History of Florence

Prehistory and first establishments

At the time quaternary, the plain of Florence Prato - Pistoia was occupied by a big lake, sleeping between the reliefs of the Monte Albano in the west, of the Monte Giovi in north and of the first hills of the Chianti in the south. When water was withdrawn, the plain, located at about fifty meters above the sea level, remained constellated with so many ponds and of marshes that, especially in the area of Campi Bisenzio, Signa and Ripoli, these stretches of water were a constant of the territory until cleansings are carried out as from the XVIIIe century. Part of the museum of geology and paleontology of Florence illustrates remarkably well this period of Tuscan prehistory, with explanatory cards and parts. A Italic population, originating in Villanova, would have lived with the confluence of the Mugnone and of the Arno between the X {{E}} and the VIII {{E}} front century J. - C. Between the VII {{E}} and the VI {{E}} front century J. - C., the Étrusques were to use the easy ford of access of the Arno river to the level of its confluence, where the plain was narrower because of the proximity of the hills in north and the south. At this place, they had probably built a footbridge or a system of passage, which was to be with ten meters of current the Ponte Vecchio, at the narrowest point of the ford. To protect itself from the foreign armies and the floods, they preferred however not to found of city in the plain and they were established, with approximately six kilometers of the ford, on a hill where developed the strengthened center of Fiesole, served by a road which connected all the principal Etruscan centers since the Emilie until the north of Latium.

Romans

See also: Amorce=Voir also the article, Florentia (ancient city)

Historians still discuss existence of an establishment préromaine and some go even until supporting the assumption according to which there would have been one municipe , which would have been destroyed by Sylla.

However, the known history of Florence starts traditionally in 59 av. J. - C. with the foundation with the Romains of a village called Florentia and intended for the veterans of the army. According to certain historians, the city would have been founded for political reasons and strategic precise: in 62 av. J. - C., Fiesole had become a den of partisans of Catilina and César would have decided the creation of an outpost to only 6 km to control the transportation routes. In 59 av. J. - C., the city had already a structure rather close to that of the traditional castrum, with two ways crossing to divide into two distinct parts the ancient military camp.

The Cesarean city took again the traditional plan envisaged by the Roman land-surveyors: it quadrangular and was divided by seven roads, which followed the NORTH-SOUTH axis and came to cross to the perpendicular five roads along the axis is/western.

The Romans consolidated the banks of the Arno and of the Mugnone and the choice of the site proved to be advantageous for transport: the ancient city of Florentia was indeed on the layout of the Via Cassia Nova - a consular way -, at a very important place from a strategic point of view, because it made it possible to control the end of the valley of the Arno, in the Apennines, and the entry of the plain which led to the sea in direction of Pisa. The first accurate informations on the establishment go back to 123, year of construction of the first true bridge on the Arno.

Around the Roman military camp then started to appear all the buildings characteristic of the Roman city (an aqueduct on the basis of the Monte Morello, a forum in the place of current the Piazza della Repubblica, at least two thermal baths, of the theaters and the amphitheaters), while the territory around was delimited in regular cultivated zones. On the air charts of zones like that around Peretola, for example, one can still see obvious traces of this activity. There existed also a river port, making the trade possible with Pisa.

A true city appeared thus and, because of its military origin, it was dedicated to the god Mars who became the first owner of Florentia.

It is still possible to distinguish contours from the Roman city on the topographic charts of the current town of Florence, where with the first glance the original square center with its perpendicular streets appears crossing the Cardo and the Decumanus - the two main streets -, materialized today by Via degli Strozzi, it Via del Corso and it Via degli Speziali, which cut the center of is in west, and by Via Roma and it Via Calimala, which cross it north to the south to go to cross Arno. The quadrilateral, girds Remparts strengthened with many towers, measured approximately 1800 meters on side and accommodated, according to the estimates, a population from 10.000 to 15.000 people. As well doors was created inside this center, as some of them were used until the end of the Early middle ages.

In 285, during the reorganization of the Roman Empire, Dioclétien establishes in Florence even the seat of Corrector - the commander of the legion responsible for all the Tuscie - to mark the growing strategic importance of the city in the regional panorama. The Eastern merchants (including one important colony is established on left bank of Arno, just on other side of the bridge) introduced initially the worship of Isis, then the Christianisme starting from the II {{E}} century.

There does not remain any visible monument of the Roman epoch, because Florence experienced a fast development during the following period and the medieval city was built on the Roman city before extending.

