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The other day I was walking in Florence, which I do every day.
Suddenly I realised: Wow, I'm in Florence!
That's what Florence gives me: Every day I'm amazed.
Ciao! My name is Marco Badiani.
I am the director of The Florentine, an English-language newspaper.
We are now on the roof of the Astoria Hotel enjoying the landscape.
In Florence rooftops are very popular.
It's worth it the effort. Look around.
Florence grew up on the banks of the river Arno.
Florence experienced enormous growth...
as a result of two main activities: wool and banking.
This allowed the city to expand tremendously in the 13th century.
The Duomo was built in that age, as were many other important buildings.
Then the city got a boost.
This occurred in the period we call the Renaissance.
The time when the Medici family came to power.
The Medicis had a huge influence on the Renaissance.
They invested a lot of money in supporting artists.
You could call them the funders of the Renaissance.
This bridge takes us to Oltrarno.
This is Piazza Pitti and the Pitti Palace.
This neighbourhood, Oltrarno, is very peaceful and relaxed.
On the right bank of the Arno it is much more touristy.
Here there's fewer people, it's more relaxed, in slow motion.
There are a lot of artisans, artists' ateliers...
vintage shops, nice restaurants.
This is also a place where young people like to come at night...
to have a drink, or be on the streets with their friends.
We are now in the workshop of Pitti Mosaici.
They use an interesting technique that dates back to the Renaissance.
From the time when the Medici were building their chapel...
behind San Lorenzo.
This techniques makes mosaics from stone and semi-precious stones.
It is like seeing people from the Renaissance at work.
This is the kind of workshop you'll find in Oltrarno.
Here you see shoes still made by hand.
So if you have strange feet or an eccentric or expensive taste...
you can get bespoke shoes.
They make a mould of your foot, and keep it in their archives.
You can decide on the leather, colour and shape.
You'll have a unique pair.
This is true Oltrarno style.
We are now at the central market, near the San Lorenzo.
It dates back to the late 19th century.
People meet each other here.
I'll have this one.
We'll have a lampredotto panino.
A lampredotto panino, please. It is a typical...
Florentine sandwich.
It's from the fourth stomach of a cow.
It used to be food for the poor, now it is very trendy.
You should try it. The consistency and taste are very special.
Want to try?
We are now at the Santo Spirito, a church designed by Filippo Brunelleschi.
It is probably one of the first buildings constructed...
based on drawings.
Filippo Brunelleschi was...
one of the first architects in history.
He liked simplicity.
The main feeling you have here is harmony.
And everything is in proportion.
The crucifix of Michelangelo which we'll see next...
was only recently rediscovered, in 1960.
The crucifix was entirely covered in green paint.
Probably to protect it from people who meant it harm.
People such as Napoleon, who might have wanted to take it.
It was fully restored...
and now it is one of the main pieces in the church.
We are standing in front of Pala Nerli by Filippino Lippi.
In general, these types of paintings, these masterpieces...
are found in museums, not churches.
But we are lucky we can see this here, in the Santo Spirito...
and enjoy its beauty and be inspired.
Everyone can visit the Santo Spirito, churches are public places.
People can come here and enjoy the amazing art.
Behind us is the Vasari Corridor...
one of the masterpieces of Florence.
It is a passageway used by the grand duke and the Medici family...
to pass through the city unnoticed.
In the time of the Medici, when Vasari was building the Coridoio...
there were a lot of butchers there.
But the grand duke and duke didn't like the smell...
that came from the butchers' offal.
They decided to change the activity and that's why there are now jewellers there.
The Vasari Corridor is currently very popular...
because it plays a role in the latest book by Dan Brown, 'Inferno'.
In which the main character escapes via the Coridoio and Palazzo Pitti...
to Palazzo Vecchio.
The Vasari Corridor belongs to the Uffizi Museum...
but has limited access.
Check online how to order tickets.
A beautiful day in Florence should end with an aperitivo...
with good food, drinks and music.
I came to Rivalta to enjoy the sunset over the Arno.
The aperitivo is like happy hour, but with food.
You have a nice drink with a buffet of pasta, sandwiches and more.
Many bars all over Florence have a different aperitivo.
It is a nice night out with friends.
You can go to Rome, Venice or Milan...
but you have to taste Florence. Ciao.