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of the nearby convent and includes the famous Pazzi Chapel*, a fine work by Filippo Brunelleschi. From the cloister you can reach the refectory with Cimabue’s celebrated Crucifix* and Donatello’s St Ludovic*. A richly decorated portal gives access to the elegant second cloister, presumed to be the work of Bernardo Rossellino. Situated in Via Magliabechi is the Central National Library (E6), the most important in Italy. In Via de’ Benci is the Horne Foundation Museum (E5), a significant collection of paintings, sculptures, majolicas, glass and coins from the 14C-16C. Across the Ponte delle Grazie, rebuilt in 1957, is the Bardini Museum* (F5) with a fine selection of paintings, furniture and ceramics donated to the municipality in 1922 by the collector Stefano Bardini.
The hill and the outlying wards. No visit to Florence can be considered complete without a tour of the verdant hill, the wards outside the ring of avenues and, naturally, the environs. Viale dei Colli is the loveliest walk in town. The continuation of the left bank of the Arno leads to Piazzale Michelangelo* from where there is a magnificent view of Florence. From here, going up a stairway, you reach the Church of San Salvatore al Monte (1499). At the top of the hill is San Miniato al Monte*, a marvel of Romanesque architecture built between 1018 and 1207. The interior, with a splendid marble floor*, houses works by Michelozzo, Agnolo Gaddi, Taddeo Gaddi, Luca della Robbia, Antonio Rossellino and Alessio Baldovinetti. To the right of the church is the Trecento Palazzo dei Vescovi. Along Via San Leonardo, just before the San Giorgio Gate, stands the Belvedere Fort* (1590-95) which connects up with the city walls. It served as a stronghold and a suburban residence. Linked to Palazzo Vecchio through Boboli, Palazzo Pitti and the Vasari Corridor, it is overlooked by the elegant Palazzina di Belvedere, used for temporary exhibitions. The last stretch of the Viale dei Colli is Viale Machiavelli, which ends at Porta Romana, a massive tower with its original wooden doors. On the right bank of the Arno, west of the city, is the expanse of the Cascine Park*. This verdant area is a delightful breathing space for Florence and a favourite outing for the Florentines. In the northern wards is the Stibbert Museum*, one of the most important collections of ancient arms not only in Italy but in the whole world, and also an extraordinary range of applied arts from every age and country. Next to the Church of
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San Michele a Salvi is the Museum of the Andrea del Sarto Cenacolo. This Last Supper frescoed by the artist in 1526-27 is a masterpiece of 16C painting. The Museum of the Israeli Temple contains ancient manuscripts, parchments and objects connected with Judaism. In the surroundings of Fièsole (q.v.), other places of interest are Sieci, with the old Parish Church of San Giovanni Battista a Rèmole, and Castello with the Medicean Villa* which houses the Accademia della Crusca. Nearby are the Medicean Villa of Petraia*, surrounded by a beautiful garden, and Villa Corsini which houses the collections of sculpture and ancient epigraphy from the National Archaeological Museum. In Pratolino there is the huge garden of the 16C Villa Demidoff with the daunting Apennine Fountain by Giambologna. Finally, on a hill clad with cypresses and olives is the Galluzzo Carthusian Monastery*, preceded by a Gothic Palace of Studies, with an Art Gallery. Founded in 1342 by Niccolò Acciaioli, it includes the Church of San Lorenzo, the Monastery, the small Monks’ Cloister, the Great Cloister with 66 terracotta busts by Della Robbia, the Refectory and the Quattrocento small Cloister of the Lay Brothers.
FIVIZZANO
(Massa-Carrara) This commercial centre in Lunigiana (q.v.) is encircled by 16C walls built by the Florentines. The eye-catching Piazza Medicea, with a great Seicento fountain, is overlooked by Renaissance palaces and the Church of Saints Jacopo and Antonio. Construction on the latter was begun in 1377 and it was then enlarged in the 16C. Nearby is the impressive Verrùcola Castle, remodelled in the 14C. Heading towards Càsola Lunigiana, which has the Museum of the Alta Valle Aulella Territory, you come across the ProtoRomanesque Parish Church of Codiponte, containing Lombard-Carolingian sculptures. Also worth a visit is the Equi Terme spa and the caves of Equi.
FOIANO DELLA CHIANA
(Arezzo) Perched on a hilltop, the village overlooks Chiana and the Esse Torrent. Of great interest are the Collegiate Chapter of San Martino (1512-1796) and the Church of San Michele Arcangelo, known as San Domenico; the Church of Santa Maria della Fraternita (late 16C) with the Civic Museum. On the outskirts of the village, in the Church of San Francesco, is a great altarpiece by Andrea della Robbia. Across the Chiana you
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