SUNDAY, FEB 7th - FREE ENTRANCE IN ALL STATE RUN MUSEUMS OF FLORENCE

Sunday, Feb 7th, 2016 (the first sunday of the month) the state run museums of Florence will be free of charge !!!

There is no need to make reservationS, just queue up and in few minutes you will enter the museum.

Here is the list of the state run museums that you can visit:

 Galleria degli Uffizi, 

Galleria dell'Accademia,

 Galleria Palatina e Galleria d'Arte Moderna,

 Museo degli Argenti, Galleria del Costume, Museo delle Porcellane,
Giardino di Boboli e Giardino Bardini,

 Museo del Bargello,

 Cappelle Medicee,

Museo Archeologico,

 Palazzo Davanzati,

Cenacolo di Andrea del Sarto.

THE LAST GERMAN MARKET IN SANTA CROCE

Santa Croce: l'ultima volta del Mercatino di Natale. Le 'casette' fino al 23 dicembre
„Weihnachtsmarkt“

Potrebbe interessarti:http://www.firenzetoday.it/cronaca/mercatino-natale-tedesco-santa-croce-2013.html
Seguici su Facebook:http://www.facebook.com/FirenzeToday

Probably this will be the last german market in Santa Croce square.

In Florence the temperatures are very low this days, so what a better opportunity to escape the ice tasting a mulled wine, sausages, bretzel or simply buying a christmas present in the picturesque square until December 23rd, 2013??

As the Councillor for Culture of the city of Florence and the organizers said: the market will be moved elswhere (but still dont know where - maybe Santa Maria Novella square).

THE TERRACES OF THE CATHEDRAL

Duomo

The feast of the "Opera di Santa Maria del Fiore" better known as the DUOMO to the florentines, was established in 1985 and is celebrated on 8 September each year, in memory of the laying of the foundation stone of the cathedral, which occurred on the day dedicated to the Nativity of Mary, in 1296 (or 1298 according to other sources).

The main event (from 1pm to 4pm) of the day is the free opening of the outdoor terraces of the cathedral with the traditional walk of thirty-two meters high, walk that gives to the Florentines and to the guests of our city a unique and unusual overview of Florence.

Also can visit for free the Duomo (1:30pm - 4:45pm), the Baptistry (8:30am - 2pm), Giotto tower (8:30am - 7:30pm) and the museum (9am - 1:45pm)

Battistero

NOTTE DEI MUSEI 2013

#nottedeimusei2013

Save the date: Saturday May 18th, 2013

All state run museums of Florence are open from 7pm to 11pm for the Museums Night with 

no fee entrance.

Don't loose the chance to visit the Uffizi Gallery, The Palatine Gallery, the Accademia Gallery or the Aerceogical Museum for free.

WINE TOWN 2013

Wine Town Firenze 2013

The alcoholic week-end of Florence is coming.

Get ready for some wine tasting in the historical city centre...

Buy the wine card w/ only €15, grab a wine glass and taste as much as you can...

For more infos please visit www.winetown.it

THE SPACE ELEPHANT

The space elephant

Ther's a strange sculpure in the train station square... it is a space elephant sculpture.

Do you know who's the artist???

NOTTE BIANCA APRIL 30TH, 2013

#nottebiancafirenze

Night life lovers mark April 30th, 2013 on your calendar! This is when the entire city of Florence is in the mood to celebrate all night long.

After its succes over the last few years, Florence will host again "La Notte Bianca" an event which transform the city center in an open air festival. Starting at sunset, the city's streets and squares become stages for various shows and concerts, encouraging anyone to join in.

This night Florence will appear in its most modern, open-minded and lively form. More than ever, the city becomes a venue for multiculturalism, where people cheerfully indulge in art, music and solidarity.

Beside performances, art installations and tours taking place throughout the city, the main museums and libraries invite visitors to free exhibitions, film screenings and readings. For short rests or midnight dinners resaturants and bars stay open until late.

The sheer number of special events on the agenda will make it difficult to choose, keeping one on his or her toes all night. Whether joining a classic concert in the cathedral, watching street artists in Piazza Santa Croce or listening to live bands at Ponte Vecchio - this year's "Creative Insomnia" will undoubtley again fill the streets of Florence with boisterious culture and vitality.

