16 minute read
DISCOVER AND ENJOY
This month’s round-up of shows and events in Florence and in Tuscany.
Galileo Chini e il Simbolismo Europeo ART
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Villa Bardini • until 25 April
Donatello, il Rinascimento ART
Palazzo Strozzi-Museo Nazionale del Bargello • until 31 July Half Marathon Firenze SPORT • 10 April Florence Jewelry Week MEETING • 28 April-2 May
International Handicraft Exhibition MARKET FAIR
Fortezza da Basso • 23 April-1 May Scoppio del Carro EVENT Piazza del Duomo • 17 April
SETA FASHION
Museo Salvatore Ferragamo • until 18 April
OUT OF TOWN
GRASSINA • Easter Passion Historical Reenactment • 15 April AREZZO • Antique Fair • 3 April BUTI • Palio delle Contrade •24 April PANZANO IN CHIANTI • Aprilante • 4 April
... and more about several locations and not-to-be missed experiences in Florence such as the Mercato del Porcellino, the Secret Tours at Palazzo Vecchio, the Museo Nazionale del Bargello, the new layout of the Gallerie dell’Accademia and the Museo Galileo.
VILLA BARDINI, UNTIL 25 APRIL
THE EUROPEAN CHARM OF ART NOUVEAU
Galileo Chini e il Simbolismo Europeo
Villa Bardini Costa San Giorgio, 2 www.villabardini.it Open Tues-Sun, 10am-6pm EXHIBITION Villa Bardini welcomes visitors with an exhibition celebrating European Symbolism and Art Nouveau modernism. Focusing on the early years of the Florentine painter, illustrator and ceramist Galileo Chini (Florence 1873-1956), the exhibition brings together 200 of his paintings, drawings, illustrations and ceramics in a continuous succession of links and parallels between the artist and the international art that inspired him.
STEFANO CASATI ©
GIARDINO BARDINI
THE ENCHANTED GARDEN
SIGHTSEEING Four hectares of woodland, garden and orchard flanked by the city’s medieval walls: the Bardini Garden is not only nature, but culture, art and history and offers the most beautiful view of Florence. Located between Costa San Giorgio and Borgo San Niccolò, it preserves an unspoilt place in the city centre. The Bardini Garden integrates three gardens, different in age and style: the Italian-style garden, with its magnificent Baroque staircase; the English-style woodland which, with its exotic elements, represents a rare example of an Anglo-Chinese garden; the agricultural park with a new orchard and splendid wisteria pergola, which offers the spectacle of flowering every year between April and May.
Giardino Bardini
Costa San Giorgio, 2. www.villabardini.it Open daily, 10am-4pm
CELEBRATING DONATELLO
EXHIBITION Coming this spring to Florence, this exhibition dedicated to Donatello aims to reconstruct the extraordinary career of one of the most important and influential masters of Italian art of all time, also comparing it with masterpieces by artists such as Brunelleschi, Masaccio, Andrea Mantegna, Giovanni Bellini, Raphael and Michelangelo. The project was conceived as a celebration of Donatello in dialogue with museums, collections and institutions in Florence and throughout Italy, as well as through fundamental international collaborations, broadening the reflection on the materials, techniques and genres of his universe. >> In the following months the exhibition will move to the Skulpturensammlung und Museum für Byzantinische Kunst in Berlin (autumn 2022) and the Victoria & Albert Museum in London (spring 2023).
“Donatello, il Rinascimento”
Palazzo Strozzi-Museo Nazionale del Bargello. www.palazzostrozzi.com - www.bargellomusei.beniculturali.it
PIAZZA DEL MERCATO NUOVO
A FAMOUS MARKET EXPERIENCE
Mercato del Porcellino
Piazza del Mercado Nuovo, at the intersection of Via Porta Rossa and Via Calimala. www.mercatodelporcellino.it MARKET Enjoy a fun shopping day at the Mercato del Porcellino, a daily market that is one of the oldest markets in the world. The market is known for its Tuscan leather goods and central location, as well as its Italian silks, scarves, embroidered tapestries, and souvenirs. Make sure not to miss the market’s namesake, Il Porcellino, the bronze statue of a wild boar under the medieval arches. For good luck, make a wish at the same time you rub the statue’s nose and drop a coin from its mouth.
