Florence is the capital city of both the Florence Province and the region of Tuscany. It is situated 50 metres above sea level and stands on both banks of the river Arno. To the north and north-east the city stretches along the foothills of the Careggi, Fiesole and Settignano hills, to the south along the Arcetri and Bellosguardo Hills.
Florence dates back to the Pre-.Roman age, has a regular urban layout and spans the river with numerous, architecturally splendid bridges. The artistic and cultural heritage of Florence is among the greatest in the world. Its academies, libraries and museums are renowned .Its religious monuments, churches, civil architecture and buildings are exceptional. All the tourist attractions are grouped together in four zones, all of which can be easily visited on foot. - the first zone, which is the geographical and historical fulcrum of Florence, lies to the centre-east of the city and is the area around the city's Duomo and Santa Croce; - the second is the northern zone with San Lorenzo and San Marco; - the third is the western part of the city, from the Santa Maria Novella train station to the west to the Piazza della Repubblica, Ponte Vecchio, Mercato Nuovo; - the fourth is the district of Oltrarno (beyond the river Arno) with the Pitti Place, Santo Spirito, the Boboli Gardens and the Santa Maria del Carmine Church.
The eastern zone of the city maintains its Medieval atmosphere, with its hive of narrow streets and ancient alleyways. The Santa Maria del Fiore or Duomo, with its baptistery designed by Ghiberti and its bell-tower designed by Giotto, dominates this area. The Orsanmichele, one of the finest examples of 13th century architecture in the city, is located in Via Calzaiuoli. The Bargello Gallery is situated in via del Proconsolo. The gallery houses a collection of Florentine Renaissance sculptures, with works from Michelangelo, Donatello and Cellini. The magnificent Gothic Santa Croce Basilica,in the Santa Croce Piazza, is a collection of monastic buildings grouped around cloisters, forming what is today a museum of paintings and religious sculptures. The basilica houses tombs and cenotaphs by Galileo and Michelangelo, the crucifixions by Donatello and Cimabue, the Pazzi Chapel by Brunelleschi and the Bardi Chapel, with Giotto frescoes. The Piazza della Signoria was both the centre of political power and city life until the era of the city council.This large and sunny square is dominated by the imposing Palazzo Vecchio, which forms the back drop to the Signoria open arched gallery, one of the most important Medieval buildings in Italy.
The Medici zone winds it way along via de Martelli, one of the city's main streets, which starts at the passage between the Duomo and the Baptistery. The zone is the site of the San Lorenzo Basilica, which houses the mortal remains of some of the most illustrious Medici family members. The Palazzo Medici Ricccardi, the family's main residence, is situated a short distance away. The roads situated around Piazza San Lorenzo, are bustling with a large and colourful market, which includes the central market, a two-storey building selling fresh food. The zone, which at the time of the Medici, housed the Granduke's stables, is now the San Marco district, with its Convent. This district has a young feel, owing to the large presence of students from the University, Conservatory and the Academy of Fine Arts. The block of buildings that begin on the corner of via Ricasoli, is the site of the Academy's Gallery, the Gem Factory and the Archaeology Museum.
The city is bordered in the west by the railway station and Ponte Vecchio. The bridge houses numerous antique and modern jewellery shops. The Piazza della Repubblica, one of the liveliest zones of Florence, is situated a short distance away. This zone is renown for its cafés and shopping area which includes via Vigna Nuova and via de Tornabuoni, both highly elegant, lined with refined shops and important buildings from the 15th to the 18th century. The Palazzo Strozzi is an example of the zone's fine buildings, built in Florentine Renaissance style, it is the seat of numerous cultural institutions, including Gabinetto G.P. Visseux.
Oltrarno, is a quiet zone of low buildings, antique shops and workshops. The area is dominated by the Palazzo Pitti and the intricately shaped hedges of the Boboli Gardens. The zone is the site of Via Maggio and the Piazza di Santo Spirito, both lined by aristocratic buildings. The church of Santa Maria del Carmine, situated in the Piazza del Carmine, is famous for its frescoes in the Bancacci Chapel, painted by Masolino and Masaccio.