Districts of Florence Italy

 


First time visitors to Florence Italy will wonder where to start.  For travelers, they will find that Florence is divided into 5 main districts and that most of the areas attractions are located in these Districts of Florence Italy.

Developed in 1812, the Florence district of Campo di Marte served as the training site for the Tuscan army after Napoleon invaded the country. Now known as “Quartiere 2,” the area boasts many historical buildings originating from the turn of the century. Nestled amongst the array of historical structures, modern buildings emerged beginning in the 1950s. Today, the area is known as the city’s sports center. The Artemio Franchi Stadium stands here and serves as home to the Fiorentina soccer team. The region additionally features numerous public sports facilities and swimming pools.

Districts of Florence, Italy

Commonly referred to as Centro Storico, the design of the Centre district closely follows the road system constructed centuries ago by the Romans. The many attractions in this part of the city include the array of Renaissance palaces that line the medieval streets. Centre is also the region of Florence where visitors have the chance to see the artwork of the masters. The Galleria dell’Accademia features many paintings but the most famous attraction here remains Michelangelo’s statue of David.

Gavinana lies on the left bank of the Arno River and borders the city of Bagno a Ripoli. The historic location dates back to the 10th century and stands between the heart of the city and the famous Chianti wine country. The area also harbors treasured Renaissance works of art. The Church of Santa Maria dates back to the 14th century and features an altarpiece designed and crafted by Giotto. Students regularly attend the significant Longhi Foundation, which offers instruction in art history.

The Santa Maria Novella district lies between the banks of the Arno River and the railway station. The location features some of the finest architecture in the city that includes elegant piazzas. Explore the many medieval streets; visit the Croce al Trebbio, a shrine constructed by a group of Dominican friars. Indulge in window-shopping on the Via Tomabuoni.


Santo Spirito Oltramo, commonly called Santo Spirito, spans from San Frediano to San Niccol. The Piazza Santo Spirito lies in the heart of the district, which harbors local history and artisan workshops. Here, guests also find traditional markets in the squares. Visit any of the many beautiful churches and museums. The various facilities offer a glimpse into costumes, modern art and even silverware over the centuries. Take a leisurely stroll through the Boboli Gardens while admiring the fountains, statues and colorful landscape that span over 53 square yards.

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Gavinana District, Florence, Italy


Gavinana District, Florence, Italy is located on the left side of the River Arno. It is the the third district of the city. It finds it name from its main square, Piazza Gavinana. This is a highly residential area of Florence despite its proximity to the city center. There are many narrow and winding streets in this district due to the lack of businesses and commercial properties. Gavinana is also home to one of the oldest social centers in Italy. A large portion of Gavinana is walled off from the public as it belongs to private estates. It was substantially ruined in the famous flood in Florence in 1966. Many parks were created in this district due to the demolition of older structures.

Piazza Gavinana, Florence, ItalyNotable Landmarks in the Gavinana District

There are three bridges in this district: the Iron Bridge, Ponte Giovanni da Verrazzano, and Ponte Varlungo. They connect the left side of Florence with the more central districts of the city.


If you are interested in churches, then you must check out one of the more popular landmarks in this district. First, there is the l’Iglse da Santa Maria a Ricorboli. It was one of the oldest in the area dating from the 15th century until the current structure replaced in in the 1920′s.

If you love architecture, then you must check out the Villa Rusciano. It was created by Luca Pitti and Filippo Brunelleschi. Luca Pitti is a famous banker who was a beloved friend of the Medici family. However, his name is more commonly associated with the Pitti Palace which he had created to rival the family’s own palazzo. The Villa Rusciano is located in the hills surrounding the city, and it provides further support to Florence’s substantial power during the Renaissance.

Another notable villa in the Gavinana District is the Villa Tasso. It once belonged to Robert Longhi who was an avid collector of important Florentine art. If you love art, then see if you can arrange a tour of the building as it still hosts some fine examples of period art. The Villa Bandini is one of the oldest structures in the district. It has a lovely garden called the Cave of Bandino. It was copied after the famous grottos found in palaces of the Medici family, and the cave at the entrance of the Boboli gardens.

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Centre District, Florence, Italy

 


If you are a visitor to Florence, Italy you must be certain to spend some time in the Centre District. Many of the city’s most impressive sights are here in the center of the city, and you won’t want to miss the opportunity to see them for yourself. Conveniently, the district is not very spread-out, so you can see several fantastic landmarks within just a few blocks of each other. If you have only a day to spend in Florence, this would be an excellent place to spend it since you will be able to see so much in such a short time.
 
 
The Duomo, Centre District, Florence, ItalyThe Cathedral, otherwise known as the Duomo, is found in the center of Florence, along with the baptistry. Its proper title in English is the Basilica of Saint Mary of the Flower, and the cathedral reflects that lovely name. Along with the richly ornamental doors and the finely sculptured marble walls, the cathedral boasts 44 gorgeous stained glass windows created in the 1300s and 1400s. Construction on the cathedral began more than seven centuries ago, and several noted artists and architects had a hand in the design of this beautiful building whose golden dome towers over central Florence.

The Cathedral Square, or Piazza del Duomo, also includes the beautiful spectacle of Giotto’s Bell Tower, a splendid example of Gothic architecture, and the Museum of the Works of the Cathedral, which houses magnificent works of art connected with the cathedral, including the handiwork of Michaelangelo and Donatello. With its rich history, this is a definite must-see for any art enthusiast.


Another impressive sight in this district of Florence is the Ponte Vecchio, which is the bridge that stands over the Arno River. In addition to its structural beauty, which dates back to medieval times, the bridge is notable because it is lined with shops. While many bridges of that time were similarly lined with shops, that is not the case for many bridges that stand today, so it’s especially fun to wander these stores and buy the art, jewelry and souvenirs that is sold inside of them.

If you are planning a visit to Florence and looking for accommodation in the Centre District or all over the city, check out Oh-Florence where you can find a huge selection of apartments to suit your every need. Clearly, this central portion of Florence has a great deal to offer any visitor with a deep and abiding interest in art, culture and history, and its magnificence is such that it is likely to foster such an appreciation in others as well.

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