However, the basement delivers to us today still constructions like, for example, the thermal complex of the Piazza della Signoria, just discovered beside the slope which goes down towards the Piazza San Firenze where probably the Théâtre was, today covered by the palate with the family Gondi.

But the most recognizable monument is the Amphithéâtre which, even if it is invaded by medieval houses from where vestiges of primitive terra cotta construction point (including the arcs of access), always preserves its oval form. It is thus not a chance if the street which makes the turn of it were called Via Tòrta, in other words rue twisted .

The national archaeological museum and the historical and topographic museum of Florence shelter the richest collection of vestiges of Florentia, with many parts and departments with teaching goal.

The time paléochrétienne

The first evangelists probably arrived of the Orient with syriaques merchants and Greek which circulated in all the empire. Traditionally, the stories of the 2nd century and the 3rd century allot the evangelization to the disciples of holy Pierre: obscure the saint Frontino and holy Paolino. During the persecution of Dèce in 250, the decapitation of the holy martyr Minias took place on the primitive site of Florence: it would have taken again its head and would have gone to foot towards the hill where the basilica rises today which to him is dedicated.

If these legends are not packed by historical indices, old tomb stones confirm the Christian presence in the zone of the church Santa Felicita (church dedicated to the worship of holy of the same name, very widespread worship in the the Eastern Mediterranean).

On the other hand, one with the proof that in 313 the first bishop of Florence (Felice) went to a meeting of the Pape Miltiade. In 393, holy Aimbroise visit the city and founds the church San Lorenzo, which - at the time - was located apart from the city (perhaps on the site of a Christian Nécropole, as that occurred at that time for the first Basilique S Romans).

Ten years afterwards, Florence had a first Lord's Prayer patriae in the person of the holy bishop Zanobi. This one organized the Diocèse and set up the resistance of the florentins to the invasion of the Ostrogoths of Radagaise, which assiégièrent the city but were providentially demolished by the arrival of Stilicon, the large general of the emperor Flavius Honorius. The day of the victory (according to the tradition) points out Sainte Réparate. The holy church Réparate (near to the Aquilonia door, in north) was dedicated to this martyrdom, church which became a Cathédrale when the skin of the Zanobi bishop was transferred there (in the place of the baptistry Midsummer's Day, then simple church).

According to specialists such as Lopes Segna, the city sees its population decreasing at this period: the Roman villa updated under the current place of the Dome had already been divided into more modest dwellings when it was destroyed to make place with the platea episcopis . The advanced assumption is that the latifundists preferred to leave Florence to be withdrawn not only from the too heavy taxes, but also not to see itself imposing administrative loads like the perception of the taxes.

It is at that time that the entirety of the population converts with the Christianisme (in particular after the victory of Radagaise that much allotted to the prayers Zanobi). To confirm this fact, the old temple of the god Mars was gradually converted into church dedicated to Jean the Baptist, current the owner of the city. However, the dedication with the saint is perhaps posterior at that time and certain regards it as a heritage of the domination lombarde to come. In any case, at that time, Florence had at least three churches (San Lorenzo, Santa Felicita, and Midsummer's Day) hardly located apart from the defensive enclosure. The excavations of 1971/72 clearly showed that the northern part of the wall (towards the dome and San Lorenzo) had already been destroyed between the 2nd century and 3rd century centuries. This indicates that news and larger fortifications were carried out in the second part of the 4th century century (whereas the attacks of barbarians were menaçantes) to protect the new religious buildings which were to remain with the shelter of the external dangers.

In the baptistry, regarded as the oldest building of Florence having preserved his original structure and whose creation goes up at that time, one can see that materials of Roman origin were used for the external restoration. On this subject, one can quote a marble plate (close to the southern door) representing a Naumachie and two Sarcophage S of the 1st century century which - until in 1966 - were inside. Today one can see them with the museum of the dome.

If, generally, the invasion of Radagaise mark the beginning of the regression of the Moyen-âge, has Florence the 5th century century was not disastrous and it is probable that at least the church Jean saint was built at that time. Indeed, its original design was allotted to a strong influence of Roman architecture. Between the attack of Radagaise and the war gréco-Gothic, Florence lived approximately a century and half of peace.

Early middle ages

The war between Goths and Byzantines

Florence, like the major part of Italy, fell under the cut from the Goths and Théodoric Large the. During both wars of Goths, Florence was also occupied by the Byzantine of Bélisaire in 541, then devastated by Totila in 550 before being finally reconquered by the Greeks guided by Narsès.

