City of Florence

Florence is universally renowned for its monuments, art collections and beauty and has become one of the major destinations of international tourism. Although the Etruscans settled on the hills surrounding Florence, with their strong hold in Fiesole from 5th century BC, the Roman city of Florentia was founded by the Roman Emperor Julius Cesar around 59 BC Florentia emerged from an era of Barbarian domination to revive and rebuild itself during the Carolingian period, gaining, between the 11th and 14 centuries, increasing autonomy from the Holy Roman Empire and becoming a free commune, able to withstand the continual struggles between Guelphs and Ghibellines (XIII - XIV century). The XV century saw the beginning of the rule of the Medicis, who later became the Grand Dukes of Tuscany. During this period Florence rose to eminence among the Italian cities- the Queen of the Renaissance- in the arts, culture, politics and economic power and the mark of serene harmony and rationalism character. With the extinction of the Medici line in the early XVIII century, Florence passed to the dominion of the Dukes of Lorraine and in 1860 Tuscany was united with the new Kingdom of Italy with Florence as its capital from 1865 to 1871.
The Florentines themselves merit comment: industrious, resourceful, quick-witted and sharp-tongued, they possess an innate dignity and quiet elegance plus a deeply-rooted pride in their city and an uncanny ability to tackle hardship.

Why Florence

Florence and its Culture and Charme

Florence is internationally famous as an art city, the cradle of the art and culture.
The art of commerce, bank and finance began here in the Middle Ages at the time of the Municipalities, Lordships and Principalities. Famous poets like Dante Alighieri, Francesco Petrarca and Boccaccio; artists like Michelangelo Buonarroti, Leonardo da Vinci, Brunelleschi, Masaccio and scientists like Galileo Galilei had their birthplace or their scholarship in Florence and the results can still be enjoyed looking at the marvellous works of art situated along the streets and in the square of the city as well as talking to the Florentine citizens.

Florence and its Location

Florence enjoys a fantastic geographic position, immerse in the famous "green" region of Tuscany, near the Chianti Area, at half and hour distance from the famous sea side Versilia and at maximum one hour distance from Pisa, Siena, Lucca, Massa and Carrara and their wellknown traditions, monuments and products.

Florence and its Congress tradition

Florence is worldwide known as one of the major Italian conference sites. Its tradition as conference site dates back in the early 1960’s when the congress market began to be active part of the socio-political market and it started representing an important income for the Italian economy.  A huge number of events of International importance have been organized in Florence in the past.

For more information, please visit:

Firenze Turismo
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Florence
http://wikitravel.org/en/Florence