Il Duomo, Santa Maria del Fiore

Mellowing in Italy - Florence, Wednesday 2007 May 23

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May 23rd 2007
Today we started with a most interesting walking tour through some of the less-famous history of Florence. The first site was the oldest tower house in Florence (XI century), a short distance from our hotel, also a very old tower house. Our local guide explained that each house was a fortress for the extended family, including the servants. Any connections to next door were made with bridges at th ... read more

Europe » Italy » Tuscany » Florence

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Italy became a nation-state in 1861 when the city-states of the peninsula, along with Sardinia and Sicily, were united under King Victor EMMANUEL II. An era of parliamentary government came to a close in the early 1920s when Benito MUSSOLINI establis... ... read more