Return to Fiesole photos

Between 10C and 8C BC, Italic tribes settled in what is now Firenze, along the Arno River. Later, about 59 BC, the Romans established a "castrum" here and named it Florentia after the season in which the "Ludi Floreales" (Floral Games) were held in honor of the goddess Flora. (One would guess that the season is spring.)

Up in the hills just north of this site, the town of Fiesole has a history from at least 7C BC. The hilltop site was selected for military security, for its location at a natural crossroads of travel routes, and to avoid the risk of floods of the Arno and malaria in the marshlands found there then. At some point, citizens from Fiesole apparently had some sort of conflict, and some of their members came down to settle a site along the river. The place has always been enjoyed for its favorable climate (better than on the plain) and for its strategic position.

For centuries Fiesole and Florence were enemies-common at that time. In 1125 Florence invaded Fiesole and completely razed the city, except for the Duomo and the Bishop's Palace (so as not to incur the wrath of the pope) and the remains of the historic fortifications. The two cities have lived together in peace since then, and Fiesole is a fairly expensive "bedroom" community as well as a fantastic viewpoint. It is only a 15-minute city bus ride from downtown Florence, but a world away.

Traces of Etruscan civilization here are chiefly the remains of one massive wall which indicates the probable size and extent of the original fortifications, and the foundations of a temple built in 3C BC and altered by the Romans 200-300 years later.

There is ample record of the Roman occupation. At the foot of the Duomo (cathedral) are remarkably well-preserved ruins of the Roman settlement, including the amphitheater (1C, rebuilt 3C) containing 3,000 seats (see pictures), thermal baths with an elaborate system for heating and conveying the spring water, and a Roman temple built on the foundations of the earlier Etruscan temple. The view of the Tuscan countryside from there is almost breathtaking in its simple beauty.