Visit our NYU in Florence photo gallery for images of the program and city.
Florence (Firenze in Italian) is one of the three most visited cities in Italy. It is famous as the birthplace of the Renaissance when, from the 15th century onwards, there was an extraordinary flowering of the arts and a return to classical ideals. At this time, some of the most important artists who have ever lived were at work in Florence, including Donatello, Masaccio, Brunelleschi, Ghiberti, Botticelli, Raphael, Leon Battista Alberti, Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci. Indeed, the last three stand out not only for their artistic achievements but also for their writings and 'universal' talents.
Florence, with a population of around 380,000, remains a relatively small city, a misura d'uomo, its human scale appreciated by both residents and visitors alike. All its great monuments and most famous museums are concentrated in a small area, within easy walking distance of one another. The historic centre is remarkably well preserved and the low hills which surround the town have retained their vineyards, olive groves, and handsome villas which provide a prelude to the beautiful Tuscan landscape. No visitor should leave Florence without seeing the city from a raised vantage point, from the top of the Duomo or the Campanile, or from one of the surrounding hills.
Climate
Students are urged to travel light but to bring warm clothing to Florence. It's best to bring clothing which can be layered in colder weather and lightened in late spring and early fall. Although the temperature seldom drops below 35°F, it is frequently cool and can be damp during the winter. Italian buildings maintain much lower temperatures than most buildings in the United States. Warm clothes, especially sweaters and jackets for indoors, are a necessity in the winter months.
Customs and Culture
Italians are a generally warm people and welcome visitors who are enthusiastic about learning their culture into their community and homes. You'll find that the majority of Florentines, especially shop keepers and restaurant workers have a good grip on the English language and it is not hard to navigate the small city with limited language skills. They may not expect visitors to speak Italian, but they will warm to you more quickly if you aren't shy about fumbling your way through a few phrases and will be eager to give you the opportunity hone your skills.
When out and about, you may notice a few unwritten rules of etiquette that come in handy to any visitor to Italy. Greetings are warm and friendly, and it's not rare to receive a customary hug or kiss when meeting someone even for the first time. Though smoking has recently been prohibited in bars, it is still a somewhat acceptable habit not generally considered as offensive to non-smokers as it might in the United States. And when dining out, coperto, or a cover charge, is customarily added to the check. Tipping a percentage of the bill is not the norm, though it is always a considered a polite gesture to round the check up and leave a few extra euros after the meal.