Florence
Florence (Firenze) Capital of Tuscany and Firenze province, on the River Arno, Italy. Initially an Etruscan town, it was a Roman colony from the 1st century bc to 5th century ad. In the 12th century, it became an independent commune and major trading centre. The site of many factional power struggles, especially the 13th-century war between the Guelphs and Ghibellines, it nevertheless became the cultural and intellectual centre of Italy. Florence's period of dominance coincided with the rule of the Medici family. It became a city-state and a leading centre of the Renaissance. Artists who contributed to the flourishing city included Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael, and Donatello. In 1569 Florence became the capital of the Grand Duchy of Tuscany. Opera developed here in the late 16th century. From 1865 to 1871, it was the capital of the kingdom of Italy. Its many notable churches include: the Duomo gothic cathedral (1296); San Lorenzo, Florence's first cathedral rebuilt in 1425 by Brunelleschi, including a New Sacristy built by Michelangelo; and the monastery San Marco which holds masterpieces by Fra Angelico. Major art collections include the Uffizi and the Bargello Palace. Industries: tourism, craft, fashion. Pop. (2000) 374,501.
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Florence