A Vision of Restoration at San Miniato

  Restoration work at San Miniato al Monte (11th c.), the Florentine basilica near to Piazzale Michelangelo, has just been completed. The project, which began in 2017, was funded by the Friends of Florence, an American association founded in 1998 with the vision of preserving Florentine and Tuscan heritage; continual support and donations from its members across the world have seen this project through to the end. Restorations were overseen by the Superintendency [...]

Coronation Celebrations in Florence

    Friday, 5 and Saturday, 6: EVENTS FOR THE CORONATION OF CHARLES III  The coronation of Charles III is fast approaching, scheduled to take place on Saturday, May 6. The Royal Family has always occupied a central place in British life and news about their public and private lives (recently increasingly indistinguishable) is commonly front-page news. For those who do want to engage in the King’s coronation while here, there are a [...]

‘Women Artists in Grand Tour Florence,’ Lecture in English

Women around the world are celebrated every year on March 8 for International Women’s Day. Named La Festa della Donna in Italy, the day honors women for their political, economic and social accomplishments which have brought females around the world to where they are now. On Wednesday, March 1 at 6 pm, The British Institute of Florence will be hosting a lecture focused on female artists featured in Florentine museums through the 18th [...]

A Champagne Toast in Arnolfo’s Tower for Valentine’s Day

The Arnolfo Tower of Palazzo Vecchio will once again host a spumante champagne toast and celebration of love on the most romantic day of the year, Valentine’s Day. Hosted by the Municipality of Florence, the Metropolitan City, and MUS.E, on Feb. 14 the toast will be made in honor of the love couples have for each other.  A well-liked and popular Florentine Valentine’s Day tradition, this will be the first Valentine’s Day toast [...]

Florence Gift Ideas at Antica Erboristeria San Simone

Looking for the perfect gift is perhaps the most stressful choice to make during the Christmas season. Everyone has unique interests and tastes, so shopping to find something that suits every person in your life can be difficult. Find a perfect gift for any family member at Antica Erboristeria San Simone Perfume and Herbalist Shop. The tradition of medicinal herbs began in the 1700 inside the Oblate Convent and has now transformed into [...]

2022’s Thanksgiving Giveaway at Pino’s Sandwiches

Pino’s Sandwiches has been around for over 25 years and is located right in the heart of Florence. Pino is the creator of the first “Thanksgiving” sandwich in Florence, which includes roast turkey, gravy and if desired, chestnut stuffing and brie cheese. Alternatively, Pino’s Thanksgiving entrée comprises turkey breast, chestnut stuffing, mashed potatoes, and a green bean casserole with creamy onion sauce. Magenta Florence is giving away THREE (3) of Pino’s famous Thanksgiving [...]

Voter Assistance for Mid-Term Elections

Non-partisan voter assistance is being offered for Americans in Florence wishing to participate from abroad for the midterm elections on Tuesday, October 18 and Thursday, October 20 from 3 – 5 pm at Sotto al British, Lungarno Guicciardini 15.   This service is being provided free of charge by U.S. residents in Florence Gail Cocke and Sarah Baker. Says Gail, “we know it is not easy to understand how to vote from abroad in [...]

Florence’s September Historic Tower & Gate Visits

Florence has long been heralded as a city so rich in cultural value that it can be likened to a living, breathing museum. A new project affirms this assertion — the city’s historical defense system, consisting of towers, gates, and fortresses, is now open for tours and visits.  The network of structures was born a very long time ago, around 1284, under the instruction of the Signoria di Firenze, the council that called [...]

International Youth Orchestra Concerts in Piazza Signoria

The Florence Youth Orchestra Festival headlines international orchestral concerts with free entrance in Piazza Signoria once again this July. After two years of difficulty regarding the COVID-19 restrictions, the 23rd edition returns with 18 youth orchestras from 11 countries and celebrates talent, music, and youth under the Loggia dei Lanzi which is the main venue of the event. Began in 1999, the festival has brought orchestras from around the world in Florence. After [...]

‘Pinocchio Has Green Eyes’ – A Special Show

Until July 2, 2022: PINOCCHIO HAS GREEN EYES. C.A. Ciampi exhibition space, Via dè Pucci 16/r. Open daily 10 am – 12 pm and 3 pm – 6 pm, and 10 am – 1 pm on Saturdays. Admission is free. Florentines and visitors have a few days left to experience an artist’s interpretation of the classic fable in Pinocchio Has Green Eyes by Graziano Guiso. Curated by Claudio Giannini and Paola Galeotti, the [...]