WIANGYA/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM ©
CITY CENTER, 10 APRIL
RACING THROUGH HISTORY
Half Marathon Firenze
Starting point: Piazza Santa Croce www.halfmarathonfirenze.it SPORT The Vivicittà Half Marathon Florence is one of the most traditional events in the city, offering an opportunity to combine sport and culture with amazing views. The path winds 21,097 km through the historic city center and reaches Oltrarno, passing iconic Florentine landmarks such as the Duomo and San Giovanni Baptistery. The event consists of competitive and non-competitive races so that everybody can participate. Get a glimpse of Florentine life by joining the crowds cheering along the race’s route.
SEVERAL LOCATIONS, 28 APRIL-2 MAY
AN EDUCATIONAL CELEBRATION OF JEWELS
Florence Jewelry Week 2022, 4th edition
Various locations across Florence www.preziosa.org MEETING Florence Jewelry Week is meant to inform and teach people about current jewelry trends and the state of the jewelry industry. This week includes seminars, lectures, debates, exhibitions, and more that focus on the redefinition of the jewelry business. Common themes among the week’s events will be contemporary jewelry in the digital period and upcycling in order to create a more sustainable jewelry industry. Learn from expert craftspeople and browse through their artisanal treasures for a one-of-a-kind souvenir from Florence.
FORTEZZA DA BASSO, 23 APRIL-1 MAY
FAMOUS ARTISAN DISPLAY
MARKET FAIR The International Handicraft Exhibition returns for its 86th edition this April. Every year, the exhibition turns the Fortezza da Basso into a display of artisanship, as more than 500 exhibitors gather to show their crafts. This year, the event will bring in international artisans and customers to discuss the diversity of the artisan community, including the combination of ancient knowledge and advanced technologies. This year’s edition will focus on quality, innovation, and sustainability with its selection of artisan furniture, clothing and accessories, tableware, and more.
International Handicraft Exhibition 2022, 86th edition
Fortezza da Basso. mostrartigianato.it
PECOLD / SHUTTERSTOCK.COM © PHOTO
PIAZZA DUOMO, 17 APRIL EASTER FIREWORKS
EVENT The “Scoppio del Carro”, also known as the “Explosion of the Cart”, is a Florentine folk tradition repeated every Easter Sunday. Dating back over 350 years, this event celebrates Easter with a unique and memorable procession. An elaborate cart that stands between two and three stories high is pulled by oxen from the Baptistry to the Duomo, accompanied by drummers, flags, and people in historical outfits. In the Duomo, the Archbishop lights a dove-shaped rocket called the “Colombina”, representing the Holy Spirit, which then follows a wire outside the cathedral and strikes the cart. This sets off a firework display in the square that is met by the crowds’ cheers. If the ritual occurs smoothly, it is considered good luck for the city, its citizens, and its harvest in the coming year.
Scoppio del Carro
Piazza del Duomo
MASSIMO SESTINI © PH
NEWS FROM THE “DAVID” MUSEUM
COLLECTION A new layout has marked the reopening of the Galleria dell’Accademia in recent weeks: from the Gipsoteca to the Sala del Colosso, from the Sale Bizantine to the Dipartimento degli Strumenti Musicali. Six hundred works have found a new location in the museum with the largest number of Michelangelo’s sculptures in the world, in particular the ones placed along a path that accompanies the visitor to Michelangelo’s “David”. Work will continue in the coming months to make the vast Florentine collection of masterpieces of painting, sculpture and musical instruments even more attractive.
Galleria dell’Accademia. Via Ricasoli, 58/60. www.galleriaaccademiafirenze.it
PALAZZO VECCHIO DISCOVERING THE SECRETS OF FLORENCE
Percorsi Segreti.
