Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
ruled by the Medici Pope Clement VII, fell to the emperor Charles V in 1527, the
Florentines took advantage of this low point in the Medici fortunes to kick the family out
again. Two years later though, imperial and papal forces besieged Florence, forcing the
city to accept Lorenzo's great-grandson, Alessandro de' Medici, a ruthless transvestite
whom Charles made Duke of Florence. Medici rule continued for another 200 years, dur-
ing which time they gained control of all of Tuscany, though after the reign of Cosimo I
(1537-74), Florence drifted into steep decline.
The last male Medici, Gian Gastone, died in 1737, after which his sister, Anna Maria,
signed the grand duchy of Tuscany over to the House of Habsburg-Lorraine (at the time
effectively under Austrian control). This situation remained unchanged, apart from a brief
interruption under Napoleon from 1799 to 1814, until the duchy was incorporated into the
Kingdom of Italy in 1860. Florence briefly became the national capital a year later, but
Rome assumed the mantle permanently in 1871.
Florence was badly damaged during WWII by the retreating Germans, who blew up all
of its bridges except the Ponte Vecchio. Devastating floods ravaged the city in 1966, caus-
ing inestimable damage to its buildings and artworks. However, the salvage operation led
to the widespread use of modern restoration techniques that have saved artworks
throughout the country. In 1993 the Mafia exploded a massive car bomb, killing five, in-
juring 37 and destroying a part of the Uffizi. Just over two decades later and amid a fair
amount of controversy, this world-class gallery is in the midst of its biggest- ever expan-
sion, end date yet to be confirmed.
Sights & Activities
Florence seriously overwhelms. Its wealth of museums and galleries house many of the
world's most important and exquisite examples of Renaissance art, and its architecture is
unrivalled. Yet the secret is not to feel pressured to see and do everything on offer here:
combine your personal pick of the major sights with ample meandering through the city's
warren of narrow streets.
Most churches enforce a strict dress code for visitors: no shorts, sleeveless shirts or
plunging necklines.
