What's new on Florence-On-Line:

Giardino delle Rose (Rose Garden)

In Parks & Gardens:
The Giardino delle Rose (Rose Garden) is a charming public garden in Florence, nestled in San Niccolò neighborhood, just below Piazzale Michelangelo. Originally opened in 1895, the garden features: Over 350 varieties of roses, blooming beautifully from May through June Panoramic views of Florence, including the Duomo, Palazzo Vecchio, and Santa Croce A collection of bronze sculptures by Belgian a... read more.

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La Fiorita, the Commemoration of Savonarola's Death

In Events in Florence:
If you're planning a trip to Florence in May, you might come across La Fiorita, a little-known but meaningful local tradition that takes place every year on the morning of May 23rd. This quiet ceremony marks the anniversary of the execution of Girolamo Savonarola, the infamous 15th-century friar and reformer. It's a unique cultural experience that offers a different kind of insight into Florence's... read more.

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Piazza Demidoff

In Piazzas of Florence:
Piazza Demidoff: A Russian Noble in Florence Piazza Demidoff (more like a small park) is dedicated to the family of the Russian ambassador Nicholas Demidoff, who lived in the nearby Palazzo Serristori, overlooking the square. Demidoff was a beloved figure in Florence for his generous philanthropy, and during his time in the city he funded numerous schools and assistance institutes, earning him a r... read more.

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Festival del Maggio Musicale Fiorentino

In Events in Florence:
The Festival del Maggio Musicale Fiorentino is one of Italy's oldest and most prestigious music festivals. Founded in 1933 in Florence, it's a major international event focused primarily on opera and classical music performances. The festival typically takes place annually during spring and early summer months (particularly May, hence the name "Maggio" which means May in Italian). The festival fe... read more.

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Piazza dell'Unità Italiana

In Piazzas of Florence:
Florence's Overlooked Historical Square Florence is renowned for its iconic piazzas like Piazza della Signoria and Piazza del Duomo, but there is a square with profound historical significance hiding in plain sight: Piazza dell'Unità Italiana. This busy yet often overlooked piazza commemorates one of the most important chapters in Italian history -- the unification of Italy. Historical Significa... read more.

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Florence Bus Tips

In Florence Travel Tips, In Buses:
I just stumbled across what at first appeared to be a very useful web page called "Destination Tuscany" from AUTOLINEE TOSCANE S.p.A. Unfortunately, most of the links on the page are broken or link to out of date information. Below are some tips with links to the actual information and other pertinent edits: Arrivals & Departures To reach Florence from Peretola Airport, use T2 tram line - all... read more.

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Tracey Emin: Sex and Solitude

In Allora (our blog):
Palazzo Strozzi presents Tracey Emin: Sex and Solitude, the first major institutional exhibition in Italy dedicated to one of today's most celebrated contemporary artists. Curated by Arturo Galansino, Director General of the Fondazione Palazzo Strozzi, the exhibition allows one to immerse into Emin's varied work, encompassing paintings, drawings, film, photography, embroidery, appliqué, sculpture... read more.

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Piazza Signoria Hotels & Apartments

In Florence Travel Tips, In Hotels & Apartments:
Here is a short list of recommendations for hotels and rental apartments on or very near to Piazza della Signoria. The closer to the piazza, the likelihood that prices will increase. While in the heart of Florence, unless there are special events (like the New Year's Eve celebrations) this piazza is actually much more quiet at night than those of Santa Croce or Santo Spirito - being in the comme... read more.

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Piazza Signoria Webcam

In Florence Webcams:
I am not 100% sure (actually I am pretty sure) but I think this is just a recording of a webcam - the view is not live, but it's still pretty interesting! In the view, from left to right, you have: the bell towers of the Badia Fiorentina and the Bargello, beneath them the façade of Palazzo Uggucioni, the equestrian statue of Cosimo I, the Gucci Museum, the fountain of Neptune, and the Palazzo Vec... read more.

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Florence Airport

In Florence Travel Tips, In Airports:
The official name of the airport in Florence, Italy is Aeroporto di Firenze-Peretola, also known as Florence Airport, or Peretola . Its IATA code is FLR. It's also commonly called Amerigo Vespucci Airport (Aeroporto Amerigo Vespucci), named after the Italian explorer and cartographer Amerigo Vespucci, who was born in Florence (and is buried in Chiesa di Ognissanti). The airport is about 5 kilome... read more.

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Floating Above the Tuscan Countryside: A Hot Air Balloon Adventure

In Allora (our blog):
There's something magical about watching the Tuscan landscape unfold beneath you as you drift silently through the dawn sky. Hot air ballooning in Tuscany offers a perspective of Italy's most celebrated countryside that few experiences can match. As the first rays of sunlight pierce the morning mist, you'll find yourself suspended above a patchwork of vineyards, olive groves, and medieval villag... read more.

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The Firenze Flower Show

In Events in Florence:
The Firenze Flower Show is an annual market exhibition showcasing rare and unusual plants, set to take place on April 5 and 6, 2025, at the beautiful Giardino Corsini in Florence. This annual spring event features top exhibitors from across Italy, offering two days filled with fun and learning about high-quality horticulture and gardening. Attendees can also enjoy free side activities, including g... read more.

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Small Antiques Market, Fiesole

In Events in Florence:
There is a small antiques market in Fiesole on the first Sunday of the month, except July and August. At Piazza Mino da Fiesole. Mercato del Piccolo Antiquariato a Fiesole. UPDATE! We have just received confirmation that there is a small antique market in Fiesole! This is from the Comune of Fiesole: "The small antiques market is held in Piazza Mino in Fiesole every first Sunday of the month. E... read more.

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Santa Felicita

In Churches of Florence:
A Hidden Gem of History and Art Nestled in the Oltrarno district of Florence, just a stone's throw away from the Ponte Vecchio, the Church of Santa Felicita stands as one of the city's most historically and artistically significant churches. Despite its somewhat modest exterior, this church is home to remarkable artworks and has a rich history dating back to early Christianity in Florence. Even t... read more.

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Cellini's Perseus with the Head of Medusa

In Florentine Art:
Benvenuto Cellini's Perseus with the Head of Medusa is one of the greatest masterpieces of Mannerist sculpture. Commissioned by Cosimo I de' Medici and completed in 1554, this bronze work stands in the Loggia dei Lanzi in Florence's Piazza della Signoria, where it has remained for nearly 500 years! It was his last public commission and reportedly took nearly ten years to complete. The sculpture ex... read more.

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Where To See Renaissance Sculpture In Florence

In Florentine Art:
You probably know that Florence is the city in which the Renaissance was born. You may not be totally familiar with the concept that the style we call "Renaissance" first became apparent in sculpture, rather than in painting and architecture, which followed soon after. Below we detail some of the museums, outdoor spaces, and individual sculptures that are not to be missed. Renaissance Sculpture ... read more.

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Church of Santa Maria Maddalena dei Pazzi

In Churches of Florence:
The Church of Santa Maria Maddalena dei Pazzi is a remarkable yet often overlooked gem located on Borgo Pinti in central Florence, Italy. Named after Saint Mary Magdalene de' Pazzi (born Caterina, 1566-1607), a Carmelite nun canonized for her mystical experiences (and perhaps suffering from anorexia, bulimia, and mental disorders), including receiving the stigmata, and her profound devotion to God... read more.

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