Palazzo Vecchio, Salone dei Cinquecento, Studiolo di Francesco I. musefirenze.it/attivita/ percorsi-segreti/ EXPERIENCE Guided tours of Palazzo Vecchio allow you to visit a series of particularly precious rooms, including the staircase built at the behest of Gualtieri di Brienne and carved into the thickness of the wall, the Studiolo di Francesco I de’ Medici, a refined treasure chest “of rare and precious things”, and the Scrittoio of his father Cosimo I (better known as the “Tesoretto”), and finally the imposing truss structure that supports the coffered ceiling of the Salone dei Cinquecento.
IVORY MASTERPIECES
Sala degli Avori.
Museo Nazionale del Bargello. Via del Proconsolo, 4. www.bargellomusei. beniculturali.it SCULPTURE Rethinking the exhibition itinerary, improving conservation methods and enhancing the works on display: this was the aim of the complete renovation of the Sala degli Avori in the Museo Nazionale del Bargello, which alone covers a time span of fifteen centuries, from rare Etruscan and Roman objects to 19th century artefacts. This is undoubtedly a collection that in terms of the abundance and prestige can be considered in line with some of the great European museums, such as the South Kensington Museum in London and the Musée de Cluny in Paris.
© ANTONIO VISCIDO PHOTOS
FIRENZECARD
www.firenzecard.it
“Firenzecard” costs €85 and allows access to 60 museums and is valid for 72 hours from the initial entry to a museum on the Circuit. It can be purchased online or from one of the authorised sales points in Florence. Firenzecard includes: • 1 entry ticket + 1 exhibition supplement + 1 priority ticket for each museum on the Firenzecard circuit • Priority access to museums without booking, except for the Dome, Galleria degli Uffizi and Galleria dell’Accademia, where the booking is required but free. • When purchasing the Firenzecard, you can add “Firenzecard+” to use the city’s public transport (Ataf &Line buses and tramway) and the dedicated commercial offers. Firenzecard+ is valid for 72 hours from the first validation. • Finally, with “Firenzecard Restart” you will be able to visit the museums of the circuit that you didn’t manage to see on your first visit to Florence; you will be able to add another 48 effective hours to your expired FirenzeCard.
FROM GALILEO TOWARDS THE MODERN SCIENCE
Museo Galileo
Piazza dei Giudici, 1. www.museogalileo.it SCIENCE Don’t miss a visit to the Museo Galileo, an extraordinary collection of scientific instruments collected over nearly three centuries by the Medici and Lorraine families, including the only original telescopes by Galileo Galilei in the world. This is a precious testimony to the progressive improvement of observation and measurement instruments that favoured the enormous advancement of scientific knowledge in the 16th and 17th centuries, a decisive contribution to the affirmation of modern science.
LAST DAYS
MUSEO SALVATORE FERRAGAMO, UNTIL 18 APRIL
A WUNDERKAMMER OF SILK PRINTS BY FERRAGAMO
FASHION Until 1950, the Ferragamo name was synonymous with women’s footwear. The brand’s founder, Salvatore, dreamed of transforming his internationally renowned brand into a fashion label that dressed a woman from head to toe. And his dream came true: it was one of his daughters, Fulvia, who launched in the 1970s the continuous production of women’s and men’s silk accessories with personalized patterns characterized by exclusive decorative subjects, especially flowers and exotic animals. This creative world overflows with inspirational references, from oriental art to twentieth-century paintings or ancient tomes on botany. At the Museo Salvatore Ferragamo you can explore the universe of printed fabrics, ties and scarves combined with the sources of inspiration for each motif - whether it be a book, a painting, vase or sculpture.
SETA. Museo Salvatore Ferragamo. Palazzo Spini Feroni. www.ferragamo.com
GRASSINA, 15 APRIL
FAITHFUL RETELLING OF THE PASSION OF CHRIST
Easter Passion Play Historical Reenactment
Grassina (7 km from Florence). EVENT Grassina is a small town located nearby Florence. Each year on Good Friday, more than 600 locals of Grassina gather to reenact the Passion of Christ. 500 figures in historical costumes create a procession through the city center and 100 actors perform scenes accompanied by narration and music. The event culminates in the climax of the Crucifixion on the hill. Since its exclusively religious origin in the 17th century, the event has become a theatrical production that doubles as an act of worship. Watch New Testament episodes come alive before your eyes in this 300-year-old folk tradition.
