Christmas market in Florence

Photo La Nazione

Every year Florence has his own little Christmas market. You can buy mostly German specialties and nice little christmas accessories. The market is held on one of the most beautiful squares of Florence; Piazza Santa Croce. You can eat your crautie and  wurstel untill the 18th of december every day from 10am to 8pm!

Happy Friday and a lovely weekend !

The Boboli garden

Palazzo Pitti
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The 'Giardino dei Boboli' is located behind the 'Palazzo Pitti' and it is said to be the most beautiful garden of Tuscany.  I love to come here for a stoll together with my kids , being  fortunate residents of Florence we have free entrance to this beautiful garden (not indicated for strollers as there are some steep paths).

Amfitheater
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Do not miss the Boboli garden if you're in Florence. This wonderful and hilly oasis of peace is filled with statues, and designed in the typical Italian style. You can enjoy quiet walks on a cool summer days, but for me the autumn is the most perfect season to visit this city garden/park.

Neptunes fountain
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The colors, the smell, the stillness .. absolutely fantastic. And to think that all the traffic is buzzing beneath you but here in the park, you will not hear a thing. Why not relax a bit on a bench near the Neptune Fountain, or climbing the beautiful spiral staircase up to the Rose Garden and the Porcelain Museum, here you find yourself on the highest point of the garden with a magnificent view of the hills that surround Florence.

View from Rose garden
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Walk down the beautiful cypress avenue (Vialone), where you will find the mysterious Isolotto pond. If you are lucky you can see the large collection of citrus plants in large terracotta pots in the middle of the pond on the little island (in the winter they stay in the 'limonaia').

Isolotto
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From the Boboli garden you can also visit 'La Specola' historic Zoological Museum (the oldest museum of science in Europe). You can also visit the beautiful garden of Villa Bardini, Giardino Bardini. On the left side of the Forte Belvedere (close to the Kaffeehaus) you can take Costa San Giorgio (take a left), half way down you can find the entrance to the garden and the villa Bardini.

One of the paths in the park
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The Vasari Corridor

The Corridoio Vasariano, or Vasari corridor, is part of the Uffizi museum. This "secret passage" starts at the Palazzo Vecchio (Town Hall) and crosses the Uffizi Museum, runs over the Ponte Vecchio and the rooftops of the city and ends up in the Boboli Garden (Pitti Palace).

The Corridor that comes out of the Uffizi en runs over the Ponte Vecchio
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A 'Must Do' visit
The Vasari Corridor is part of the 'hidden treasures of Florence' and is open to the public a few months a year.  You can only visit this 'secret hallway' by booking quit some time ahead, but it is absolutely worth your while. If you are a real 'treasure' hunter, this is 'The One' you can not miss!

Uffizi Museum
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My visit to the Vasari Corridor
Last week I visited the Vasari Corridor for the second time. It was a grey and rainy day, the perfect weather conditions to discover this mysterious hallway. At 9.00 am the doors to the Corridoio Vasariano (right next to exhibition room n ° 25) opened and we (together with 15/20 people) finally can start our tour.

Corridoio Vasariano
Photocredit

The story about the Corridor ...
The corridor was commissioned by Cosimo de 'Medici I and built by Vasari in only five months. The Vasari Corridor goes from the Palazzo Vecchio (where the family de'Medici practiced their politics' ) through the Uffizi Gallery (where the administrative offices were) to Palazzo Pitti (where the family de'Medici lived) . The guide explains us (only in Italian) that the Vasarian Corridor was built to avoid life-threatening situations for the de'Medici family. The corridor also acted as an escape route in case of a revolution.

View from the Corridoio Vasariano
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The painting and the bombing ...
Before we walk into the Vasari Corridor, the guide tells us something about the big damaged painting of made by artist Gerrit van Honthorst. This painting, 'L'adorazione dei Pastori', hung opposite a window under which the 1993 Mafia bomb was placed. The glass and the heat damaged the painting so,  that little could be saved. Ten years later, the 'L'adorazione dei Pastori ' was restored for about 50% and is now  "used "as a symbol of that terrible bomb attack in which five people were killed.

