An half or full day trip from Florence to Fiesole is a must for any visitor. Aside from the sights of interest within and near Fiesole itself, the view over Florence is spectacularly beautiful. Fiesole can be reached by car or public bus in about 20 minutes, and also (for the fit only) on foot along narrow walled roads past numerous fine villas, including the Villa Medici at Fiesole.
Fiesole is of Etruscan origin and was probably founded in the 9 C BC. One possible reason for the prosperity of Etruscan and Roman Fiesole could be its strategic location over the Arno river valley close to where Roman Florence (Florentia) would later rise. Fiesole's location also made it strategic for travellers on all the main roads between southern and central Etruria to the south (covering large parts of present day Tuscany, Umbria and Latium) and the Etruscans in the area around the Po valley to the north.
If you love the world of archeology, we suggest to enrich your experience with the extension to the the National Archaeological Museum in Florence which exposes both the collections of Etruscan art, Greek and Roman, that the extraordinary Egyptian collection. Alternatively, I propose a ride out of Fiesole for wine tasting and products of local cuisine, in the wonderful fiesolana country side or in the areas of production of Florentine Chianti.
Things to see in Fiesole:
• Roman theatre.
• the Cathedral of Fiesole (Il Duomo), containing the shrine of St. Romulus, martyr, according to legend the first Bishop of Fiesole, and that of his martyred companions, also the shrine of St. Donatus of Ireland
• the Badia or ancient cathedral at the foot of the hill on which Fiesole stands, supposed to cover the site of the martyrdom of St. Romulus
• the monastery of S. Francesco on the crest of the hill, with the cells of St. Bernardine of Siena and seven Franciscans
• S. Domenico, the novice-home of Fra Angelico da Fiesole and of St. Antoninus of Florence.
• A few miles distant is Monte Senario, the cradle of the Servite Order, where its seven holy founders lived in great austerity and were cheered at their death by the songs of angels - or so some believe.
• Villa Medici
Fiesole is of Etruscan origin and was probably founded in the 9 C BC. One possible reason for the prosperity of Etruscan and Roman Fiesole could be its strategic location over the Arno river valley close to where Roman Florence (Florentia) would later rise. Fiesole's location also made it strategic for travellers on all the main roads between southern and central Etruria to the south (covering large parts of present day Tuscany, Umbria and Latium) and the Etruscans in the area around the Po valley to the north.
If you love the world of archeology, we suggest to enrich your experience with the extension to the the National Archaeological Museum in Florence which exposes both the collections of Etruscan art, Greek and Roman, that the extraordinary Egyptian collection. Alternatively, I propose a ride out of Fiesole for wine tasting and products of local cuisine, in the wonderful fiesolana country side or in the areas of production of Florentine Chianti.
Things to see in Fiesole:
• Roman theatre.
• the Cathedral of Fiesole (Il Duomo), containing the shrine of St. Romulus, martyr, according to legend the first Bishop of Fiesole, and that of his martyred companions, also the shrine of St. Donatus of Ireland
• the Badia or ancient cathedral at the foot of the hill on which Fiesole stands, supposed to cover the site of the martyrdom of St. Romulus
• the monastery of S. Francesco on the crest of the hill, with the cells of St. Bernardine of Siena and seven Franciscans
• S. Domenico, the novice-home of Fra Angelico da Fiesole and of St. Antoninus of Florence.
• A few miles distant is Monte Senario, the cradle of the Servite Order, where its seven holy founders lived in great austerity and were cheered at their death by the songs of angels - or so some believe.
• Villa Medici
