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Florence is the world’s celebrated jewel of Renaissance art and architecture. It is famous for perfect voluptuous domes and intimate restaurants with perfect steaks and wine. The Uffizi is the perfect art museum and and the Palazzo Pitti has the perfect Royal apartments. The Accademia has the perfect sculptures and the Baptistry has the perfect doors. Even the tombs are perfect at Santa Croce. The leather is perfect, the silk is perfect and the perfume made at Santa Maria Novella is perfect.
DECEMBER 8TH: IMMACULATE CONCEPTION DAY
December 8 in Italy is a National holiday that celebrates the Immaculate Conception. This day of festivity unofficially starts the countdown to Christmas as many families traditionally use this day to set up and decorate their Christmas tree and Nativity scene in their homes.
On December 8th, in Florence’s historic center, the large Christmas tree is set up in the magnificent setting of the Piazza del Duomo. The lighting up of the Christmas tree is accompanied by an official public ceremony with the participation of Florence’s Mayor and sometimes other events, such as concerts and entertainment for everyone.
In Piazza del Duomo you’ll also find the Nativity scene, located to the front and left of the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore. The Nativity has life-size beautiful statues made in terracotta by an artisan of Impruneta, a village in the surroundings of Florence famous for the production of terracotta items.
Both the Christmas tree and the Nativity scene are up until January 6, the day of Epiphany.
Accademia – DSC 1177 ep (Photo credit: Eric.Parker)
Via Tornabuoni is a perfect street for shopping with designer powerhouses like Salvatore Ferragamo, Gucci, Enrico Coveri, Roberto Cavalli and Emilio Pucci willing to sell you holiday goodies. Even the Piazzas are perfect! Florence is the perfect UNESCO site with many perfect “Vino con Vista” opportunities.
Florence rose to economic and cultural pre-eminence under the mighty Medici dynasty in the 15th and 16th centuries. The churches, galleries and palaces contain the world’s largest concentration of Renaissance art and sculpture.
loggia dei lanzi florence (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
English: Perseus holding the head of Medusa, by Benvenuto Cellini, Loggia dei Lanzi, Florence; Italie Français : Persée tenant la tête de Méduse, par Benvenuto Cellini, Loggia dei Lanzi, Florence, Italie. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Palais Pitti, Florence (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
The city was built on the site of an Etruscan settlement, and has 600 years of extraordinary artistic activity. It is an incredibly compact city for walking. Walk to the Piazzale Michelangelo at sunset for a perfect glimmering moonlit cityscape. Marvel at Florence’s panoramic glory as the cloak of darkness descends over her dimly lit splendor.
“The Rape of Polyxena”, sculpture by Pio Fedi (1816-1892), in 1866 : Loggia dei Lanzi, Florence, Italy. Photo by Thermos. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Natural and man-made disasters have threatened the city’s wealth of art history and perfection. In 1966, the Arno River’s devastating flood destroyed or severely damaged Florentine treasures. In 1993, a mafia bomb exploded near the Uffizi and severely damaged the gallery. The Ponte Vecchio was the only bridge to escape Nazi bombs.
Loggia dei Lanzi. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Her glorious past is evident in the monumental grandeur and perfection of her structures: the 13th-century cathedral Santa Maria del Fiore, the Church of Santa Croce, the Uffizi, Santa Maria Novella, the Galleria dell’Accademia, the Bargello and the Pitti Palace. Works of art history grace every public building. Landmark cloisters, chapels and refectories are galleries of perfect Renaissance art.
The façade of Santa Maria Novella, completed by Leon Battista Alberti in 1470. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
The Loggia dei Lanzi (Photo credit: **Mary**)
Stroll the Via dei Calzaiuoli, between Piazza del Duomo and Piazza della Signoria and imagine the creative genius that flourished in this city; evidenced by the works in the Loggia dei Lanzi. The Loggia was originally designed to shelter dignitaries watching civic ceremonies.
The Rape of the Sabine Women by Giambologna, in the Loggia dei Lanzi in Florence. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
This elegant, compact city, is bounded on the southern side by the glistening Arno River. Distinctive works of great masters such as Giotto, Brunelleschi, Botticelli and Michelangelo adorn every nook and cranny of this perfectly majestic city. Visit Florence during the holidays for the perfect vacation.
Perfect Holiday Events in Florence:
German Christmas Market in Piazza Santa Croce
The biggest Christmas market in Florence is located in Piazza Santa Croce, and generally lasts from the end of November to December 22nd. It draws on the German Christmas markets, small wooden houses, and different items from crafts to food products, small furniture and Christmas decorations. In 2019, the Christmas market will be from November 23rd to December 22nd, from 10 am to 10 pm.
“Florence Noel” at the Stazione Leopoldo from December 4-12
“Fierucola di Natale” in Piazza Santo Spirito on December 19th
Christmas Party in Gambassi Terme on December 4-5
Annual “Sagra Antichi Sapori di Toscana” at Lastra a Signa December 3-8
“Sagra del Tartufo e Antichi Sapori del Mugello” in Borgo San Lorenzo December 8-12
Happy Holidays from Vino con Vista
Buon Natale and Happy Holidays from www.vino-con-vista.com
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