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0.62 miles (1 km)  long ...
The Vasari corridor is nearly 0.62 miles (1 km)  long and very narrow (about 3.5 meters wide), you really have to watch out to not accidentally walk against the paintings while you walk and listen to the tourguide. It is an immense feeling that you can come so close to the paintings. On the right side of this part of the Vasari Corridor are hanging the Tuscan painters and on the left site the Italian painters. Most paintings come from the 16th and 17th century.

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The self portrait collection ...
The highlight of your visit to the Corridoio Vasariano will be without doubt the the self portrait collection. Cardinal Leopoldo de 'Medici started this collection for the de'Medici family and gathered the self potraits of well-known artists. At the beginning, the portraits were paid in nature for example with crates of fresh sausage, honey, wine and other delicacies. Gradually the collection of Leopoldo de 'Medici became more and more famous. If you were an artist who counted, then Cardinal Leopold de 'Medici had your portrait! The collection includes a portrait of Rembrandt and a potrait of Chagall.

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The Ponte Vecchio and the view ...
Once arrived on the Ponte Vecchio, you have a great view from the large windows. These windows were made on occasion of the visit of Hitler, guest of  Mussolini. The story goes that Hitler was so impressed by the bridge and the view, that he saved the Ponte Vecchio during World War II.

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The tower and the church ...

A little further down the hall, the Corridoio Vasariano makes a strange turn. And goes around the medieval Manelli tower. The owner of the tower didn't want to sell his home, so Vasari just built the Corridor around it. Another nice 'pit stop' is the big opening from which you can see the Chiesa di Santa Felicità. Here the de'Medici family attended Mass every sunday. This church is also one of the most ancient churches of Florence. In this church you can see a few of the most important Renaissance works of art, such as 'Deposizione' by Pontorno (oil on wood, 1525-1528).

Palazzo Pitti
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Hashtag album on Instagram: #discoverflorence

Wondering and gazing at the most beautiful portraits and before we know it, the Vasari Corridor ends and we're standing in the Boboli Garden..... it's still raining and the sun i is nowhere to be seen, time for a warm cappuccino...

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Opening days Vasari Corridor :

5th of october untill the 16th of december 2011

Openinghours: 

(The tour is about 1 1/2 and is only given in Italian language)

Wed and fri at 2.00pm  and 4.30pm

thu at 9.00am en 11.30am

Tickets: 

€ 15

Reservations: 

Tel: 0039 (0)55-294883 (Firenze Musei)

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Note 1°: Every day a nice photo of Florence ? Follow 'ontdekflorence' on Instagram 

or 

checkout hashtag album: #discoverflorence on Inkstagram

Note 2°: You can't take pictures of the paintings and sculptures in the Vasari Corridor

Museo Stefano Bardini, a true inspiration

The Museo Stefano Bardini (1836-1922) was founded by one of the most important Italian antique dealers, Stefano Bardini. Bardini decides  to accommodate all his collections from the Middle Ages and the Renaissance in a beautiful Palazzo near the Arno, former church and convent of San Gregorio della Pace. Later, he donated his entire collection to the city of Florence. "His" museum is now part of the 'Musei Civici Fiorentini '(municipal museums of Florence).

The special thing about the Museo Stefano Bardini  is that you really get the feeling that you are visiting an interior decorater instead of a museum. The golden empty frames against a cobalt blue wall. Original stone pieces like staires and statues which have been incorporated into the Palazzo in the most perfect way. The beautiful little statues on an antique dresser. It is definitely not the dusty and old museum that you would expect it to be, but a true inspiration for every visitor.

Would you like to visit this museum? Then here's some useful information:

* Where *

Via dei Renai 37 (Oltrarno zone / Ponte alle Grazie)

Bus n°12, 23, C & D

* When *

mon&fri-sun 11.00am - 5.00pm

* How much *

€ 5 (€ 4 of € 2 with discount)
* Contact *

Telephone: +39 (0)55 2342427

Musei Civici Fiorentini

Note 1: This museum is part of the initiative : Pass dei Tesori

Note 2: This museum is also very suitable for childeren. Every sunday they do family (childeren from 7 years old) workshops in the morning and in the afternoon (11.00am - 12.30am & 3.00pm - 4.30pm)

 Note 3: Photo credits

Museo Stibbert; an unexpected museum

The Museo Stibbert is an unexpected and lesser-known museum situated just outside the city center of Florence (Zone Fortezza da Basso). A triumph of gold and treasures, shields, knight equipment and paintings, it looks like a fairytale. This is the temple, the empire, of the art collector Frederick Stibbert (1836-1906).

Stibbert benefited from his diverse nature as an international financial consultant, world traveler and passionate art collector to control the antique trade in Europe for 50 years and to realize his ambitious project;  Making Villa di Montughi his 'own museum'.

Let the great passion of Stibbert for the history of costumes and accoutrements of war from the Far East and Japan, carry you through his unique museum. Visit the Stibbert Park with its beautiful Limonaia (building where the citrus trees were placed in winter), stable and the small Egyptian temple next to the pond, personally made by Stibbert. Do you want a break from the bustle of the city and do you want something out of the straordinari? Then this musem is just the place for you!

Would you like to visit this museum? Then here's some useful information:

* Where *

Via Stibbert 26 (Fortezza da Basso area)

Bus n ° 4

* When*

Mon-wed 10am - 2pm
Fri-sun 10am - 6pm
Closed on thursday

* How Much *

€ 10 (€ 8 with discount)
with Pass dei Tesori;
Click here for more info

* Contact *

Phone: +39 (0) 55 475520

info@museostibbert.it

www.museostibbert.it

Photos: Google

Museo Horne, an Englishman in Florence

In 1911, English architect and art historian Herbert Percy Horne, buys the Palazzo Corsi in Via de 'Benci.  Horne brings his large collection of paintings, sculptures, drawings and furniture to this beautiful Palazzo with the intent of recreating a Renaissance home. In 1926 Horne dies and leaves his collection (which now counts more than 6000 pieces) to the Italian state.

Today, the Museo Horne is still decorated as the architect and art historian wanted it: a refined exhibition of paintings and sculptures (from Giotto and Masaccio to Giambologna), but most of all he wanted a home decorated with the finest furnishings and artworks from 12th untill the 16th century.

The Horne Museum is a wonderful place for those who want to know more about the Florentine past. Discover in every room the use, the habits and the Florentine art, it's like going back in time, back to the golden days of the renaissance. A visit to this lesser-known but no less beautiful museum, makes your stay in Florence a whole lot more interesting that's for sure!

Would you like to visit this museum? Then here's some useful information:

* Where *

Via de' Benci 6 (Santa Croce area)

Bus n ° 23, C1, C3

* When*

October 1st - April 15th : Mon, Tue, Thu 9.00am - 1.00am

Fri-Sun 10.00am - 5.00pm

(Closed on Wednesday)

April 16th - Sept 30th : Mon - Sat 9.00am - 1.00am

(Closed on Sunday)

* How Much *

€ 6 (€ 4 with discount)

* Contact *

Phone: +39 (0) 55 244 661

info@museohorne.it

www.museohorne.it

Photos: Museo Horne Florence

The Rose Garden, an oasis of peace in the city

View from Rose Garden
Photo By: R v/d Wielen for Discover Florence

Florence has several gardens and parks, a few are well known others less. The Rose Garden (Giardino delle Rose) is one of the last category. Untill this year the Rose Garden was only open during the months of May and June, but fortunately that's changed. Since spring (2011) of this year, you can admire the Rose Garden all year long from early in the morning until sunset.

Photo By: R v/d Wielen for Discover Florence

A brief history of the 'Giardino delle Rose "
In 1865, the "Giardino delle Rose" (the rose garden) was built by Giuseppe Poggi (Piazzale Michelangelo's Architect). The garden consists of 2,5 acres and is situated on the hill of San Miniato, just below Piazzale Michelangelo. From the Rose Garden you have a beautiful view of the city and the old city walls.

One of the statues of Belgian artist Folon
Photo By: R v/d Wielen for Discover Florence

The Japanese garden and Folon
The Rose Garden was restored last year and enriched by 12 permanent pieces of art (mostly statues) from the Belgian artist Folon  There is also a small part of the garden dedicated to a Japanese garden (The Shorai garden), donated together with the Zen Temple "Kodai-Ji" to Florence in 1998 by the Japanese city of Kyoto.

A part of the Japanese Garden donated by the city of Kyoto
Photo By: R v/d Wielen for Discover Florence

An oasis of calm also for children
In this oasis of calm and nature you can enjoy walking along the paths of the garden or rest on one of the wooden benches. You can also just lay down on the grass and enjoy the view. The Rose Garden is also suitable for children. You can also visti the garden with a stroller, almost all paths are paved. Keep in mind that the garden is built on terraces so there are some stairs.

