The Mille Miglia or the "thousand miles" has been called the "most beautiful race in the world". Initiated in 1927, the race was canceled for reasons of safety in 1957 and twenty years later was revived as a road rally.

This year the race takes place from the 11th to 15th of June, featuring hundreds of the most important vintage racing cars (and some contemporary models) from around the world, parading over 1,000 miles (1,600 km) of Italian roads highlighting countrysides, mountains, ancient villages and city centers including Piazza del Campo in Siena. Starting in Brescia, Lombardia, they travel to Rome and back, winding through the countrysides of the Veneto, Marche and Umbria regions and returning through Tuscany, including Siena, but in 2024 avoiding the center of Florence (we are not sure why!). The collection includes classic cars from Ferrari, Maserati, Porsche and Alfa Romeo, among others.

Here are some of our favorite photos from the years the race came right through the center of Florence: