The picturesque hill town of Fiesole is located on a hilltop no more than 10 kilometers north of Florence. Although obviously not as well known as the provincial capital itself, it is a wonderful city for tourists, with sights from both Etruscan and Roman times as well as from the Middle Ages and the Renaissance.
All about Fiesole (Province of Florence)
Tourist information
The Fiesole Tourist Office is attached to the archaeological ruins, no more than a few minutes’ walk from the main square. Free city maps are provided.
What to see in Fiesole
From the time when the Etruscans populated the region, parts of the walls made of huge stones can still be seen. The Roman ruins include baths and the ancient amphitheatre, which is still used as a backdrop for the EstateFiesolana Festival during the summer. An Archaeological Museum is also attached to the excavation.
In the small historic center there are several beautiful churches and palaces. The central square is called Piazza Mino da Fiesole. Here you will find the Cathedral and the 14th century Palazzo Pretorio (town hall). There is also a statue depicting the freedom fighter Giuseppe Garibaldi, together with King Victor Emmanuel II.
The church of Santa Maria Primerana is decorated with frescoes by Giotto. The Monastery of San Francesco with its Gothic church is located outside the built-up area. The Badia Fiesolana is flanked by a former monastery. The convent of San Domenico is mostly famous because of frescoes by Beato Angelico.
The collection of the Bandini Museum consists mainly of medieval art.
Leonardo da Vinci used the hilltop on which the city is built for his experiments with flying machines. Since Fiesole is almost 300 meters higher than Florence, it still offers a beautiful panorama over its larger neighbor.
A brief history of Fiesole
The first inhabitants of the place where Fiesole was founded were probably there about 2000 years before Christ. In the 8th century BC, it was an important Etruscan city. In 225 BC, when the Gauls invaded the region, the city fought the Romans. After the Romans took power, they built a new city on the Etruscan ruins.
Until the 5th century, Fiesole managed to compete with Florence, but eventually they lost the power struggle. The nobility then moved to Florence itself. During the Middle Ages, when the various bishops held power, there was a short-lived period of prosperity. In 1125, however, Fiesole came back into Florentine hands. In the 14th century, when the wealthier Florentines sought quieter neighborhoods to build their villas, a new heyday began. Several beautiful gardens have survived from this time.
How to get to Fiesole by public transportation
From Piazza San Marco in the centre of Florence, take bus number 7. It stops in the main square Piazza Mino da Fiesole. Despite the fact that the villas along the way are largely hidden behind thick, high walls, the 30-minute drive is still extremely picturesque. On the way back you can also take the bus from the square in the borough of San Domenico.