In the back another statue of Belgian artist Folon
Photo By: R v/d Wielen for Discover Florence

There are several entrances to the Rose Garden;
1. If you come from San Niccolò ("below" the Piazzale Michelangelo)
you can enter a small gate at the intersection of Via del Monte All Croci and Via di San Salvatore
al Monte (stairs)
2. The main entrance of the garden is halfway down/up the stairs (Via di San Salvatore al
Monte) on the left side of the Piazzale Michelangelo (just before the ice cream parlor).

A statue of Belgian artist Folon with in the back the Villa of the Rose Garden
Photo By: R v/d Wielen for Discover Florence

Opening Hours:
- The garden is open all year round from 8:00am to sunset!
- The best months to visit the garden are May and June, when there are over a 1,000 different roses in bloom (including 350 ancient species).

Photo By: R v/d Wielen for Discover Florence

Gucci Café, Gift shop and museum in Florence

From as tomorrow you can visit the brand new Gucci museum, on Piazza della Signoria, here is what they offer you for the € 6 entrance fee (half of the fee goes to the city of Florence, for the restauration of old 'palazzi')

Gucci Bamboo Bags photo La Nazione (Photopress)

What can I do, see & shop ?
An icon store, bookshop, caffè and gift shop complement the exhibition spaces to create a destination location for visitors. The GUCCI MUSEO is divided into different thematic rooms inspired by the House’s iconic motifs and symbols. 

Gucci Library and caffé photo: La Nazione (photopress)

Gucci Caffè & Gift shop
The ground floor hosts the Gucci Caffè, a meeting space that not only welcomes visitors into the museum, but also provides a new and attractive gathering place for Florentines and visitors to the city alike.

In the same space, a gift shop will offer the chance to purchase exclusive collectible items including iPhone and iPad cases, scented candles, bookmarks, totes, postcards, luxury stationery and chocolates all with the GUCCI MUSEO trademark.

Gucci Foulards in the new Gucci museum photo: la nazione (photopress)

Text by: Gucci.com
Photo's by: La Nazione (pressphoto)

The local Farmers' market of Florence

What is nicer and more yummier than taking home some Italian food? Some nice goodies for yourself to remind you of your trip to Florence, maybe you even want to prepare a real Italian dinner for your friends ! And don't forget your family, they love Italian food !

Every first saturday of the month (openinghours: 9.00 am - 7.00 pm) the local farmers' market is held in the centre of Florence on Piazza della Repubblica. 44 local farmers (of wich 21  are biofarmers) are communicating and presenting their own unique products.

Directly from the farm: Wine, Olive oil, truffels but also meat, pasta, vegetables and fruit and lots, lots more of wonderful things the Tuscan sun has been offering since decades! You can find the best of the best on the 'Mercatale' on Piazza della Repubblica in Florence, again every first saturday of the month.

Brand new Gucci museum in Florence

On the 26th of september the brand new Gucci museum will be opening it's doors to the public. The museum is located in the 'Palazzo della Mercatanzia' wich lays on the ever famous and central square 'Piazza della Signoria'. The new Gucci museum will not only show accessories and clothing but also photo's , images and some of the special creations the Italian fashion house made, like the Gucci Cruiser Bicycle.

90 years of Guccio Gucci
Gucci will celebrate his first 90 years in Florence, where the brand was created byGuccio Gucci  in 1921. Will Madonna and Jennifer Lopez be part of the big opening event on the 26th of september? We will probably not know untill the very last moment. But what we do know is,  that after the opening ceremony, there will be a very exclusive dinner party in the beautiful 'Sala dei 500' at the Palazzo Vecchio (Palazzo della Signoria), the townhall of Florence.

The Gucci Museum
The museum will occupy 3 floors and cover around 1.700 square meters. A big part of the museum is dedicated to the world of horse sports, a big inspiration to Guccio Gucci - think about the horse bits that show on almost any Gucci bag - . Besides the items related to the world of horse sports, you can see clothes that where especially designed for the rich and famous,  a lot of beautiful photo's and  enjoy the extremely rich archive of vintage items that has never before been accessible to public viewing!