Florence blog

Dante is a fundamental classic to Italian culture, and often feel it is needed to update or reinterpret it to keep alive one of the most valuable artistic productions of all time. The actor Roberto Benigni does it every summer in Florence, when reciting whole chapters of the book from memory. Today the Gabinetto Disegni and Stampe of the Uffizi proposes an exhibition entitled “Dante Illustrado. Landscapes of the Divine Comedy. “

The exhibition features 64 photographs taken with the intention of illustrating the 1898 edition of the book, while being part of a series of exhibitions (begun in the year 2002), with the purpose of enhancing the heritage of “Gabinetto” Photo. Corrado Ricci curated the illustration of the Divine Comedy in 1898 and the most innovative feature – by that time – was precisely the fact of being made by the photographic technique.

The project of providing a visual image to such an important work for the foundation of Italy is very difficult. Giuseppe Cremoncini, guided by Corrado Ricci and his partner – the Count Giovanni Acquaderni de Bolonia, made the photographs. Cremoncini traveled throughout Tuscany looking for villages, castles, valleys and rivers that could serve to illustrate the Divine Comedy. He described these landscapes to Ricci, who gave him advice on how they should they be represented. In those days there was no way to send a picture quick, Cremonini had to describe the images through words and that is why, he found many difficulties in carrying out his work. More complicated still further was to find the places mentioned by Ricci and revealing photographs in the hotels in which he stayed. However, in 1894 Cremoncini finished its work and 34 photographs were published in 1898.

Cremoncini was born in the Florence entrepreneurial bourgeoisie, and was mainly devoted to the family business with his father. Photography was just a very expensive hobby for him, because it was a very new technique. Cremoncini died in a tragic accident in 1897 while he was lighting a gas lamp in his tent. He was 28, and his work in the illustration of Dante was the only relevant photographic experience of all his artistic life.

The exhibition “Dante Illustrado” will be open until the 26^th of February, Tuesday to Sunday from 8hs15 to 18hs50 (closing day: Monday). The entrance fee is 6.50 Euros and 3.25 for children, students and seniors (with ID). More information on the official website: http://www.uffizi.firenze.it/it/mostre/mostra.php?t=4ec5bbbff1c3bcec13000000

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So what are you waiting for? If you are in the beautiful capital of Tuscany we suggest you to come and visit this amazing exhibition, and learn about the Divine Comedy. Otherwise, you can also rent apartments in Florence and come to enjoy a weekend dedicated to culture and art in the cradle of the Renaissance.

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Gianni Schichi is the name of a Florentine that we know from the 30th cantica of Hell in Dante’s ‘Comedy’, which only later received the adjective of ‘Divine’ as a way of highlighting its many virtues. Nothing or close to nothing do we know about him except that, according to the poet, he ended up in Hell for boasting about a legendary ability to take over personalities.

In some way or another, in Florence, Dante and Schichi’s native city, it’s hard not to feel possessed by the spirit of both, made to shudder by the invincible lyrical impulse of hermetic-gnostic nature that you can breathe in every corner of the City of the Arno. That comes, paradoxically, through the cult to the more physical side of the matter and the unconscious desire to overcome the limits of the mask that we wear every day to become other rich beings in becoming, adventure and possibilities.

Perhaps due to this mercurial character embodied by Gianni Schichi, which is the perfect reminder of the essentially polyhedral character of our nature, it only comes up in important works of art, such as Dante’s poem or the small opera of Puccini that, part of a triptych whose every component serves as an allegory of the Comedy, carries its name.

Precisely, ‘Gianni Schichi’ by Puccini contains what’s probably one of the most romantic songs of all time, ‘O mio babbino caro‘, in which the character of Lauretta threatens to throw herself in the river from the Ponte Vecchio if her love is in vain. It’s not surprising that this type of song mentions this beautiful bridge, famous for its jewels, gold and crafts that are sold, and for offering a unique view of the sunsets on the Arno.

