The Province of Florence has a vast and varied territory, rich in gently rolling hills and mountains, streams and valleys, which extends from the Apennine chain as far as Valdelsa and from Mount Albano to Valdarno. The whole area, particularly the region all round its capital city, has been inhabited for centuries.
In the early years of the 15th century, in a Eulogy about the city of Florence the historian and humanist Leonardo Bruni wrote: "few cities can boast such a large number of inhabitants as the countryside all around Florence". At that time, there were already so many boroughs, houses and mansions that to the eyes of a poet it appeared like the "marvelous sight" provided by the moon "when it is encircled by the stars. As in a coat of arms decorated with a wealth of artfully interlocked painted or carved circles, the areas into which this region is divided will remind us of self-contained, yet overlapping circles sprawling out in all directions and enclosing the central jewel represented by the city".
The great concentration of art and culture that fills Florence often puts its surroundings into second place, while they are actually a complement and frame for the city: Medieval villages, soft hills, monasteries and churches, cozy trattorias, shaded forests and green hills. Here, we have given just a few ideas of the many wonderful things and places to see, and the sensitive visitor will certainly be able to enrich this short group of itineraries.
Villa Demidoff
The Villa Demidoff park is located at Pratolino, on the Via Bolognese. Little remains of the splendid villa that Buontalenti built for Francesco I de’ Medici in 1575. The park, that has been completely restored, is open from April to October, and it is a wonderful place to visit outside the city. Giambologna’s monumental statue of the "Appennines" (1579-89) is an outstanding example of Florentine Mannerism.
Settignano
This is a small village that grew up on the hillside north east of Florence; it can be reached by bus or via a panoramic drive along the hills from Fiesole. Gabriele D’Annunzio lived here in the Villa la Capponcina; the gardens of the Villa Gamberaia are considered among the loveliest in Europe and offer unforgettable views of Florence
Forte di Belvedere
Address: Via S. Leonardo
Tel: +39 (0)55 - 2342425
fax=
Email:
openings=9am-8pm. Certosa del Galuzzo (Carthusian Monastery)
Just 2 kilometers south of Florence rises the austere, fortress-like Certosa del Galluzzo. Founded by Niccolò Acciaiuoli in the 14th century to host young Florentines wanting to study the liberal arts, today it is inhabited by a group of Cistercian Benedictine monks. It contains several important artworks including five lunettes with "Scenes from the Passion", frescoed by Pontormo (1523-25).
Address:
Tel: +39 (0)55 – 2049226
fax=
Email:
openings=9-12am - 3-7pm Summer, - 9-12am - 3-5pm Winter - Closed on Mondays. Villa Demidoff
The Villa Demidoff park is located at Pratolino, on the Via Bolognese. Little remains of the splendid villa that Buontalenti built for Francesco I de’ Medici in 1575. The park, that has been completely restored, is open from April to October, and it is a wonderful place to visit outside the city. Giambologna’s monumental statue of the "Appennines" (1579-89) is an outstanding example of Florentine Mannerism.
Settignano
This is a small village that grew up on the hillside north east of Florence; it can be reached by bus or via a panoramic drive along the hills from Fiesole. Gabriele D’Annunzio lived here in the Villa la Capponcina; the gardens of the Villa Gamberaia are considered among the loveliest in Europe and offer unforgettable views of Florence
Forte di Belvedere
Address: Via S. Leonardo
Tel: +39 (0)55 - 2342425
fax=
Email:
openings=9am-8pm. Certosa del Galuzzo (Carthusian Monastery)
Just 2 kilometers south of Florence rises the austere, fortress-like Certosa del Galluzzo. Founded by Niccolò Acciaiuoli in the 14th century to host young Florentines wanting to study the liberal arts, today it is inhabited by a group of Cistercian Benedictine monks. It contains several important artworks including five lunettes with "Scenes from the Passion", frescoed by Pontormo (1523-25).
Address:
Tel: +39 (0)55 – 2049226
fax=
Email:
openings=9-12am - 3-7pm Summer, - 9-12am - 3-5pm Winter - Closed on Mondays.
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