AREZZO, 3 APRIL
IMMERSIVE EXPERIENCE OF TUSCAN TREASURES
FAIR On the first Sunday of April, Arezzo holds an annual antiques market in its city center. Rare pieces, collectibles, and vintage items will be available for discovery in a charming Tuscan setting. Interact with locals and international vendors to find one-of-a-kind souvenirs and hear valuable Italian stories. Each year, this event draws thousands of visitors looking to take home a piece of Tuscan culture. Immerse yourself in history and beautiful memories with each antique piece you encounter. Take part in Italy’s largest and oldest Antiques Fair for an unforgettable experience.
Arezzo Antiques Fair
Arezzo (75 km from Florence). Piazza Grande. fieraantiquaria.org
BUTI, 24 APRIL
AN EXCITING LOOK INTO TUSCAN CULTURE
Palio delle Contrade di Buti
Buti (90 km from Florence). www.paliodibuti.eu SPORT Postponed to April from its January date, this event is a horse race between the seven contrade of the town’s seven districts. The day begins with a parade that crosses town to reach the Cathedral, where the Palio’s competing horses are blessed in the Holy Mass of Horses, followed by a traditional breakfast held in the town’s neighborhoods. The race, which begins at approximately 2pm, is divided into segments called “batterie”, during which horses can compete individually or in groups. Take part in the exciting and historical race that is one of Italy’s oldest palios.
PANZANO IN CHIANTI, 4 APRIL
A TRADITIONAL EXPERIENCE
MARKET Occurring on the first Sunday of each month, Aprilante is an open-air market celebrating the handcrafts, vintage items, and culinary products of Chianti. An idyllic hilltop town in Chianti, Panzano is located halfway between Florence and Siena, making it the ultimate base for a trip to Tuscany. Stroll through the town’s charming streets and browse more than 100 vendor tables, interacting with local artisans and producers along the way. Absorb the Tuscan lifestyle by tasting traditional regional foods and wines and admiring the historical countryside setting.
Aprilante
Panzano in Chianti (35 km from Florence). www.chianti.com/panzano-in-chianti.html
MANET eSIM: DIGITAL AND SMART
Are you looking for a reliable and fast connectivity in Florence? Today, you can easily surf the web, even if you are travelling. Discover the Manet eSIM platform, an innovative technology that is revolutionizing mobile connectivity. • WHAT - The Manet eSIM is a virtual SIM which allows you to connect to the Internet without putting a physical SIM card in your device. • WHERE - The Manet eSIM offers you affordable mobile data, even abroad, directly on your smartphone. • WHEN - You can buy online the Manet eSIM and activate it on your personal device at any time, also before the departure. • WHY - Manet eSIM is a quick, flexible and affordable solution, that can be activated at any time from any place in the world. Moreover, it’s fully digital so zero waste.
