The history of Florence goes back a long way in time. It was founded in 59 B.C. as a Roman colony with the name Florentia. The city went through a moment of great rebirth from the 10th and 11th centuries, when it was enriched with new buildings and was characterized by significant expansion, both political and economic. The settlement was enriched with churches and convents. While the whole territory was shaken by power struggles that passed alternately into the hands of the Guelphs and Ghibellines, the city established itself as an economic and financial power.

“E come l’volger del ciel della luna / cuopre e riscopre i liti sanza posa, / così fa di Fiorenza la Fortuna: / per che non dee parer mirabil cosa / ciò ch’io dirò delli alti Fiorentini / onde è la fama nel tempo nascosa.” (Dante Alighieri)