Considered the birthplace of Renaissance, Florence is the capital of Tuscany. Its historic center is one of the most visited in the world and declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1982. Florence is also in the top fifty fashion capitals of the world. The old districts still define the geography of Florence: you can know more information in the following sections about Santa Croce, Santa Maria Novella, Oltrarno (San Frediano + Santo Spirito) and Duomo – Cathedral areas and their incredible artistic heritage. Habitat Apartments provide high quality apartments in central Florence, close to Ponte Vecchio, Uffizi Gallery and the Brunelleschi Dome.
Essential: a “lampredotto” sandwich
Famous for: the market
In three words: traditional, typical, rustic
San Lorenzo in Florence basically means one thing: the market! In fact, the two markets. A space with open stands that loops between the Via Nazionales and the Piazza di San Lorenzo. There you can find clothes, jewelry, leather products (the pride of Florence). Open all day, every day, even though in the last few years it has changed looks (many stands disappeared), it always have been worth a walk. Among the stands, you will find the historic Central Market, with a wide range of fresh products. In the surroundings you may also find many shops, wineries, the “lampredotto” carts, and some low-priced taverns which offer typical Florentine food.
HISTORY: San Lorenzo is an Ancient neighborhood which formed around the Basilica in the IV century. It’s the first cathedral in Florence, with a simple, exposed, basic facade. The internal patio is one of the most beautiful places in the centre. During Renaissance, the district gained prestige because of the Medici family who built the Medici Riccardi Palace, the new Basilica renovated by Brunelleschi and the Medici Chapel. The market was founded in the XIX century, as part of the proclamation of Florence as a capital. Consequently the neighborhood became a commercial zone, full of artisan shops. Nowadays the area is rather comfortable and central, just 5 minutes away from the Santa Maria Novella station, very conveniently located closet to our holiday apartments in Florence.
AMBIENCE: We’re in the centre of the city, but the air is different here. It maight be because of the market, or its old and vintage traditions. San Lorenzo transmits an authentic sensation, whether it is the strong aromas on the streets, the voices that scream to attract buyers for their best products, or the big colourful signs. The Capella dei Principi and the Basilica di San Lorenzo make a charming appearance that easily force people to stop and forget about everything around them for a couple of minutes.
PLACES: Via Cavour is an elegant wide pedestrian street, full of shops. It connects Piazza San Marco and Piazza del Duomo. Halfway you’ll find the Mercato di San Lorenzo and the imposing structure of the Palazzo Medici Riccardi, a masterpiece due to its simplicity and elegance. It also houses great works of art and its patio is an example of harmony and symmetry.
The Cappella dei Principi is a museum, as well as the burial place of the Medici family, built on the upper part of the Basilica di San Lorenzo. It’s the second dome (also red!) because of the dimensions of the city, but built by Michelangelo. On the opposite side you can admire the Basilica di San Lorenzo: a small and intimate treasure.
The Biblioteca Medicea Laurenziana, also in the Piazza di San Lorenzo, is Micheangelo’s work and one of the best collections of manuscripts in the world (11.044), also housing printed books and incunabula.
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