Discover more on esim.manetmobile.com/where_florence
2022 EVENTS IN ITALY
APRIL
1-3/4 | Milan | Miart. www.miart.it Mid-April | Milan | Milano Art Week. milanoartweek.comune.milano.it 10-12/4 | Milan | BIT Borsa Internazionale del Turismo. www.bit.fieramilano.it 10-13/4 | Verona | Vinitaly. www.vinitaly.com 23/4-27/11 | Venice | Biennale Arte 2022 (59th edition). www.labiennale.org 27/4-1/5 | Milan | MIA Fair (105th edition). www.miafair.it
MAY
2-15/5 | Rome | Tennis. Internazionali BNL d’Italia. www.internazionalibnlditalia.com 6-29/5 | Several locations in Italy | Giro d’Italia (105th edition). www.giroditalia.it 20/5-20/11 | Milan | 23rd Triennale Milano 12-14/5 | Turin | Eurovision Song Contest. www.eurovision.tv 28/5-5/6 | Venice | Salone Nautico Venezia. www.salonenautico.venezia.it 29/5 | Mugello (Tuscany) | Moto GP. Gran Premio d’Italia. www.motogp.com
JUNE
7-12/6 | Milan | Salone del Mobile. Milano. www.salonemilano.it 15-18/6 | Brescia-Rome-Brescia | Mille Miglia 2022. www.1000miglia.it 16-19/6 | Milan and Monza | Milano Monza Motor Show 2022. www.milanomonza.com 17-21/6 | Milan | Milano Moda Uomo. www.milanomodauomo.it 17/6-4/9| Verona | Arena di Verona 99th Opera Festival. www.arena.it 24/6– 10/7 | Spoleto (Umbria) | Spoleto Festival dei Due Mondi (65th edition). festivaldispoleto.com
JULY
3/7 | Siena | Palio. www.ilpalio.org 8-17/7 | Perugia | Umbria Jazz. www.umbriajazz.it 16/7 | Venice | Festa del Redentore. venice.whereitalia.com
2022 EVENTS IN ITALY
AUGUST
16/8 | Siena | Palio dell’Assunta. www.ilpalio.org 31/8-10/9 | Venice | International Exhibition of Cinematographic Art. www.labiennale.org
SEPTEMBER
10-18/9 | Milan | The Italian Glass Weeks. www.theveniceglassweek.com 11/9 | Monza (Milan) | Formula 1. Italian Grand Prix. www.formula1.com 15-17/9 | Verona | World Tourism Event. www.wtevent.it 16-19/9 | Terni | Umbria Jazz. www.umbriajazz.it 17-25/9 | Venice | The Italian Glass Weeks. www.theveniceglassweek.com 20-26/9 | Milan | Milano Moda Donna. www.cameramoda.it 22-27/9 | Genoa | International Boat Show. www.salonenautico.com
OCTOBER
8/10– 6/12 | Alba (Piedmont) | International Alba White Truffle Fair. www.fieradeltartufo.org 9/10 | Trieste | Barcolana. www.barcolana.it
NOVEMBER
3-6/11 | Verona | Fieracavalli (124th edition). www.fieracavalli.it 8-13/11 | Milan | EICMA International Motorcycle and Accessories Exhibition. www.eicma.it Mid-November | Milan | BookCity Milano. bookcitymilano.it and Music Week. www.milanomusicweek.it 21/11 | Venice | Festa della Salute. www.whereitalia.com/venice End of November | Venice | Teatro La Fenice. Opening of Opera and Ballet season. www.teatrolafenice.it
DECEMBER
7/12 | Milan | Teatro alla Scala – Opening of the Opera Season. www.teatroallascala.org
[ WELCOME TO ITALIA ] Dream experiences
To discover the beauties of the city or to try out special experiences, Welcome to Italia offers you some unmissable opportunities. Choose whether to take part in exclusive city tours or book the experience you’ve been dreaming: www.welcometoitalia.com
ALL ABOUT FLORENCE!
You will have the opportunity to enjoy a guided tour of the Accademia Gallery and the Uffizi and to walk around the city center.
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TOP MUSEUM TOUR
Visit the two most important museums in Florence which host some of the greatest art pieces of the Italian history. The guided tours include the skip the line tickets.
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[ WELCOME TO ITALIA ] Dream experiences
FLORENCE BY NIGHT PRIVATE EXPERIENCE
Explore the city center with a private tour: you can enjoy a pleasant walk with an expert guide.
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EXCLUSIVE TOUR AT THE ACCADEMIA
Don’t miss an original tour discovering the stories of the “David” by Michelangelo.
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DUOMO SMART PRIVATE TOUR
Enter the fascinating church of Santa Maria del Fiore with skip the line access. One hour tour with a private guide.
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[ WELCOME TO ITALIA ] Dream experiences
THE SPECIAL ONES
MARKET TOUR AND TUSCAN COOKING EXPERIENCE
Let’s visit the Sant’Ambrogio Market with a chefguide and buy all the necessary for a cooking class. Enjoy your meal with a wine tasting.
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SPECIAL HUNT FOR FAMILIES AND CHILDREN
Learn about Florence’s past in a fun and entertaining way in an intriguing quiz and animal art hunt. Two itineraries are available: Medieval and Renaissance.
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