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History of Florence - Part III

Florence took Turin's place as Italy's capital in 1865, making the country's first parliament, but was followed by Rome six years later, after the retreat of the French troops made its addition to the kingdom possible. After having doubled-up during the 19th century, Florence's population tripled in the 20th with the growth of tourism, trade, financial services and industry. During World War II the city experienced a whole year of German occupation (1943-1944) and was announced as an open city.

A crucial part was played by the famous café of Florence Giubbe Rosse in those years from its foundation until the present day. Piazza del Mercato Vecchio was destroyed (Old Market Square), and then was renamed Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II. It is known today as Piazza della Repubblica, and is the location of the Giubbe Rosse. In those years (the end of the l9th century) the city administration of Florence decided to tear down the old neighborhood of Mercato Vecchio, to build a new square dedicated to Victor Emmanuel II. "Non fu giammai così nobil giardino/ come a quel tempo egli è Mercato Vecchio / che l'occhio e il gusto pasce al fiorentino", claimed Antonio Pucci (poet) in the fourteenth century, "Mercato Vecchio nel mondo è alimento./ A ogni altra piazza il prego serra". The area had been ripped away from its original medieval magnificence.

In November 1966, the Arno River inundated some parts of the center, damaging many artistic masterpieces. The authorities knew the flood was coming but did not put forward any warning, except a phone call to the jewelers on the Ponte Vecchio. Around the city there are small placards on the walls showing where the flood waters reached their highest point.

Florence and the Renaissance

The boom in artistic, literary, and scientific investigation that took place in Florence in the 14th-16th centuries was precipitated by Florentines' concern with money, banking and trade and with the demonstration of wealth and leisure. With the money from the banking, the Medicis, very affluent bankers, sponsored artists like Michelangelo.

In addition to this, the crisis of the Roman Catholic church (especially the controversy over the French Avignon Papacy and the Great Schism), along with the catastrophic effects of the Black Death, led to a re-evaluation of medieval values, resulting in the development of a humanist culture, stimulated by the works of Petrarch and Boccaccio. This incited study of the classical remains, leading to the Renaissance. Florence benefited materially and culturally from this shift in social awareness.

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