The crypt underneath the duomo is the most ancient thing we will see: it corresponds to the early christian church dedicated to Santa Reparata. The choice of this saint is due to an historical event: on the 8th of October (day traditionally dedicated to this greek saint) 405 the florentine Romans could resist againist the attack of a barbaric population. In order to thank the saint for the help she had given them, the Floretines decided to move the title of cathedral church from the ancient San Lorenzo’s (previuosly consacrated by saint Ambrose) to the new church.

One of the most interesting work on show in the crypt is the mosaic floor, decorated with a number of christian symbols. Beside them you can clearly read the names of those patrons who gave money for making the pavement: they payed for it and, sofar, they wanted to be remembered forever!

L'articolo The treausures of the Florence Cathedral sembra essere il primo su  | Florence Tourist Guide.

Italian state museums will be open for free on the first sunday of every month, the Italian Minister for Culture Dario Franceschini decided on July 6th 2014.

The decision includes 420 state museums all over the country and is part of a move to boost museum visits.

L'articolo Free entry to museums sembra essere il primo su  | Florence Tourist Guide.

The opening time is from 10 a.m. to 8.30 p.m. on the 16^th of May; from 10 a.m. to 10.30 p.m. on the 17^th and the 18^th of May; and from 10 a.m. to 8.30 p.m. on the 19^th of May. This event, that has come to the ninth edition, proposes an interesting tour in the historical garden, still belonging to the Corsini family and designed by the architect Gherardo Silvani during the 17^th century, at the discovery of the appreciated Florentine artisanal skill. Among the workshops, I would recommend to visit Paola Staccioli’s one: Paola produces really fine series of lustered ceramic objects  and invents original compositions starting from the classical shape of a teacup or a teapot.

During the same days there will be another event: in the magnificent Boboli garden (behind the Pitti Palace) it will take place “I profumi di Boboli “ (Boboli’s perfumes), seventh fair dedicated to the natural fragrances. The setting will be in the area called Orto della Botanica Inferiore, where, until the 18^th century, there was a Spezieria (spices garden). The opening hour goes from 10 a.m. to 6.30 p.m. on the 16^th and 17^th May and from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on the 18^th and 19^th May. The entrance is at Annalena Gate, Via Romana 37/a. The production of perfumes has ancient roots in Florence as witnessed by the famous Officina profumo – farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella established in 1612 in the rooms once destined to the convent pharmacy.

If you wish to use next weekend to visit those places which are normally closed to the public, I would recommend not to waste the last opportunity to enter the Iris Garden, whose entrance is very close to the Piazzale Michelangiolo: on Monday 20^th May the garden will be closed till the 25^th of April 2014.

Beside this, consider that Friday night (18^th May) is the so-called Notte dei Musei (museums night), when many State Museums (Uffizi Gallery, Palatine Gallery in the Pitti Palace, Accademia Gallery, San Marco Museum) will be opened for free from 7 p.m. to 1 a.m.

Enjoy your weekend in Florence!

L'articolo Week-end events in Florence: why not have a short break there? sembra essere il primo su  | Florence Tourist Guide.