Category Archives: News
Giotto’s Campanile in Florence
Posted by in Florence Landmarks, Florence Tour, Fun, General, Government, Guide, Hotels, News, Shopping, Tips
Leave a comment
|
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 They’ve been replaced by copies, while the originals are preserved the Museo dell’Opera del Duomo.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
Posted by in Florence Landmarks, Florence Tour, Fun, General, Government, Guide, Hotels, News, Shopping, Tips
Leave a comment
|
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
Posted by in Florence Landmarks, Florence Tour, Fun, General, Government, Guide, Hotels, News, Shopping, Tips
Leave a comment
|
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
Posted by in Florence Landmarks, Florence Tour, Fun, General, Government, Guide, Hotels, News, Shopping, Tips
Leave a comment
|
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.
Antica Torre Di Via Tornabuoni 1, 0 star hotel in Florence
Posted by in Florence Landmarks, Florence Tour, General, Guide, Hotels, News, Tips
Leave a comment
|
Antica Torre Di Via Tornabuoni, 0 star hotel in Florence
- Overview of the Hotel: The hotel is situated in a medieval structure hardly five minutes away from the Duomo cathedral. The roof top Terrace of the hotel provides the very panoramic sights and views across the Florence’s historic center around the hills. There entire rooms in the hotel are air conditioned and are featured with a minibar and a TV with satellite and pay –per view for channels. The hotel recently has been renovated and keeps all the unique features intact into the hotel. The breakfast at the hotel is served at the roof top terrace and is available until 10:00. The buffet at the hotel includes seasonal food from Tuscany as well as English and Mediterranean food. The Antica Torre’s central location that is about 200 metres from the River Arno and a 10-minute walk from Santa Maria Novella Station provides it a unique stature.
- Amenities in Hotel: In hotel, one can avail a good number of services and amenities like bar, newspapers, terrace, non-smoking rooms, rooms/facilities for disabled guests, elevator, express check-in/check-out, safety deposit box, soundproofed rooms, heating, design hotel, luggage storage, gay friendly, all public and private spaces non-smoking, airconditioning, designated smoking area. The state-of-the art facilities in the hotel includes meeting/banquet facilities, airport shuttle, business centre, babysitting/child services, laundry, dry cleaning, barber/beauty shop, vip room facilities, breakfast in the room, ironing service, bridal suite, bicycle rental, car hire, tour desk, fax/photocopying, ticket service, atm/cash machine on site. The Wi-fi is available there absolutely free of charge.
- Hotel Rules: There are some general and prescribed rules for and in hotels for Hotel Antica Torre Di via Tornabuoni. However, rules there do vary from hotel rooms to hotel rooms. Check in time into hotel rooms is 14:00 hrs to 22:00 hrs whereas checkout timings for the hotel lie as between 7:00 hours to 11:00 hours. The cancellation and prepayment policies in the hotel vary from room to room. As for accommodation of children, those who are below 2 years even can stay free of charge for cots. Children upto 12 years are charged none for extra beds. Pets are allowed in the hotel on request. Hotel also accepts cards like American Express, Visa, Euro/ Mastercard, Diners club, JCB, Maestro and Cartasi. The hotel has its own discretion and right upon the pre-auhtorise credit cards before arrival.
- Hotel Room Type and Rates:
Grand Deluxe Double Room : € 225 (Per Night)
Deluxe Double Room : € 200 (Per Night)
Classic Double Room : € 180 (Per Night)
Special Offer Double Room : € 125 (Per Night)
National Archaeological Museum (Florence)
Posted by in Florence Landmarks, Florence Tour, Fun, General, Guide, News, Tips
Leave a comment
|
The National Archaeological Museum of Florence is situated in the city 1 piazza Santissima Annunziata, in the Palazzo della Crocetta. Centuries before in around 1620, it was a palace constructed in 1620 for princess Maria Maddalena de’ Medici, daughter of Ferdinand I de Medici, by Giulio Parigi.
The museum became operational in the auspicious presence of King Victor Emmanuel II in 1870 in the structures of the Cenacolo di Fuligno on via Faenza. During that period museum had only Etruscan and Roman remains. As the collections grew, there a need for a new site aroused and became necessary and in 1880 the museum was transferred from its old location to its present building and status. The very first exhibits in the museum were the family collections of the Medici and Lorraine, with several transfers from the Uffizi up to 1890. In the first half of the 18th century there collection of Egypt introduced to the museum. In the museum artifacts and collections are kept in following manner and styles.
