When I was twenty years old, writing my thesis on the works of Niccolò Machiavelli and the political situation in Florence during the reign of the Medici dynasty, I had no idea that I would have to wait another twenty years before visiting the city itself. But the wait was worth it. At four o'clock in the morning, we packed our bags and left Solingen, arriving in the evening to breathe the air of this flourishing city .
Exploring Florence on foot
A gray but surprisingly warm and mild morning, the climate being a blend of subtropical and Mediterranean, sent us out from the hotel to discover the beauty of Florence . As we strolled through the narrow lanes, barely wide enough for a car (especially for anyone not born in Italy, though driving there is a chapter unto itself), we imagined those same streets being walked by Machiavelli centuries ago. In our mind's eye, we could see Cosimo de' Medici, and later his famous descendant Lorenzo, hurrying through the city.
One of those streets was home to the workshop of Verrocchio, whose students included Sandro Botticelli, Pietro Perugino, and Leonardo da Vinci. It was here that the great masters of the Renaissance came of age: Michelangelo Buonarroti and Raffael Santi. Here, Dante Alighieri wrote his "Divine Comedy," and Galileo Galilei made groundbreaking astronomical discoveries. Perhaps it was here that a boy playing on the banks of the Arno once dreamed of crossing oceans and discovering new continents. Thanks to his achievements in geography, music, and nautical astronomy, Amerigo Vespucci reached the land that today bears his name.
Florence is rich in cultural highlights
Of course, it was impossible to visit all the museums, churches, and chapels scattered throughout the city in a single day. Even so, the most celebrated sites, known the world over, were naturally on the itinerary. As we took in the historic landmarks , the rain suddenly began to fall. Undeterred, we ducked into one of the cafés for a break and a hot cup of cappuccino.
It must be said that the prices came as a surprise: 5.50 euros for the two of us. This may not be Rome, but still. We had decided in advance, however, to skip the cafés immediately next to the cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore or the Piazza della Signoria and walk a few streets further. Worth noting: the courtyard of the Signoria can be visited free of charge!
Florence is also the birthplace of the Italian language
Florence is an ideal place to learn or perfect Italian. This is where the language was born and refined, and where the purest Italianis spoken. Local dialects exist, of course, but anyone serious about learning the language would do well to spend more than just a day in Florence. That is something to look forward to on a future visit, when there will be more to share about the capital of Tuscany .
What better way to round off a full day than with a meal at a trattoria near the city center? Before every dish ordered, guests are served schiacciata, a flatbread baked in the oven. The name literally means "crushed," as the dough is pressed down with the fingers in several places before baking, creating the characteristic dimples. It is used either for sandwiches or served as an appetizer, as enjoyed at the trattoria on this occasion. No matter what the day in Florence brings, whether overcast skies with light rain or brilliant sunshine, the first impression of the birthplace of the piano stays with you long after.