Also romantic in virtue of the legend is the Piazza de San Lorenzo, in whose market they say that Dante saw Beatrice for the first time when he was nine years old, falling in love with her at first sight forever more, an occurrence without which the history of western culture might have been considerably different and we wouldn’t now have the ‘Divine Comedy’ or ‘Gianni Schichi’.

However, there would still be beautiful and evocative places such as the Boboli Gardens (http://www.museumsinflorence.com/musei/boboli_garden.html), where it would be hard not to feel that one has been admitted into an enchanted world. An extension of the admirable Palazzo Pitti, perhaps the best example of civil renaissance architecture, it offers one of the best views of Florence among cared-for winding paths, seductive fountains, among which Neptune’s Fountain stands out, slender cypress trees, heady flowers, formidable statues and even an amphitheatre and an artificial island surrounded by a lake.

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Finally, the purists of the romantic impulse won’t be able to resist visiting the gothic church of the Santa Croce, inside of which, facing the overwhelming artistic treasures, Stendhal suffered, in 1817, the unsettling vertigo that characterizes the syndrome that carries his name and to which everyone who rents apartments in Florence are exposed to.

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Florence is known for its history. Many people know the Renaissance and the monumental amount of classics that emerged from this magnificent city including: Leonardo, Michelangelo, Donatello and Dante. But Florence also embarks on modernity, and many attractions go beyond the traditional, while offering locals and tourists, many ways to enjoy the nightlife, contemporary art and current band concerts, among others.

Florence is also a city of students from all over the world, which makes its nightlife to be diverse and vibrant. Over the current sounds, clubs and bars are changing transmissions according to the interests of their young and giddy audience. Like other cities in Italy, fashion and style are part of everyday’s life, in this emerging youth scene, which is not afraid of taking risks with the most “hipster” of the moment, and fashionable sounds Pitchfork recommended. Bars, clubs and zones “underground” are at your disposal without exploring with some curiosity and enthusiasm.

You can spend whole nights traveling from cocktail to cocktail and from bar to bar, tasting tapas and food from the most exotic and diverse type. Unlike other European cities, spontaneity is a typical resource in Florence, it is not enough to make a safe plan on how to end the night, a target can lead to another and so unexpected you embark on an intense and colorful festival. Much information is at your disposal in bars and streets, from flyers, fanzines, posters, can be guided by the secret routes and modern Florence.

One of the classic places for concerts in Florence is the Palasport, where some of the most interesting bands of the moment are presented in spectacular concerts. People like Marilyn Manson, Eric Clapton, The Cranberries, The Cure, Bob Dylan, Iron Maiden, have offered concerts at this legendary concert place.

Among the most important clubs you can visit, there is the H202, where techno music is the daily bread. In the H202, you will find a very young community of local and international students who do not lose the opportunity to leave everything on the dance floor until four in the morning. Another inevitable choice of the night in Florence is the Meccano club, with two endless dance floors, ambient lighting and fanciful cocktails, this disco guarantees house music, techno and R & B. During the summer one of its tracks are outdoors, where you have access to a night of dancing fresh and inviting. The non-stop action continues on Tenax, another temple of techno and progressive house. In addition to huge dance floor, Tenax are some of the best alternative concerts in the city.

Alexa Ray

Get apartments in Florence and enjoy its young and modern scene. The clubs, bars and nightclubs are the best in Italy: party nights and endless action guaranteed.

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Translated by: Hans
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At this point in history, Madonna is probably one of the most important figures of the last hundred years. And this is not an exaggeration. Since her beginnings in the tough and competitive city of New York, where pop was just an effervescent movement along with thousand of more radical performances in the Lower East. Madonna is not a star to appear from nowhere, on the contrary, she was everywhere. She came to New York in 1977: where Ramones, Patti Smith, Television, Blondie, Talking Heads reigned, but Madonna was a Punk Rocker Madonna, like Sheena, like Judy.