The army of the Byzantine emperor Justinien 1 {{er}} discovers a city in ruins and depopulated. The single vestige of this period is the Tour of Pagliazza which was built starting from a wall surrounding old the thermal baths. The use of this wall as base explains the circular shape (strange in Florence) of the tower. Finally, the Byzantines built the church Saint Appolinaire (destroyed today).

Lombards

In 570, the city fall between the hands from the Lombards, but those chose the town of Lucques like chief town of the Toscane. To connect the territories under their control, the Lombards had to use roads far away from the Roman ways, because those were always under the control of the Byzantine . For the latter, two roads became increasingly important: that named in Italian Passo della Cisa , who will possibly be used as border between the territories of these two rival groups, as that which curves between the towns of Lucques, Altopascio, Fucecchio and Valdelsa for then moving towards Rome. This last road will be then named Via Francigena. This important road not connecting Florence, it will mark the one period beginning of recession for the city.

Between the end of the 8th century and the beginning of the 9th century, after two hundred years of complete darkness, the city started to reappear, while starting with a taken again shy person of the economic activity and a certain population growth, possibly caused by the urbanization of the rural population frightened by the periodic attacks of barbarians.

The Carolingian time

Charlemagne stopped at least twice with Florence: in 781, on the way of the return of Rome, and in 786, when it accepted the complaints of some monks against the duke lombard Gudibrando . Supposed the rebuilding of Florence by Charlemagne constitutes an improbable assumption, often defended with emphase by the former historians. The same applies to the plates which commemorate its presence supposed during the installation of the first stone of the church of the saints apostles of Florence. In fact, the control exerted by Charlemagne rather means only the tender with French duke than lombard. It is necessary to wait at least at the time of Lothaire Ier to obtain historically verifiable evidence of a rebirth of the city. In 854, the counties of Fiesole and Florence meet and choose Florence like official residence of the Count.

Thus the process began which will make it possible Florence to take gradually more and more importance compared to Fiesole.

Accordingly with rebuilding, and perhaps also by fear of invasions, one reinforced the walls and one prolonged them until the Arno, including a triangular occupied ground scrap from now on, another sign of a resumption of the population growth.

In the city and the surroundings, the number of churches increased. On the other hand, the monastery of the city exerted yet only one weak influence. It is only with the foundation of the church Badia Fiorentina, in 978 by Willa di Toscana, that Florence obtained a Benedictine abbey which became also a center of cultural radiation. At the same time, the son of Willa, Ugo di Toscana chooses the city like official place of residence of the Margraviat of Toscane, downgrading then Lucques as a political capital of the area.

The Middle Ages

After the year thousand

The resurrection of the city is clearly marked by the construction of the church San Miniato Al Assembles in 1013 on the orders of the Hildebrand bishop and with the approval of Henri II of the Holy roman Empire. It is about a Romance church in basilical plan with 3 naves and with a monastery which replaced the initial vault in 1018. They are the first steps of the proto-Rebirth which encourages the use of the traditional style, at the base of the future developments florentins.

In 1055 is held with Florence a council in the presence of the pope Victor II and of Henri III of the Holy roman Empire. It will be the occasion to embellish the churches Santa Felicita and Santa Reparata . Inspired by a movement of reform launched by the monk San Giovanni Gualberto , one will also benefit from it to condemn the Simonie and the Concubinage of the clergy.

At the same time, the marquis Goffredo di Lorena chooses to make Florence his capital.

In 1059, a Florentin bishop is selected like pope (Nicolas II)

The 12th century

If the efforts of San Giovanni Gualberto made undergo a first defeat with the clergy “imperialist”, the conflict therefore was not solved. In all the peninsula were formed popular groups (traditionally, but not exclusively, resulting from the working classes) which rebelled against the authority of the clergy “papist”. These confrontations between “papists” and “imperialists” will become then the bases of the conflict between Guelfes and Gibelins. As long as the countess Mathilde of Tuscany is alive, this one plays a role of mediator which maintains balance in the peninsula, of the Piedmont to the Latium. With Florence, it has a castle right outside the walls (close to current the basilica San Lorenzo) and its only occasional presence is enough to calm the town competitions until its death in 1115. During this period, one will continue to reinforce the walls and one will build an outpost on the river, the Castello d' Altafronte (with the current site of the Musée of the History of science).