• Etruscan Collections: The organisation of the Etruscan rooms was made in 2006 when a 40-year-overdue restoration was carried out in Museum due to 1966 flood when around 2000 objects got damaged in floods. The prominent collections in the Museum are The Chimera of Arezzo that were discovered in 1553 at Arezzo during the construction of a Medici fortress, The statue of the Arringatore from 1st century BC, The funerary statue Mater Matuta of around 460-450, the sarcophagus of Laerthia Seianti from second century BC.
• Roman collections: The “idolino of Pesaro”, is about a 146 cm high bronze statue of a young man in the city. It is a Roman copy from a classical Greek original, found in fragments in the centre of Pesaro in October 1530. The “torso di Livorno”, is a copy of a 5th century BC Greek original and Statue of a cockerel that is also popular as “Gallo Treboniano”, is from late 3rd century work and the Minerva of Arezzo, which is a bronze Roman copy of a 4th century BC Greek model dedicated to the Praxiteles.
• Greek collections: In Greek items there is shown a large room having the numerous cases on the second floor. The vases have been collected and restored there from Etruscan tombs and are proofs of cultural and mercantile exchange with Greece, and especially with Athens. The most important vases there are a large black figure krater of c. 570 BC signed by the potter Ergotimos and the painter Kleitias.
• Egyptian Museum: In the Egyptian section, there one can view and can have opportunity to see the Medici collection, dating from the eighteenth century. In the nineteenth century, Leopold II, Grand Duke of Tuscany, started an acquisition of the artifacts now placed at the Egyptian Museum.
Florence Baptistery, the Gates of Paradise
Posted by in Florence Landmarks, Florence Tour, General, Guide, News, Tips
Leave a comment
|
Ranging from the olden Christian times, the Florence Baptistery (Battistero di San Giovanni) is one of oldest buildings in the city constructed with intricate interest and is designed with impressive medieval and Renaissance decoration, that also consists of Lorenzo Ghiberti’s famous bronze doors that are told to be the “Gates of Paradise.” and
Doors to heaven.
According to the beliefs of Florentine citizen the Florence baptistery is an ancient pagan temple that has been converted for the use of Christian faith and thoughts. However, the baptistery also includes many spoils from Roman buildings and is standing tall on Roman house with a mosaic pavement and seems to be constructed around 4th or 5th century. The structure of baptistery also suggests that it was during the Middle Ages to a greater extent was enlarged and went beautified. There attention was provided to its interior, where walls and floors were lined with the decorative marble in the 11th century. The walls were decorated with the ancient monolithic columns and geometrical designs in green and white marble, where as on the floor there was a remarkable zodiac rose in inlaid marble. It was in the 12th century, its original sandstone exterior was changed with green and white marble cladding.
Located at the center of historic Florence, it is situated close to Duomo. The baptistery’s east door is located opposite to the west entrance to the cathedral. This is an octagonal building similar to all old Christian baptisteries. The two main levels of the structure are ancient and date from the 4th or 5th century, whereas the uppermost level, pyramidal roof and lantern are accounted from the 12th century. It has about three doors there as:
South door is the first of the baptistery’s three great bronze doors as formed by the Gothic sculptor Andrea Pisano in 1330-36. Initially, it was the constructed east door, which was then moved to the south creating path for Ghiberti’s two successive replacements. The South door is consisted of about 28 panels of quatrefoils within squares and took about six years for panels to be completed with the aid of Venetian goldsmith Leonardo d’Avanzano.
Its eastern door that is also known as the Gates of Paradise were created by Lorenzo Ghiberti in 1425-52. Its nickname is provided to Michelangelo, as he said while looking them for very first incident as the gates of Paradise. In the year of commencing of Italian Renaissance of 1401, Lorenzo Ghiberti won the accreditation to design new east doors for the baptistery. Ghiberti was only 21 years old at the time, and his design even defeated of the great ones of that period including Filippo Brunelleschi, Donatello and Jacopo della Quercia.
From inside, the baptistery is decorated from and on every possible spot and its walls is clad with marble in harmonious geometric designs even from the 11th century and its floors is paved with intarsia marble designs that started in 1209. The floor designs, there also includes a magnificent Oriental-style zodiac rose, like as that in San Miniato al Monte across the Arno River.