From “Everybody”, a tune that tells everyone to dance and form a band, to”Like a Virgin”, where her scandoulous and daring dances shocked the MTV ceremony before a stunned and hungry audience avid for more and more. Madonna released her first single when she was 25, a rather advanced age compared to fast food teen stars that sell in the pop market. Madonna from the beginnings wanted to take you to bed. There were no teens involved, or girl to corporation woman either. Her story was about dancing singing and rockin’ out. Madonna was Rock n Roll, the experimental band Sonic Youth, even dared to publish a tribute album with the name Ciccone Youth

It is necessary to review the  entire career of this pop goddess to know that indeed,  she knew how to do things right and her boundless ambition led her to be one of the most prestigious singers, along with a significant business knowledge, which she has managed in the manner of David Bowie who constantly transformed his image remaining in stardom nearly four generations later

If it’s homage you’re looking for, The Celebration is now one of the best “unique” Material Girl tribute bands in Italy. With a potent sound and awesome staging set up, The Celebration leaded by singer Freaky Bea and a virtuoso band with lots of attitude brings you Madonna’s greatest hits on stage,. If you love nostalgia, pop culture and vintage eighties, it’s your thing. You can learn more of thisperformances in Italy and learn more about this unique group by visiting their official website

http://www.thecelebrationshow.it/.

Alexa Ray

Nothing better than renting apartments in Florence and visit Lucca, just minutes away by train or bus and enjoy this event. If you’re a Madonna fan, this show is for you. Do not miss it!

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Translated by: Marc
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Oh Florence! One of the most beautiful cities in Europe. As you know, Florence was the medieval trading center when the Medici family were the lords, it  was also the center of the Italian Renaissance: Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, Botticelli… The art and architecture of Florence is something to fall in love with.., its narrow streets are full of curious passengers who crowd the city taking photos especially in the summer.

However, Florence is best at night, when tourists go to  sleep. Then the best that this city can offer starts. You can visit the Piazza di Santa Croce and Piazza della Signoria and enjoy the intimacy that darkness offer. Nothing sexier! Strolling across Ponte Vecchio has a super exciting atmosphere as you walk near the river.

On June 24th the Festa di San Giovanni & Calcio Storico Fiorentino, takes place, celebrating the patron saint of the city, San Juan Bautista. The festivities include beautiful fireworks that start at 22.00 hours until 23.00h. For a great viewing experience, please go to the banks of the Arno River, We guarantee an unforgettable experience. On the same day, the final futbol match with costumes is celebrated. Fiorentino Calcio Storico, which some claim to be the original source of modern football  (we mean American football or rugby football)

Although  it is not similar to American football, this competition probably dates from when soldiers  played in their camps between battles, as to maintain a strong muscular body, and as to improve or learn combat skills for young soldiers who were still being trained. Now, being all male full-contact sport, it’s a homoerotic delight  of color, sweat and strength that will zap your senses

And speaking of gay friendly speaking activities, the first gay disco in Italy was opened in Florence back in 1974. Today, the gay bars and clubs in the city are somewhat small but not impossible to find. Nevertheless, our beautiful Florence is still somewhat conservative … A club you cannot miss is the Crisco Club, promoted as as the “worst” gay bar in Florence on their own website, this place is highly recommended to leave it all behind and dance and act mega crazy. They also have a dark room where you can spend a “romantic” moment with new friends. They also organize theme parties, among others  the  ”Nude & Underwear” party  something to drool and to dance to all night long. Another good place worth visiting is club “Fabrik”,  15 km from Florence unmissable if you want a night of debauchery away from the city. Especially appealing to “Bears.” For more information on gay activities in Florence, you can visit this site

http://www.gayflorence.com/

SISTER RAY

So, nothing better than getting apartments in Florence and enjoy the festivities and beautiful places. Partying also involves walking the streets and exploring the night, because behind every night there is a story to remember, or you can write your own one

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Translated by: Marc
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