A political vacuum is created by the quasi simultaneous disappearance of the family of the Cadolingi (1113) and of the countess Mathilde (1115), followed little time afterwards by a long period of interregnum (caused by the death of Henri V of the Holy roman Empire). Florence benefits from it to become a common autonomous, managed by Margraviat, an intermediate structure between empire and city. The first information on the autonomous councils appears in 1138 and indicates that they are supported by the episcopal authority. Few details are known on the form of government of the common because the official documents of the administration are practically non-existent until approximately of 1170. There were twelve councils per years (two in every two months), in addition to one council of 150 gentlemen , as well as a general meeting of the citizens four times per year. Thenecessary ones to make party of the councils and the various positions in the hierarchy are not known today. It is imagined that in practice, the big families controlled the communal political life.

Although in the panorama Tuscan the city still occupies a secondary place compared to Lucques, Pisa or His, it continued to grow during the 12th century, as well from the point of view of the craft industry as of that of the trade. The river port is in full rise and through Valdarno, the city is attached to the important road Via Francigena. The first certificate of corporations of arts and trades goes up with 1182. The merchants florentins already started to fit in the European market. Fabrics were imported of Flanders and France. Dyeing was imported the East. With all that, the florentins refined and coloured fabrics until making of them invaluable fabrics, which they then outside resold at full price. It is also at that time that the first bankings began. Those brought back generous profits, although they involve also certain risks, of which that to be marked of wear by the Catholic church.

Following the example other cities, Florence then starts to conquer the castles and the Fief S of the county, fixing gradually small the suzerains which maintained a great control on the neighbouring grounds. The catch of Fiesole and its destruction in 1125 were decisive. The cathedral was saved, but one forced the bishop to move inside the ramparts florentins. In the same way, it was required that the knights and the lords coming from the various conquered castles become citizens and that they reside in the city lasting a few months at least.

With half of the century, Florence dominated already a good part of the area of the Valdarno, of Figline to Empoli. The city was present on the scene regional policy, at the sides of the other important close cities.

Only the families Alberti (of the county of Prato in north and the west) and Guidi (of Montemurlo) continued to resist the pressures of the city, while inside the walls, the cohabitation between various the suzerains was founded on the financial capacity and the warlike traditions, like on the rights of revenge, which brought a militarization of the city and the construction of several turns. It is about the Florence described by Cacciaguida (the great-grandfather of Dante) in its Cerchia antica . Dante evoked this time with such an amount of nostalgia, perhaps because he had forgotten (or because he did not know) misery, the frequency of the conflicts and the coarseness which characterized it.

During this period however, separately the local families, a dominating part was also played by certain noble of the conquered counties and, little time then, by the middle-class commercial, manufacturing and banking incipient.

In 1171 Pisa is weakened by the wars against Genoa and the emperor Frederic Barberousse. She asks the military support of Florence. This one will offer its assistance in exchange of some advantageous conditions like a percentage on the monetary incomes, of the concessions on the transport of the goods and the merchants florentins on the territory and the ships of Pisa, as well as the access to the port with spaces of reserved storages. N the other hand however will begin the long wars against the Lucchesi and the Senesi which will be spread on the opposed face, determined to slow down the development of Florence.

The following year (1172), until in 1175, one proceeds to the enlarging of the ramparts, which will triple the surface of the city (from 24 to 75 Hectare S approximately), in order to include the many boroughs which had developed apart from the principal door of access, as well as the Oltrarno. While basing oneself on the economic growth and the continual arrival of people of the county (representing all the social classes), one estimates that the population rose with approximately 25.000 people. This rapid growth of the population and the economy complicates the social life and policy by accentuating the differences in classes.

In 1177, the Uberti try to reverse the system of alliances per faction (i.e. groups of several families) used to control the commune. It results from it bloody and devastator civil war which will last three years. Starting from this point, they were associated with the Empire, the name of which they had been raised. This conflict constitutes the embryo of fight which will oppose the groups incipient from the Guelfes and Gibelins. Beyond the allegiance with the Papacy or the Empire, these two factions in fight were above all with the research of the military, political and economic capacity within the city, however letting appear nobler and generous ideals.

In 1193, a new revolt is carried out once again by the Uberti , but this time they are supported by the merchants and the craftsmen. It will result abolition from it from the consular system. Although in 1197 restores, it became obvious that this system of government was from now on in crisis.

The 13th century

In 1207, indeed, the government was reformed and passed from two consuls to a single Podestat, preferably a knight of outside of the city so that it is impartial and without bonds with the conflicts opposing the various town factions. The first Podestat was Gualfredotto da Milano. In practice, it could exist a restricted oligarchical council, gathering inter alia the leaders of the corporations of arts and trades. Three new bridges were built on Arno at the beginning of the 13th century.

