Life wouldn't be the same without Florence - literally. The city gave birth to the Renaissance and, with it, to the spirit of the modern Western world. The city, which graces the Arno River in central Italy's Tuscany region, has captured the hearts and minds of just about every visitor who has ever made his or her way here. It casts a spell in the way that few cities can - perhaps because it's an artistic treasure trove of incomparable proportions; perhaps because of the views of the Ponte Vecchio and the Arno at sunset; perhaps because Florentine food and wine delight the palate. Maybe it's because the city has not changed all that much since the 15th century.
Though ostensibly a republic, Florence was blessed (or cursed, depending on point of view) with one very powerful family, the Medici, who came into power in the 1430s under Cosimo il Vecchio (1389-1464) and became the de facto rulers of Florence for several hundred years. Florence's golden age occurred during the reign of his grandson Lorenzo de' Medici (1449-92), who was not only an astute politician but a highly educated man and a great patron of the arts. Called "Il Magnifico" ("the Magnificent"), he gathered around him poets, artists, philosophers, architects, and musicians and organized all manner of cultural events, festivals, and tournaments.
Lorenzo's son, Piero (1471-1503), proved inept at handling the city's affairs. He was run out of town in 1494, and Florence briefly enjoyed its status as a republic while dominated by the demagogic Dominican friar Girolamo Savonarola (1452-98). Savonarola preached against perceived pagan abuses and convinced his followers to destroy their books, art, women's wigs, and jewelry in public "bonfires of the vanities." Eventually, he so annoyed the pope that he was declared a heretic and hanged.
After a decade of internal unrest, the republic fell and the Medici were recalled to power. But even with their return, Florence never regained its former prestige. By the 1530s all the major artistic talent had left the city - Michelangelo, for one, had settled in Rome. The now ineffectual Medici, eventually attaining the title of grand dukes, remained nominally in power until the line died out in 1737, after which time Florence passed from the Austrians to the French and back again until the unification of Italy (1865-70), when it briefly became the capital under King Vittorio Emanuele II (1820-78).
Florence was "discovered" in the 18th century by upper-class northerners making the grand tour. It became a mecca for travelers, particularly the Romantics, who were inspired by the elegance of its palazzi and its artistic wealth. Today, millions of smitten visitors follow in their footsteps in this very walkable city. Florence's plain and sober facades - for the city eluded the exuberance of the High Renaissance and flourish of the Baroque - give nothing away, as if obsessively guarding secret treasures within. The treasures, of course, are very real.
Though ostensibly a republic, Florence was blessed (or cursed, depending on point of view) with one very powerful family, the Medici, who came into power in the 1430s under Cosimo il Vecchio (1389-1464) and became the de facto rulers of Florence for several hundred years. Florence's golden age occurred during the reign of his grandson Lorenzo de' Medici (1449-92), who was not only an astute politician but a highly educated man and a great patron of the arts. Called "Il Magnifico" ("the Magnificent"), he gathered around him poets, artists, philosophers, architects, and musicians and organized all manner of cultural events, festivals, and tournaments.
Lorenzo's son, Piero (1471-1503), proved inept at handling the city's affairs. He was run out of town in 1494, and Florence briefly enjoyed its status as a republic while dominated by the demagogic Dominican friar Girolamo Savonarola (1452-98). Savonarola preached against perceived pagan abuses and convinced his followers to destroy their books, art, women's wigs, and jewelry in public "bonfires of the vanities." Eventually, he so annoyed the pope that he was declared a heretic and hanged.
After a decade of internal unrest, the republic fell and the Medici were recalled to power. But even with their return, Florence never regained its former prestige. By the 1530s all the major artistic talent had left the city - Michelangelo, for one, had settled in Rome. The now ineffectual Medici, eventually attaining the title of grand dukes, remained nominally in power until the line died out in 1737, after which time Florence passed from the Austrians to the French and back again until the unification of Italy (1865-70), when it briefly became the capital under King Vittorio Emanuele II (1820-78).
Florence was "discovered" in the 18th century by upper-class northerners making the grand tour. It became a mecca for travelers, particularly the Romantics, who were inspired by the elegance of its palazzi and its artistic wealth. Today, millions of smitten visitors follow in their footsteps in this very walkable city. Florence's plain and sober facades - for the city eluded the exuberance of the High Renaissance and flourish of the Baroque - give nothing away, as if obsessively guarding secret treasures within. The treasures, of course, are very real.