World of Stamps: Florence By Geir Sør-Reime In the February Stamp News Online, we looked at Rome, the capital city of modern Italy since 1871. We recall that Italy was divided into a num- ber of petty states prior to unification 1860-70. In 1859-61, most of Italy except the core of the Papal States and the Austrian domains around Venice (acquired Street map showing Florence attractions 1866) was united into one king- dom, cen- tered round the Royal H o u s e o f Savoy, re- s i d i n g i n Turin. Left, Italy 1970 for centenary union of Naturally, Turin be- Papal States with the rest of Italy and came the first capital showing buildings in the three capitals city of unified Italy, of re-united Italy (Turin, Florence (Old but already in 1865, Palace) and Rome) (Sc. 1019); right, 2011 Canopy for celebration of Italian the Royal Family and re-unification the government of Italy moved to Florence, which then became the provisional capital city of Italy until 1871. During Napoleon’s rule over Italy, he also used Florence as his city of residence. Otherwise, Florence was the capital of the Grand Duchy of Tuscany. Issue 21 - September 7, 2012 - StampNewsOnline.net If you enjoy this article, and are not already a subscriber, for $12 a year you can enjoy 60+ pages a month. To subscribe, email [email protected] Florence was a Roman city, and was originally named Fluentia, later corrupted to Florentia. During the 14th to 16th centuries, it was probably the most important city of Europe, politically, economically, culturally and artisti- cally. It was the birthplace of the Italian Renaissance, and the Italian language of today is the language as spoken in Florence. Golden Florin coins of the bankers of Flor- ence were the U.S. Dollars as global coinage during late medieval times. Florence was the home of the Medici fam- ily, who eventually became the Grand Dukes of Tuscany (in real power since 1434, dukes from 1530, and grand dukes from 1569 until the Italy 1980 for the Medici family family died out 1737). (Sc. 1406a + label) Last year, I spent a week in Florence, and like in Rome, rushed between the ma- jor attractions of the city. Tourism, in fact, is the major industry of Florence and I was not alone there, queues outside the major galleries bore witness to that. The Chianti wine region is immedi- Italy 1966 Visit ately south of Florence and together with Italy, showing Tuscan food specialties like grilled meat, various tourist attractions in bread, various pasta dishes and a variety of Italy, includ- cheeses, and not to forget the vin santo (for- ing Old Palace, tified wine) and the associated cantuccini Florence (Sc. biscuits, a frequent dessert in Florence. 938) There are many important buildings in central Florence, itself a World Heritage site. Probably most famous is the Old Bridge across the Arno River, but other main sites include the Cathedral, the Old Palace, the Uffizi Palace, the Pitti Palace, the Accademia. I came to Florence on March 17, 2011, a specially pro- claimed national holiday celebrating the 150th anniver- sary of the unification of Italy. There were special exhibits Issue 21 - September 7, 2012 - StampNewsOnline.net in the museum (entrance to which was free) and several ceremonies and speeches, and thousands of people on the streets. As usual, my visit was a kind of relay run from one museum or attraction to the other. Almost immediately after checking in at our hotel, we walked along the Arno river and down to the Ponte Vecchio, the Old Bridge. This bridge was built in 1345. On the bridge there have always been workshops, originally butchers, tanners and blacksmiths, today goldsmiths. On top of the workshops is a private corridor, built 1565 by Vasari for the Princes of Tuscany as a passage between their Old Palace and the Palazzo Pitti, which from 1550 became the main residence of the Medici-family. The corridor also passes through the Uffizi, originally the government offices, today an art gallery. First stop was the Galleria dell’Academia, the former sculptors’ academy. The queues here are endless, because the gallery’s col- lection of sculptures includes some of the world’s finest, foremost David by Michel- angelo. This statue in fact, was moved to the gallery from its outdoor location at the Piazza della Signoria in 1873. A replica now Albania 1975 stands where the original used to be. 500th birth anniversary of The David statue has been featured on Michaelangeo, many stamps, but only one from Italy: On here David (in the 2006 Tuscany, region of Italy stamp, the Galleria) (Sc. head