January 18, 2006

Firenze, Tuscani - The Leather Town


Florence, Toscana: 5hrs train ride from Milano, Lombardio (Milan, Lombard). Jewelry Strip and an evening discovery-walk around town. Discovered their Foundation and Barbarian AGE, The Middle AGE, The Renaissance and the modern history.
Florence modern history: In 1737 Florence became the capital of the Absburgo Lorena family reign also comprehending the rest of Tuscany. When Tuscany was joined to the Sardegna Reign in 1860 the Absburgo-Lorena were driven out. During the following years Italy became an unique State and Florence was the capital from 1865-1871. The remaining history of the city follows the modern Italian history, through the two world wars arriving to nowadays. Florence was not directly interested in the first world war but during the second war German soldiers destroyed a great part of the city while running back in retreat to German. All the bridges were destroyed by careless German bombs, exploding over centuries of art and history. In 1944 democratic Florentine partisans revolted against the German and fascist conquerors, fighting for many days. At the end Florence conquered freedom as the rest of Italy .(with the American and English military support).
Settled in at the Hotel Regina, Euro 40/night, one-star. Not-bad. I love the smell of leather in this town.