City of Florence

Florence is the capital of the region of Tuscany, on Italy’s northwest coast. It’s a city, which bustles with industry and craft, commerce and culture, art and science. Being on the main national railway lines and having “Vespucci” airport where both national and international airlines stop, Florence is easily accessible from most important places in Italy and abroad.
 
Florence is one of the most prominent art centres of the world and the birthplace of the Renaissance movement, which continues to attract tourists by the million. The economy of Florence is based mainly on the services sector, as the city is an important commercial centre. Tourism and crafts provide considerable sources of income. The city is an active centre of culture and art festivals.
 
Florence’s major festivals include the explosion of the Cart, when a cart full of fireworks is exploded in front of the Duomo during Easter, and the Feast of St John the Baptist, the patron saint of the city on 24 June.

History
The spectacular capital of the region of Tuscany, is located on Italy's northwest coast. It is a stunning medieval city divided into two parts by the River Arno that flows from the Apennines through Florence and Pisa and on to the Ligurian Sea. Florence is considered one of the most beautiful cities in the world with its overflow of palaces, churches and museums filled with masterful paintings and sculptures.

The city was found in 59.B.C by Julio Caesar's war veterans, who named it "Florentin", for its flourishing beauty. Florence experienced its time of greatness in the 14th century when the powerful family of the Medicis made its entry onto the world scene, eventually becoming bankers to the papacy. Cosimo Medici became the ruler of Florence and sponsored artist such as Donatello, Brunelleschi and Filippo Lippi. In 1469, the grandson of Cosimo, Lorenzo, took over power. He was responsible for the great development of art, music and poetry; and was a patron to philosophers and artist such as Botticelli, Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo. From 1860 to 1875, Florence was the capital of Italy.

Our city is justifiably called "the capital of arts".
According to statistics produced by UNESCO, 60% of the world's most important works of art are located in Italy and approximately half of these are in Florence. Browsing through Florence's collection of breathtaking architecture, sculpture, monuments, museum and other treasures of art might overwhelm you. However, you should see the Cathedral (i.e. Duomo) with its massive cupola and the bell-tower, which together makes the  striking feature of the city. Inside are many important works of art by such artists as Michelangelo, Donatello and Brunelleschi. The Basilica of San Lorenzo dates from 393 and is the oldest church in the city.
The church is flanked by the New Sacristy, designed by Michelangelo and houses the Medici family tombs. Some of Florence most important museums are; "Galleria dell'Accademia" which houses famous sculptures by Michelangelo, and Donatello; "Uffizi Gallery" is one of the greatest museums in the world, with works by Leonardo da Vinci, Botticelli, Michelangelo, Rubens, Rembrandt and Goya to name a few.

http://www.uffizi.firenze.it/english/