of the statue was shown as the most 1658) prominent icon of Tuscany. Other depic- tions include a 1967 stamp from Upper Yafa (here Italy 2006 Tuscan Soviet Union 1975 Mi- also only the Region (also showing chelangeo David (de- tail and full), Galleria head is shown), head of Michelangelo’s David, in the Galleria) (Sc. 4296) Albania and the (Sc. 2747) Issue 21 - September 7, 2012 - StampNewsOnline.net Soviet Union (on their 1975 stamp, both a detail of the head and the full statue are shown). Close to the Galleria is the Florence Archaeological Museum, our next stop. No queues there, and few visitors inside, although the museum gives a very comprehensive insight into the history of the Tuscan region from the earli- est times up till the Roman Age. The museum also has a large collection of Egyptian archaeological artifacts origi- nating from a joint French-Tuscan expedition to Egypt in 1829. In the same area of Flor - e n c e i s also the San Mar- Left to right: Italy co church 2005 fresco by Fra and mon- Angelico (Sc. 2697); a s t e r y . Vatican 1955 Fra Angelico (Sc. 196); Vatican 1979 portrait of St. Dominic by Fra Angelico (Sc. 510) The for - mer monastery is most famous for the numerous frescos made by Fra Angelico. Two Vatican stamps of 1955 and a 1971 single reproduce some of these quite amazing works of art. There is also an Italian 2005 issue reproducing one of them. Not so far from there is also the Palazzo Medici Riccardi, the home of the mighty Medici dynasty for around 100 years from 1444 onwards. Later it was bought by the Riccardi family and is today the seat Left, Italy 1980 for the Medici fam- of the Tuscan Regional ily (Sc. 1406b); right, Italy 1992 Government. Parts of the medal with Lorenzo de Medici 1449-1492, de facto ruler of Flor- palace however, are open ence (Sc. 1875) to the public. In the palace chapel, I Cappella dei Magi one can see the colorful fresco The Journey of the Magi by Benozzo Gozzoli. Issue 21 - September 7, 2012 - StampNewsOnline.net Just walking through the city, for instance looking for the impressive post-office building in the city center, you will also encounter several world- famous sights. Probably most famous is the Cathedral, the Santa Maria del Fiore with its impressive cupola. It Italy 1996 Cathedral, has been featured on a number of Florence (Sc. 2103) stamps, including 1995 and 1996 stamps of Italy. The 1996 stamp was issued for the 700th anniversary of the cathedral. It already appeared as the background of two 1955 stamps celebrating the centenary of Tuscany’s first stamps. A 1994 stamp depicted Italy 1994 Brother- an old view of the place in front of the hood of Mercy, Flor- ence, close to the Ca- cathedral. UN World Heritage stamps thedral (Sc. 1989) of 2002 shows a bird’s view of Flor- ence, which includes the cupola of the cathedral. Not so far from the Dome is the Basilica of the Holy Cross, where amongst others, Michelangelo is buried. Also buried here is the famous astrono- mer, Galileo Galilei, buried there upon his death 1642. Galilei had close family con- Italy 1995 Ba- nections to Florence, silica of the Holy and had also lived Italy 1983 Galileo (Sc. Cross, Florence there for a few years. 1558) (Sc. 2028) For many years, he worked within the Grand Duchy of Tuscany. From 1434 he spent his last years in house arrest in his villa in Arcetri near Florence. Another famous man from Flor- ence is the acclaimed poet Dante Alighieri, born in Florence in 1265. The following day, the impres- Italy 1932 Dante (Sc. sive Palazzo Pitti was our first goal. 279) Issue 21 - September 7, 2012 - StampNewsOnline.net It is just across the Ponte Vecchio on the other side of the Arno River, and is connected with the old palace through the passage over the bridge. It was originally planned by the banker Luca Pitti, and construction Italy 1950 for UNES- started 1457. It turned out to be too CO 5th General Con- ambitious for Pitti, and it was bought ference, showing Pitti Palace (Sc. 533) from his heirs by the Medici-family in 1550 and made it their main residence. Ever since, it was the residence of the rulers of the city, including the Dukes of Tuscany, Napoleon and the King of Italy for the short period Florence was the capital of reunified Italy (1865- 71). The Palace was depicted on the 1950 stamp issued in honor of the UNESCO conference in Florence. This stamp also exists with an overprint for use in the Free Territory of Trieste. Already during the ducal times, art collections were formed in the palace, and today, it hosts a number of museums.