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Florence
Florence, the magic city
of Tuscany:
History:
Florence was born in Roman Republican times
when the conqueror Sulla went to Tuscany in order to build new Roman colonies.
The year was the 82 BC and in that period Rome was fighting Fiesole, a small
village on the hills near Florence. The name Florence, in Italian “ Firenze “,
came from the God “Flora”, the flowers’ Ancient Romans God. They used to
remember “Flora” God in spring, and the new colonies were usually built up in
that Season, so the city was named Florence. More info about Florence -->
Florence guide.
 
The first Roman village was built near the Arno river,
approximately in the same place of the historical centre of the actual city.
The first old village was very small, 300 x 400 meters, and was given to a lot
of veterans. They had also a lot of terrains in the countries near the village
and began working hard on them. In a few years the village began to become
important for commerce and cultivation so that Rome decided to expand and to
fortify Florence. During time of Emperor Hadrian the first bridge of Florence
was built a lot of meters far from the actual Old Bridge. It was a wood bridge.
During the second century AD, Florence was a shining Roman style city,
water-supplied, with a lot of temples and theaters. During the first centuries
of the I Millennium Italy was invaded by a lot of Barbarian tribes coming from
North Europe. Those rough and dirty populations came to Italy in
order to steal food and goods in beautiful Italian cities. Also Florence
was attacked by the Ostrogoth tribe, but during 405 AD the barbarian tribe lost
the war and Florence was still free, but just for a few years. In facts
during the second Gothic war Florence was conquered by Totila
and after him Longobards dominated the city.
 
During the reign of the Longobards the “Tuscia” (Tuscany) region
was controlled by Dukes that gave importance also to the others Tuscany towns
as Lucca and Pisa. The Longobards controlled Florence until 770 AD.
At the beginning of 1400 AD Florence, as many others
Italian cities, was governed by a Lordship. In particular there were many
important families aspiring to leadership; Medici’s family was one of those.
They managed to gain power writing Florence history for many years. They became
rich because of their ability in commerce and trade. In 1433-1434 “Cosimo de
Medici” fought ,by common people side, the rich oligarchy dominating Florence.
After that he was the triumphing and well-liked Lord of Florence. The public
opinion put Florence in his hands because he was able to take wise decisions
for the city and to govern in peace. Cosimo signed many peace treaties with the
most important Lordships in Italy to ensure a period of quiet and stillness.
During this period art and culture were incremented by the Duke that loved to
be surrounded by the most famous artists of the period. After Cosimo, Piero de
Medici became Lord and after him Lorenzo “il Magnifico” governed the city. Many
times the opposite families tried to drive the Medici out from the city but
this never happened for many years. Piero, succeeding Lorenzo, was not so able
to govern Florence and because of wrong decisions he was driven out . The
Florentine Republic was founded ( 1494-1530 ).
The old bridge, il
"Ponte vecchio".
 
The first bridge crossing the river Arno in Florence was
built during the Roman Empire. During the centuries Florence was often flooded
because of heavy rain and so the bridge was often destroyed and than rebuilt.
During Middle Age the bridge was destroyed in 1177 by an overflowing and a
temporary woody trestle bridge was built near the place where the old one was
built. Only in 1294 AD the bridge was consolidated. It was supported by five
arches and a lot of shops were built overhanging the river. It was the only one
bridge of the city until 1220 AD when the “ Carraia Bridge” was built near the
old one. The first bridge was so named “OLD BRIDGE” while the newest was called
“ Thee New Bridge”. Other two bridges were built in that period as trading and
commerce needed. A special office “ Opus Pontis ” was created by the Lordship
of Florence in 1200 to control the bridge. Unfortunately in 1333 AD Florence
was flooded again by the river Arno. All the bridges were destroyed. Patiently
Florence began to rebuild the bridges and the Old one was finished in 1350 AD.
Only three smart and slim arches supported the new bridge, projected to let the
water flow freely during heavy rain periods. Over the bridge many shops were
built and in 1593 AD Florentine goldsmiths were allowed to establish there.
That was the bridge we can see today, the oldest, the most beautiful one all
around the world.
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