"My room at the inn looked out on the river and was flooded all day with sunshine. There was an absurd orange-colored paper on the walls; the Arno, of a hue not altogether different, flowed beneath. All this brightness and yellowness was a perpetual delight; it was part of that indefinably charming color which Florence always seems to wear as you look up and down at it from the river, and from the bridges and quays. This is the kind of grave radiance-a harmony of high tints-which I scarce know how to describe."–from The Italian Hours (1909), Henry James (1843-1916)
Did you know that "Firenze" = "Florence"? Some first-time visitors don’t. Firenze is just one of numerous cities tagged with a different name in Europe than the name more familiar to Americans. This can be confusing since the European spelling is what will appear on train timetables, rail cars, road signs, and just about everywhere else. To brush up, take a look at
Italy’s Florence was built by Etruscans about the 9th century BC, later coming under the control of Romans, Gauls, Tuscans and Germans. In the 15th century, it was ruled by the Medici family and in the 19th century, became a part of 
Victor Emmanuel’s Italian Kingdom. Florence, always a center of learning, gave birth to the Renaissance and such creative and advanced minds belonging to Dante, Galileo, Amerigo Vespucci, Petrarch, Boccaccio, Machivelli, Brunellseschi, Michelangelo, Leonard da Vinci and Botticelli nourished this extraordinary place.
The plain on both sides of the Arno River is the site of the city. It has been said that this area was so marshy in ancient times that Hannibal was impeded during his march on Rome. Legend claims that it took Hercules himself, (whose effigy appears in one of the ancient seals of the city), to drain the area and make it possible to establish a settlement. Major floods have invaded in 1333, in 1844 and, most recently, in 1966. Today’s tourist hardly has time to learn about these things with all the compelling art, culture and beauty that beckons, (not to mention the food and exceptional shopping).
There is more to capture your attention than you’ll probably have time to see. Listed are major points not to miss with a few favorites thrown in.
L’Opera del Duomo is also here. This museum was established in the late 1800’s and houses art works that were originally done to grace the outside and the inside of the Duomo. The purpose of this museum is to preserve the original art, while copies adorn the church. There are art works from the cultural and historical development of the city, covering about 100 years. A few hours spent here will enrich your artistic knowledge and appreciation of such artists as Michelangelo, Donatello and Ghiberti.
A few other noteworthy caretakers of art and history are:
The Uffizi Gallery. Loggiato degli Uffizi, 6
Hours: Tuesday-Sunday 8:15am to 7:00pm; Phone: 055 238 8683 / Reservations: 055 294 883. Cost: Euro 8.0 (Euro 4.00 for citizens of Europe over 18 and under 25)
This magnificent gallery houses original masterpieces collected by the Medici family. Entry to the Uffizi Gallery is available every 15 minutes. Reservations should be made and a day ahead, if possible.
The Galleria dell’Accademia, Via Ricasoli, 58-60. Hours: Tuesday-Sunday 8:15am to 6:50pm Cost: Euro 6.00.
This is one of the best known museums in Florence because it boasts famous sculptures by Michelangelo, including "David" and the "Pieta of Plestina." There are also paintings from the collection of the Grand Duke Peter Leopold, many from young Florentine artists who studied at the Academy of Arts, next door to the gallery.
