Florence

Walking Tours

1. It contributed to the death of Latin

Florentine writers such as Dante and Boccaccio were among the first to abandon Latin in favor of Tuscan, which went on to become Italian. Still, Latin's decline was hardly overnight!

2. Florence Nightingale was born here

Though British by blood, the founder of modern nursing was named for the city of her birth. Her sister was less lucky. Born in Naples, she was given its ancient name - Parthenope!

3. Only one of its bridges survived World War II

Much of medieval Florence was destroyed by the retreating Nazis, including every bridge but the Ponte Vecchio. Allegedly, Hitler demanded it be spared because of its unique beauty.

4. It boasts more artistic wealth than anywhere else

Florence is home to some of the world's most renowned galleries, including one of the oldest - the Uffizi. The city is reported to hold almost a third of the world's art treasures!

5. It's the birthplace of the piano

Though the harpsichord was already a popular Renaissance-era instrument, the pianoforte was invented in Florence by Bartolomeo Cristofori, originally from Padua.