With Dante, the Italian language originated in Florence and was affirmed by Petrarch and Boccaccio in their literary studies. [Vohabolario ( italian to florentine)]With Humanism, a new philosophy came to evaluate Classical culture. Modern political science began with Machiavelli and historical prose with Guicciardini, and modern science developed with Galileo and his experimental school. Since the time of Charlemagne, Florence has been a University seat which today has about ten specialized institutes and a cultural centre for foreigners.
The 20-year-old Oscar Wilde enthuses over the Etruscans in the old Archaeological Museum when it was in the Via Faenza; from The Letters of Oscar Wilde, edited by Rupert Hart-Davis. Then to the Etruscan Museum, which is in the suppressed monastery of San(t') J Onofrio and most interesting. You come first to a big tomb, transplanted from Arezzo; cyclopean stonework, Museo Archeologicodoorway with sloping jambs and oblong lintel, roof slightly conical, walls covered with wonderfully beautiful frescoes, representing first the soul in the shape of young man naked, led by a beautifully winged angel or genius to the two horsed chariot which is to convey them to Elysium - and then represents the banquet which awaits him
The seventh edition of the Biennale Internazionale dell’Arte Contemporanea of Florence will be held from 5th to 13th December 2009( E in the historical setting of Fortezza da Basso. Participants and guest will ahve the chance to meet within the many conferences and events, our Honour guests: Marina Abramovic and Shu Yong.Marina Abramovic will exhibit some of her videos at the Fortezza da Basso and will offer a lecture to the audience followed by a book signing and an exchange of thoughts between public and her;Shu Yong will exhibit some of the paintings from the series “Chinese Myths”.
It's the newcomer among the Florentine museums: its name is Casa Martelli and will be opened to the public starting from today. Casa Martelli is in a palazzo in via Zannetti, once named via della Forca (Gallows Road)
The MNAF, Alinari National Museum of Photography, is located in the fifteenth-century building known as ‘delle Leopoldine’, renovated thanks to the fundamental contribution of the Ente Cassa di Risparmio di Firenze. The building has been allocated by the City of Florence, the owner of the complex, as exhibition space for its twentieth-century collections, and space has also been granted to the Fratelli Alinari. Fondazione per la Storia della Fotografia. Duly restored and equipped in line with the most up-to-date exhibition requirements, this is where the Alinari National Museum of Photography now has its premises.
On 18th September 2009 The Textile Museum opens an exhibition incooperation with the most famous Russian museums. About 150 works of art.
At the heart of this district lies the magnificent Piazza Santissima Annunziata, a beautiful space dominated by the presence of the elegant SS.Annunziata Church. This church originally stood outside the second circle of city walls. Between 1444 and 1481 Michelozzo, Pagno Portinari and Antonio Manetti (with suggestions from the architect Alberti) remodelled it into its present form.The facade has a portico that rests on Corinthian columns and the central portal leads to the Chiostrino dei Voti (1447), a scenic space with lunettes frescoed by Pontormo, Rosso Fiorentino, and Andrea del Sarto (1511-1513). Also to be admired is Volterrano's magnificent coffered ceiling (1664)... What we're saying is, if you live in this district you can't miss a visit to this church (come on, we're not asking you to go to Sunday morning mass!...)
Sunday May 24, at 9.00 pm, Patty Smith, poetess of Rock, will make a reading from Michgelangelo’s poetry on sin and desire in the tribuna of the Academy Gallery of Florence, where Michelangelo’s original stone carving “David” is on permanent display, as well as his unfinished slaves
San Lorenzo, for the Florentines is synonymous with 'market'. The biggest open market of the city is, in fact, located here. In the colourful and noisy San Lorenzo market it's possible to find a wide choice of leather jacket and bags, jeans, t-shirts, shoes…everything of reasonably good quality and at reasonable prices.Even if you don't plan to spend hours shopping we suggest that to visit the market all the same, just to enjoy browsing. Naturally, watch out for pickpockets here.
I-florence.com suggests to all the Italian and International students that live in Florence to consider seriously this list before planning a trip up and down the 'Belpaese' (as Italy is also called in Italian) or along the wonderful Tuscan landscapes...