The beginnings of the conflicts between Guelfes and Gibelins is traditionally allotted to the quarrel, in 1215, between the Amidei E Buondelmonti (two noble families of Florence). However, the first confrontations occur in fact in 1246 when Frederic II of the Holy roman Empire invites Federico d' Antiochia in the city to support the party gibelins. After an initial resistance, Guelfes will be driven out, leaving the city with the hands of Gibelins, in particular the Uberti family, including Farinata degli Uberti, which inspired a famous page in the work of Dante (10th song of the hell ). With died from the emperor, in 1250, after a confrontation with Figline Valdarno, the population florentine was released from the influence of the big families, beginning one decade prosperous including the conquest from San Gimignano, Poggibonsi and Volterra as well as peace with Arezzo, His, Pistoia and Pisa.

At the same time, the corporations of arts (i.e. associations of merchants and craftsmen) took more and more importance with the foundation, in 1250 of the government of the first people , directed by a captain of the external population. Gibelins take again the capacity in 1260 thanks to the intervention of the king Manfred Ier of Sicily, wire of Frederic II. Those support the town of His. The army florentine will be demolished by the latter at the time of the Bataille of Montaperti, which will cause an exodus of the Guelfes big families. In 1266, the defeat of Manfred Ier at the time of the Battle of Bénévent mark the return of Guelfes and the one period beginning whose interpretation remains discussed.

An additional reason for tension appears with the scission of the party of Guelfes in two factions: white and blacks. This division is once again caused by a quarrel of clans, that which opposes the Vieri dei Cerchi (white, moderated) to the Donati (black, related to papacy). This division is also social, Cerchi being close to the people and Donati of the elite florentine. The latter intend to be opposed to the ordinances justice emitted by Giano della Bella. This chaotic period will also imply Charles de Valois, sent by the pope Boniface VIII and will lead to the expulsion of the “white” (among those Dante Alighieri). The oligarchy of the merchants was to now play the role of mediator between the nobility and the corporations of arts and trades (the five major ones and nine minors) among which dissatisfaction did not cease growing, whereas the differences were accentuated between the middle-class and the working class. The departure of the “white” will not be enough to put an end to the conflict. The faction of the “blacks” will be also divided it into two enemy groups: the Donateschi (directed by Corso Donati) and the Tosinghi (directed by Rosso del Tosa ). After the execution of Corso Donati and the departure of its partisans, the city was temporarily pacified.

These political conflicts did not prevent the city from developing with the point to become one of most prosperous and influential of Europe, thanks to the introduction in 1252 of its own currency of gold, the Florin like thanks to the decline of its rival Pisa (demolished by Genoa in 1284 and conquered by Florence in 1406) and also thanks to its economic capacity, resulting from an anti-aristocratic constitution (1293).

The 14th century

The known economy florentine at the 14th century a true rise, in particular between the years 1336 and 1340. During these years, one will affaira oneself to supplement the large building sites begun at the time of the 13th century (cathedral, old palate and ramparts) and one started the new ones: Orsanmichele, Loggia dei Lanzi, Loggia del Bigallo, which is generally regarded as the Chant of the swan of the Gothic architecture with Florence.

The Black Death in 1348 striking hard the economy florentine by eliminating most of the population, but not in an irremediable way as to His. Giovanni Boccaccio will take as a starting point this catastrophe to write its masterpiece Décaméron.

In 1378, the revolt of the Ciompi announces an important upheaval in the institutions of the republic: For the first time (or almost) in Europe, a class of proletarian workers asserts important rights and its action, perhaps thanks to the effect of surprise, is quickly crowned success. Unfortunately internal divisions will cause a defeat quite as fast Ciompi, bringing the cancellation of the reforms obtained.

After repression of Ciompi, capacity turned over between hands of small number of families of bankers, among which family Albizzi (government Oligarchical 1382 - 1434), which sought to prevent that Florence is not transformed into a Seigneurie, at that time which marks the twilight of the medieval communes and the passage towards the form seigneuriale.

During this period of Oligarchical government , the economy of the continuous city to flower and its foreign policy supports Venice against the Visconti. In 1406 one occupies Pisa. The people, exclude from the government, try on various occasions to reverse oligarchy. He will end up being combined with the family Médicis. In 1433, Cosimo, chief of Médicis, will be exiled. However, the following year its partisans obtain the Prieurat and Cosimo was recalled to Florence. Its return marks the end of the oligarchical government and the beginning of the seigniory of Médicis.

