Florence - Piazza della Signoria

Florentina was established in Roman times as a settlement for veteran soldiers. The name had changed already when young Charlemagne conquered the town in 774. It became part of the Duchy of Tuscany, with Lucca as the capital. Around 1000 Margrave Hugo chose Florence as residency instead of Lucca. After the death of Matilda of Tuscany (1115), the Florentines formed a republic ruled by a council. The town prospered, despite a constant fight between the different factions and noble families.

In the 15th century, Florence was among the largest and wealthiest cities in Europe. This was when the Medici family entered the political scene. As a dynasty of art-loving, power-hungry bankers, they made Florence the birthplace of the Renaissance.

The Piazza della Signoria is the most important point of origin and history of the Florentine Republic and still maintains its reputation as the political center of the city. On May 23, 1498 Girolamo Savonarola was hanged and burned here for heresy.

The "Fontana del Nettuno" (here seen in the late afternoon) was designed by Baccio Bandinelli, but created by Bartolomeo Ammannati between 1560 and 1574.