Florence
Fall in Love With Florence
The International SWS Conference on Arts & Humanities, will be held in the magnificent Auditorium Al Duomo, right into the cradle of the Renaissance - the enchanting Florence (FI), Italy.
The capital of the region Tuscany, Italy, was established during the Roman period and was the centre of Medieval and Renaissance literature, philosophy and art. It was highly praised by many historians from these two as well as the succeeding epochs. Florence was frequently called “The Athens of the Middle Ages”. This is the birthplace of some of the most prominent Renaissance and Medieval intellectuals as Dante, Petrarch, Boccaccio, Francesco Guicciardini, Donatello, Leonardo Da Vinci, Michelangelo and last but not the least the Medici. Florence is the dream of every artistic soul. Its museums, palaces, churches, and squares host some of the most exemplary and important artistic treasures in the world.
The most popular and important sites in Florence include the Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore, the Baptistery, the Uffizi, the Bargello and the Accademia. The churches of Santa Maria Novella and Santa Croce are genuine art galleries, and the library of San Lorenzo is a magnificent exhibition of Michelangelo's architectural genius. You could get lost around some of the oldest streets in Europe, until you reach the Arno River, cross the Ponte Vecchio, and immerse into the "newest" area of Florence - the Oltrarno. Be sure to set time aside for the vast and varied art collection housed in the Pitti Palace. When you grow weary of museums and monuments, there is a lot to see outdoors. Spend a day at the Boboli Gardens or climb the hill to the church of San Miniato al Monte to overlook the enchanting silhouette of the city. Florence is a metropolis with unique charm, vibrancy and flair. It boasts outstanding infrastructure, and clean and safe environment. For more than eight centuries, Florence is still one of the major Art centres and an irresistible source of creative inspiration as well as one of the most beautiful parts to discover in Europe. Welcome to the cradle of Arts and Humanities!
Magnificent Florence
History and Development
Florence is one of the major historical cities in Italy, named to be exceptional for its economic, cultural, and political development and advancement. Florence artistic centres represent the expansion of the Italian Art from the Late Middle Ages to Renaissance.
Florence was famously known as banking and finance innovation centre ever since the 13th century when the famous bankers from North Italy known as Lombards, gradually replace the Jews in their traditional role as money-lenders to the rich and powerful. The business and trading skills of the Italians are enhanced by their invention of double-entry book-keeping. The new creative accountancy enabled them to avoid the Christian sin of usury. In this way interest on a loan was presented in the accounts either as a voluntary gift from the borrower or as a reward for the risk taken..