The official hashtag of the night will be #nottebiancafirenze

follow your preferred social media websites an stay tuned

P.S. I forgot... there will be a flashmod dedicated to Grease... here's the video...

30° FLORENCE HALF MARATHON 2013

XXX Half Marathon FLorence

Vivicittà is the annual Half Marathon of Florence which takes place Sunday, April 7th, 2013.

There are 4 races taking place: 

the Half Marathon (21,097km) €20/24 for the registration fee starting at 9:30pm, 

the non competitive race (10km) €5 for the registration fee starting at 9:45am, 

the walking with Milena Megli (5km) €5 for the registration fee starting at 9:45am, 

and the Tommasino Run for the kids with a free registration fee.

All this races will start from Santa Corece Square!!! 

Find below the course of the Half Marathon

30° Half Marathon Firenze

To register yourself and for other infos please visit the official website

http://www.halfmarathonfirenze.it/

LOGGIA DI PALAZZO STROZZI

Loggia di Palazzo Strozzi - Firenze, Italy

If you're looking for a shelter from the rain in the city center, a marvelous one is the Loggia di Palazzo Strozzi. This Reinassance courtyard is always open and overlooks Piazza Strozzi, Via degli Strozzi and Via de Tornabuoni.

Enjoy a coffe or a drink at the Caffetteria open until late at night.

Very often there are temporary installations by artists and architects of international renown.

It is difficult to get bored in this place!!!

Loggia di Palazzo Strozzi - Firenze, Italy

Have a look at the Fondazione Palazzo Strozzi website to know all their exhibitions, activities and events... http://www.palazzostrozzi.org/index.jsp?idProgetto=2&idLinguaSito=2

Loggia di Palazzo Strozzi - Firenze, Italy

Palazzo Strozzi

50123 Firenze

ANNIVERSARY ELECTRESS PALATINE

Anna Maria Luisa de' Medici - Elettrice Palatina

Today, Feb 18th, 2013, on her 270 anniverasry of death, the last surviving of the Medici family, the Electress Palatine, will be commemorated by the city of Florence with free access to the 

Civic Museums.

Take the chance to visit the Palazzo Vecchio and the Torre di Arnolfo from 10am to 6pm.

Here more info: http://www.museicivicifiorentini.it/en/index.html

VERTICAL GARDENS OF FLORENCE

Yes you unterdand very well... There are the vertical gardens in Florence!!!

Go and see them in Viale Giovine Italia

(between Via dell'Agnolo and Via Ghibellina)

THE PALAZZO PANDOLFINI

Palazzo Pandolfini

Walking in the streets of Florence some Latin inscriptions on the ledge near the roof of a building caught my attention. 

I inquiered and found out that it was the Palazzo Pandolfini. 

Palazzo Pandolfini - Florence, Italy

It was build around year 1520 by Raphael Sanzio and was the residence of bishop Giannozzo Pandolfini and after hi death of Ferdinando Pandolfini.

Palazzo Pandolfini - Firenze

The decoration of the ledge was an initiative of Ferdinando with an inscription dedicated to Leone X and Clemente VII, in gratitude for the many favors received by the two Medici's popes.

The garden, for excample, was enriched with staues and fountaines donated by Pope Leone X.

The access inside the palace is really hard as it is privately held

Palazzo Pandolfini

Via San Gallo, 74

Florence, Italy

FOUR SEASONS FIRENZE FOR CHARITY

Giardino della Gherardesca - Firenze, Italy

Finally the privately held Giardino della Gherardesca opens its doors for charity on Sunday, December 16th, 2012. 

Go and visit it at the Four Seasons Firenze in Borgo Pinti 99.

All the money collected will be donated to the Istituto degli Innocenti which everyday takes care of children.

There will be activities for kids and adults such as games and food markets and souvenirs and of course a lot of Santa Claus with gifts.

Don't miss this open day to rise funds for charity. What you have to do is to offer some money (starting from €1) and have fun !!!

Giardino della Gherardesca @ Four Seasons Firenze

SYNAGOGUE OF FLORENCE

Sinagoga di Firenze

The synagogue was built between years 1784 and 1882 by the jewish architect Mario Traves.

The overall form of the synagogue is the cruciform of the Hagia Sophia emulated by so many mosques.

Its structure is alternated of travertine and pink pomato. Old photographs show bold red and beige stripes, but the bold colors of the stone have faded over time, leavink a ore mottled effect.

