Florence is a city in central Italy that played a significant role in the history of the Renaissance, a period of great cultural and artistic achievement in Europe. During the 14th and 15th centuries, Florence was a wealthy and influential city-state ruled by powerful families such as the Medici. It was a center for art, literature, and scholarship, and many of the era's greatest artists, including Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, and Raphael, worked there. Florence was also a center for banking and trade, and its merchants and bankers were important patrons of the arts. Today, Florence is a popular tourist destination, known for its beautiful architecture, art museums, and historical landmarks such as the Duomo, the Uffizi Gallery, and the Ponte Vecchio.
Photography: Walter Somers
