Hey guys,

how are you? today I would like to continue my series about the most beautiful or for me most important sights in Florence, Italy. For one or the other it may not be the most beautiful sight, but I like especially historical places where there is a lot to tell. Perfect for my blog on Hive ;)

But how did we come to choose Florence? We spent most of our vacation, apart from our day trip to Florence, in the Cinque Terre region. Florence was one of the few cities that we could reach without problems with a few hours train ride. Pisa we had visited directly after our arrival at Pisa Airport, or rather the leaning tower of Pisa (post is in progress haha;).

How did the foundation of Florence happen?

I don't know about you, but I always like to learn more about the city's history when I'm in a new city, especially one as historically significant as Florence. And there really is so much to discover in Florence. Walking through the city, you really find something new, extraordinary, historical at every corner.
Florence was founded in the 1st century BC. Quite a long time ago, isn't it!

The city was founded by the Romans. It was first called "Fiorentina", which means "the blooming one".
The influence of the Romans can still be seen in the oldest part of the city. This is also where Cesar had his colonies.
The townscape here is also very "typically" Roman. Very much in the style of the Roman "castra", the city is divided by two axes: one runs from the Battistero to via Roma and on to via Calimala. The other runs from via del Corso to via degli Speziali and via degli Strozzi.

For defensive reasons, the city was built where the two rivers Arno and Mugnone meet.

Piazza della Repubblica - a square as a typical example of urban redevelopment when Florence was the capital

Today i will tell you a little bit about the Piazza della Repubblica in Florence. This is a square located in the very center, rectangular. The square is considered a typical example of urban redevelopment when Florence was the capital of Italy for a short time (did you know that?! It was surprising to me haha). Florence was the capital of Italy from 1865 to 1871, really only six years. But still;)

However, Florence is still the capital as well as the largest city of the Tuscany region.

of course I just had to photograph the meanwhile also very famous carousel ;))

A fast growth thanks to good location

When the city core was renewed, archaeological findings were found. Through them it was possible to locate important city buildings of that time. These include, for example, the Capitol Baths, the Capaccio Baths, the sewage system and the Temple of Isis in Piazza San Firenze.
At that time, especially the port was an important hub. It was located outside the city walls, as was the river Arno.
Also interesting: The Ponte Vecchio, which I have also introduced to you in a post, is not the first bridge built in Florence. (But definitely the most beautiful and so unique!).
The very first bridge was probably built upstream of the Ponte Vecchio.

Florence developed very quickly and grew more and more. The city owed this mainly to its geographical position. Especially the economy was booming. Above all, trade was able to develop rapidly thanks to the easy trade routes, including water.

A "new", cosmopolitan city

Until 1888, the area was used as the "Mercato Vecchio" (translated: Old Market). At that time the market stalls were then demolished. A fish hall built around 1567 was also demolished, but was rebuilt instead in Piazza dei Ciompi.
As I told you at the beginning, Florence could call itself the capital of Italy for only a very short time. The city and its citizens mourned this title very much and wanted to show themselves cosmopolitan and open. For this purpose, in 1895, the Arconte, better known as the monumental Arc de Triomphe, was built. In addition, some administrative palaces were built.

Here is also a free-standing column with the statue of the Abbondanza. It is a replica of the Abbodanza by Donatello that originally stood there. It dates back to the early Renaissance and was anchored to the stump of a Roman granite column. It was the center of the city at that time.

What do you say? How did you like my post about this historic place? Do you wanna add something? Have you ever been there? Feel free to write your feedback in the comments! Did you know the famous carousel haha? I am curious what you say:) See you next time!