Rebirth

Cosimo de' Medici preserved the form external of the republic, but it however obtained from the people the capacity to choose the candidates at the official stations of the commune. In this way, so of outside it is nothing more than one citizen like the others, Cosimo controls actually the government of the city. By concluding some alliances, Cosimo succeeds in preventing Milan and Venice to dominate the north of the Italy. It consolidates the capacity of Florence on the area Toscane.

The republic of Lucques was the single commune-city-state which will never be subjected to Florence, resident always independent and sovereign. It will agree to annex only to the Grand-Duchy of Toscane in the Années 1800 and then with the kingdom of Italy.

Before dying, Jerome Savonarole leaves a treaty for the government of Florence. In this text several arguments are which will become objects of controversies nun during the following centuries.

Another remarkable historical character, Nicolas Machiavel will also leave behind him, for the government of Florence, a controversial text often interpreted like a cynical legitimation of handling and political abuses.

The florentins will expel Médicis second once the May 16th 1527 to restore a République.

The Grand Duchy

Taking again the capacity for the second time, thanks to the support of the emperor Charles Quint and the pope Clement VII (i.e. Jules de Médicis ), the Médicis will become hereditary Duc S of Florence, and in 1569 large-dukes of Toscane. They will reign during two Siècle S. At the same time, in 1555, Florence will definitively overcome His, its enemy since hundreds of years. The Traités of Cateau-Cambrésis will sanction the annexation of the republic of His with the possessions of Médicis, leaving intact the preceding political structure, even if this one does not hold any more the true decisional capacity.

The disappearance of the dynasty of the Médicis and the arrival in 1737 of François Ier of the Holy roman Empire, duke of Lorraine and husband of Marie-Therese Ire of Hungary, leads to the inclusion of the Toscane in the satellite territories of the Austrian crown, even if the area keeps in fact a certain autonomy. The dynasty of the Grand Duchy of Lorraine controls the city peacefully, being characterized by its liberalism. Whereas Leghorn becomes a zone of free trade (where each one can be established without fear of religious or legal persecutions) among most active of the the Mediterranean, the large-duke of Toscane Léopold II of Austria lance a land reform and becomes the first sovereign of Europe to abolish torture and the capital punishment. Its reputation of monarche illuminated made of him a figure estimated by the main actors of the Age of Enlightenment.

The XIX {{E}} and the XX {{E}} century

In 1861, a Plébiscite allows the revocation of the Grand Duchy and the annexation of the Toscane the Royaume of Italy lately reconstituted under the control surface of the King de Sardaigne, Victor-Emmanuel II of Savoy.

Florence replaces Turin like capital in 1865, but this prestigious function returns to Rome six years later, the Latium having in its turn annexed to the kingdom. During this period, several work of modifications is undertaken to renovate and improve the state of the Florentin historical center and to adapt it to the new economic and social requirements.

The double population of Florence during the 19th century and will triple during the next century with the increase in tourism, the trade and the finance departments, as well as the development of industry. At the time of second half of the 19th century, the foreign community develops to reach 25% of the population. It is during this period that the city finds a romantic image, immortalized by writer S like James Irving and of the artists préraphaélites, who will leave behind them many sumptuous villas, generally English, with their eclectics collections of works of Article These villas became today of the museums, like the museum Horne , the museum Stibbert , the Villa Pietra, etc

At the time of the Second world war, the city is occupied during one year by the Germans (1943 - 1944). A great movement of resistance to the fascistic occupation and Nazi extends then and will culminate with the insurrection of August 1944, which will involve the forces partisanes in a battle for the release of the city, the August 11th 1944.

During this conflict, the territory of Florence is also the theater of many events. The Sad palate Villa , located at the time on the street Bolognese 69, is used by police officers Nazi S and fascists, who torture there many prisoners, of which resistant Bruno Fanciullacci and Anna Maria Enriques Agnoletti . Resistance organizes a clandestine radio emitting since Florence, the Radio CORA , to maintain the contact between the various groups of the Toscane.

The February 12th 1951, the fashion Made in Italy makes officially its beginnings with Florence at the time of the first Italian procession organized by Giovanni Battista Giorgini.

The November 6th 1966, the Arno floods most of the downtown area, damaging many masterpieces. A great movement of international solidarity is born following this event and mobilizes thousands of volunteers, called the angels of mud .

External bonds

history of Florence
history of Florence
angels of mud, floods of 1966

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