Synagogue of Florence

It has a great dome and two corner towers topped by smaller domes in a perfect Moorish style. The domes are sheathed in copper wich has turned green over the years. 

Interior of the synagogue

The interior, suffused with golden light, is covered with decorative motifs by Giovanni Panti, consisting in red and blue arabesques. 

The synagogue during world war II was used as a vehicle garage by the fascists and after the war the italian resistance saved it by beeig destroyed. Only a limited amount of damage was done.

The doors of the Holy Ark - before wich a lamp burns perpetually - still bear scars inflicted by Fascists bayonetes.

The Great Synagogue of Florence

Via Luigi Carlo Farini, 6

Info and Reservations: +39 055 2346654

Open: Everyday from 10am to 5pm

Closed: Every saturday and on Jewish holidays/December 25th/January1st

Tickets price: full €5 / reduced €4

FLORENCE GERMAN MARKET

Mercatino di Natale - Firenze

Yes, it's Christmas time in Florence. As every year ther's the German Market (Mercatino di Natale) in the Santa Croce Square until December 16th, 2012.

Florence, Italy - German Market

Before you reach the place you can feel the smell of the typical german frankfurter sausages and sauerkraut, the pork knaukle and the italian porchetta...in the nearby streets.

Stinco di maiale - Firenze, Santa Croce

Stop there for a delicious lunch or dinner!

You'll find spices from all over the world!

If you feel cold drink the german hot wine (mulled wine). Only €2.5 for a glass!!!! Not bad compared with the price of the beer €5/pint.

Vin brulè

Pretzel and strudel

And to finish your busy day at the market you can buy lots of Haribo gummy bears and candy. 100gr for €2,5... Remember: take care of your teeth!!!

Haribo gummy bears - Florence, Italy

Mercatino di Natale in Piazza Santa Croce

APERITIVO AD ARTE @ PALAZZO DAVANZATI

Aperitivo ad arte @ Palazzo Davanzati - Florence, Italy

Every friday from November 16th, 2012 to February 1st, 2013 the Apertitivo ad Arte will take place at Palazzo Davanzati in Florence, Italy (via Porta Rossa 13).

Make something different on friday evening from 7pm to 10.30pm, go and visit this ancient florentine palace enjoying an aperitivo and every 45 minutes the Compagnia delle Seggiole will perform in a scenic way with Renaissance music how life was at the period.

Reservation is recommended at this number: +39 055 294883 . The cost of the aperitivo is €15 per person!

BIKE LANES IN FLORENCE

Bike lanes in Florence

There are km and km of bike lanes in Florence. In my opinon the most suggestive one is this: Start from the Santa Croce Square than head to the National Library of Florence and take left to the Lungarno delle Grazie and than Lungarno Serristori... until reaching the San Niccolò bridge.

Bike route in Florence, Italy

Go over the San Niccolò bridge and take right to Lungarno Cellini and Lungarno Serristori and take a stop in the Ponte alle Grazie bridge to take some pictures. Here the views you can have:

View fron Ponte alle Grazie - Florence, Italy

View fron Ponte alle Grazie - Florence, Italy

View fron Ponte alle Grazie - Florence, Italy

View fron Ponte alle Grazie - Florence, Italy

Keep going straight in Lungarno Torrigiani, reach the Ponte Vecchio and go over it for a lovely view of the Uffizi Gallery. 

Than take left to Lungarno Acciaiuoli and Lungarno Corsini and stop in Ponte alla Carraia bridge for some pictures of the Cestello and Ognissanti church. As well you will admire the Grand Hotel and the French Institute of Florence.

Cestello - Florence, Italy

Ognissanti church - Florence, Italy

Grand Hotel St. Regis - Florence, Italy

French Institute of Florence

After this stop you go ahead in the Lungarno Vespucci and after 500mt you'll reach the Cascine park. The Casine are the biggest pubblic park of Florence where you can go for a ride, jogging or for a pic-nic in the warm months.

Lungarno A. Vespucci - Florence, Italy

Cascine park - Florence, Italy

Pyramid in Florence

Cascine park - Florence, Italy

Cascine park - Florence, Italy

This bike route is about 5km long and it is easy for all. You don't need andy specialized bike. A city bike will be fine. Remember to take a bottle of water with you when it's hot.

And please be careful!!!

Find here where to rent bikes and their prices.