pope Martin V on November 11, 1417. He submitted to Martin V on June 14, 1419 and was paid with a cardinal’s hat on June 26, only to die on December 22. However, the Cossa’s tomb as a memorial was made after a decade of his death,

Hotel Savoy, 5 star hotel in Florence

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Hotel Savoy, 5 star hotel in Florence

Hotel Savoy, 5 star hotel in Florence

•  Overview of the Hotel: This particular hotel is located at the center and heart of Florence about certain steps away from the Duomo. At hotel you can have also the museum reservations, conference services, tour bookings and shuttle services. The Savoy Hotel even arrange as museum reservations, conference services, tour bookings, and shuttle services. There fine dining is yet provided at the Savoy’s L’Incontro Bar and Restaurant. The Savoy is the famous square of Piazza della Repubblica, close to the designer shops and boutiques. It is about 15 minute walk from the Santa Maria Novella Train Station. Hotel has about 102 hotel rooms and it is the chain of the Forte Collection.

• Amenities at the Hotel: With respect to general facilities in the hotel they include as restaurant, bar, 24-hour front desk, newspapers, non-smoking rooms, elevator, express check-in/check-out, heating, baggage storage, air conditioning, fitness center. For services in the hotel they involve as room service, meeting/banquet facilities, airport shuttle, babysitting/child services, laundry, breakfast in the room, ironing service, honeymoon suite, shoe shine, car rental, tours desk and ticket service.

• Hotel Rules: With respect to hotel rules they remain common as the universal areas in the hotel, however are adjudged as differ at the various rooms in the hotel. The check in time into the hotel is 14:00 -00:00 hours and the checkout time are 6:30 to 12:00 hours. Cancellation and prepayment policies there vary as according to the room type. Pets are not allowed. The hotel accepts cards as American Express, Visa, Euro, Diners Club, JCB and CartaSi.

• Hotel Room Types and Rates:

Classic Double Room: € 1485 (Per Night)

Loggia dei Lanzi, a illustrious building close to Piazza della Signoria

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The Loggia dei Lanzi, also termed as the Loggia della Signoria, is a building at corner of the Piazza della Signoria in Florence, Italy, close by to the Uffizi Gallery. Architecturally, the building is made and wide open to the street while three bays wide and one bay deep. The arches of the building rest there on clustered pilasters with Corinthian capitals. The wide arches there are so much loved and preferred by the residents of Florentines, that Michelangelo even proposed that they should be continued all around the Piazza della Signoria.

The lively construction of the Loggia there shows a stark contrast to the massive architecture of the Palazzo Vecchio. This is a very effective and an open-air sculpture gallery of antique and Renaissance art. The name Loggia dei Lanzi resembles back to the reign of Grand Duke Cosimo I, when it was employed to keep his formidable landsknechts.  After the formation of the Uffizi at the rear of the Loggia, the Loggia’s roof was advanced by Bernardo Buontalenti and became a terrace from which the Medici princes could see various ceremonies and attractive activities in the piazza.

At the façade of the Loggia, below the parapet, are trefoils with allegorical pictures of the four cardinal virtues, Fortitude, Temperance, Justice and Prudence as made a depicted by the Agnolo Gaddi. Their blue enamelled background is the marvelous work of Leonardo, a monk, while the golden stars there were painted by Lorenzo de’ Bicci. The vault, formed by the semicircles, was constructed by the Florentine Antonio de’ Pucci. At the steps of the Loggia there are situated the Medici lions, two Marzoccos, marble statues of lions, heraldic symbols of Florence, that there is on the right is presented from the Roman times and the was left out by the sculpted by Flaminio Vacca in 1598. It was originally, there placed at the Villa Medici in Rome, but found its final spot in the Loggia in 1789.

There at the side of the Loggia is locate a Latin inscription as from 1750 aliasing the change of the Florentine calendar in 1749 to bring it as aggressively close to the Roman Calendar. Underneath the bay on the far left is the bronze statue of Perseus by Benvenuto Cellini[4]. It shows the mythical Greek hero holding his sword in his right hand and holding up triumphantly the Medusa’s decapitated head in his left.

At the back of the Loggia, there are about five marble female statues as of (Matidia, Marciana and Agrippina Minor, Sabines and a statue of a barbarian prisoner Thusnelda from Roman times from the era of Trajan to Hadrian. All sculptures were discovered in Rome in 1541.

Villa La Vedetta, 5 star hotels in Florence

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Villa La Vedetta, 5 star hotels in Florence

Villa La Vedetta, 5 star hotels in Florence

•    Overview of the Hotel: The hotel is situated in close location from the and a few steps down the river and other attractive sights in Florence.  The hotel is located in a neo-renaissance villa at a peaceful and soothing part of the Florence. At the hotel you will get the exclusive facilities like Jacuzzi, a panoramic outdoor swimming pool with bar service and a terrace giving an extraordinary view of the city. One can have the delicious food at its gourmet restaurant. Hotel also provides a free shuttle service into Florence. The hotel has total 18 rooms and it is the chain of the Concerto Hotels.

•    Amenities at the Hotel:
With respect to amenities in the hotel, it includes the general services as restaurant, bar, 24-hour front desk, newspapers,      grounds, terrace, non-smoking rooms, rooms/facilities for disabled guests,         elevator, express check-in/check-out, safe, soundproofed rooms, heating,         baggage storage and gay friendly. For services in the hotel it includes as services like room service, meeting/banquet facilities, babysitting/child services, laundry, ironing service, currency exchange, shoe shine, car rental,        tour desk, fax/photocopying and ticket service.

•    Hotel Rules:
There a general rules prevails at the common areas of the hotel Villa La Vedetta. However, the hotel rules get converted from hotel rooms to hotel rooms. The check in time into the hotel is 14:00 hours and the checkout point is until 12:00 hours. The cancellation and prepayment policy there too varies according to the room type. Pets are allowed on request on certain applicable charges. The hotel accepts card like American Express, Visa, Euro/Mastercard, Diners Club and JCB.

•    Hotel Room Types and Rates:

Romantic Double Room: € 374 (Per Night)
Grand Deluxe Double Room: € 474 (Per Night)
Deluxe Suite: € 674 (Per Night)
Romantic Double Room: € 349 (Per Night)
Gran Deluxe Double Room: € 381.65 (Per Night)
Deluxe Suite: € 551.65 (Per Night)