WHY FLORENCE IS SO TIMELESS?

When I was in Florence , 20 years ago I believed that I touched the root of the world’s history. Everything was there and it is still there or, at least, I thought that way. Florence was for me the alphabet of the European art and culture, the goddess of light after many years of human dance in the darkness

I don’t want to drag any of you into the typical tourist wishy- washy tales about this amazing Italian city. This is not my propose but to show you behind the science, the interesting facts that made me love Florence with all my heart and soul.

Did you know that , according to Forbes 2010, Florence has been considered and titled as one of the most beautiful towns in the worldThis doesn’t surprise at all when you think of gothic design of Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore and the Uffizi Gallery. Not just the Italy itself but every corner of Florence is inspired with pure artistic details. Just think of Piazza Della Signoria, Pitti Palace, Galleria dell’ Academia and Palazzo Vecchio. The capital of art and the star of the historical architecture that has no comparison.

The alluring image of Florence has been built through the silent centuries of human battles with the prohibition, religious challenges and risks to be targeted like a wizard and prosecuted as such. Not to mention that church regulations and the rulers arrogance or openness controlled the success of the community. In this case, Medici Family set up the great wealth base for the city and turned the Florence into one of the strongest areas of that period. The lucky people of Florence had Lorenzo De’ Medici that was such an admirer of art and science so he supported the researchers, explorers and artists. The birth-town of Italian renaissance was colored from 14th to the 17th century with the developing phases and attempts to get out of comfort zone and build the new worlds . After the years of shadows and wandering through the labyrinths of different forbidden areas, the common sense as experienced rebirth and enhancement and there, exactly in our Florence. This new and strong vibe has been pulsed out on the another cities, like Venice, Genoa and Rome and then to the rest of Waking Europe.

Then, it is how we got famous Italian gelato. There are many tales about it but indeed native Bernardo Buontalenti has been asked to manage the desert for Spanish king, something unique and excellent. This man was such a great painter, military engineer, artist and architect like many but he will be known in the world’s books like inventor of gelato, amazing ice cream that is still with alchemist recipe, even today in Florence. Some writings come with facts that Caterina de’ Medici was motivation for gelato since she was fan of frozen sweets. When she brought her man back to Florence, Henry II, Buontalenti offered the best on the menu, gelato. From Florence with love, the ice cream has found way to France and the other cultural centers and people who enjoyed the taste.

Not only delicious gastronomy and unforgettable gelato, what about wine ? That is what turn the whole Tuscany into the brilliant heaven to paradise. You can taste it all over the city and find how precious is Chianti. The Florence charm with wine is infectious but try not too much.

You know why I am in awe with Florence ? So many historical figures origin from this place and gave us so much for the cultural and scientific prosperity. Just think about some of them, Leonardo , Galileo, Botticelli, Dante, Vespucci, Giotto, Machiavelli… and if you come to the new era, Cavalli, Gucci, Benigni …. Some haven’t been born there but they moved there and lived till their last breath. The city embraced them and gave them wings to create and make the footprints into the civilization heritage.

Even Hitler didn’t want to ruin, during the World War II, the attractive Ponte Vecchio that also survived all bombing attacks. Once , Adolf Hitler admitted that Florence is too beautiful to be destroyed. This city also designed the modern Italian language through the improving and advancing the local Florentine language that has been spoken in the area. If we go back and ask what Florence hasn’t contributed to the world , we would have no reply. The Florence is renaissance itself , the light warrior that has helped others to find again way out.

No matter if you are historically obsessed or just fascinated by the background of art and culture , you must admit that Florence has it all: from gastronomy, through the architecture and design to the science and prosperity. It is a paradise city with so many portrays that remain like a collage in the hearts of visitors.

Attraversiamo !