Florence in the XXth Century

The twentieth century left a profound impact on Florence's art, architecture and urban planning, either in the historic centre and in some of the suburbs.

The ideal starting point for any itinerary should be the Museo Novecento (20th Century Museum), housed in the Ex-Leopoldine Complex in Piazza Santa Maria Novella. Recently opened and equipped with modern multimedia technology, the museum retraces the stages of that unique artistic period, during which Florence was an unquestionable epicenter. Over 300 works are on display, including names such as De Chirico, Morandi, Rosai, Sironi, Casorati, De Pisis, Fontana, Vedova and Magnelli. Particularly rich is the calendar of temporary exhibitions that are organized all year round.

Santa Maria Novella railway station, designed by a group of architects led by Giovanni Michelucci, is a masterpiece of the '30s. He projected also Palazzina Reale radically redesigned in its current forms in 1934, as well as the hyper-modern Church of the Autostrada in northern Florence.

Another distinctive feature of the Tuscan capital is its Art Nouveau houses. The most notable examples, by Giovanni Michelazzi, are the Casa Galleria in Borgo Ognissanti, the Villino Broggi-Caraceni in Via Scipione Ammirato, and the Villino Lampredi in Via Giano della Bella. Extremely refined is the sophisticated decor of Florence's most beautiful cinema: the Odeon by Marcello Piacentini, which opened in 1922.

Not to be missed is the visit to the Marino Marini Museum (one of the greatest Italian sculptors of the twentieth century): it was skilfully crafted inside the church of San Pancrazio by the architects Papi-Sacchi in 1970, as well as the Opificio delle Pietre Dure by the architects Adolfo and Fabrizio Natalini dates back to the early 1990's.

Two examples of rationalist architecture from the 1930s are the Artemio Franchi football stadium (home of the Fiorentina football club in the Campo di Marte neighbourhood), designed by Pier Luigi Nervi, and the School of Aerial Warfare (in Cascine Park), by Raffaello Fagnoni.

And last but by not least, we suggest you an Art Nouveau itinerary in Florence, including palaces, villas, the magnificent  stained glass windows in some of the luxury hotels in the city centre, designed by Galileo Chini.

Of course, these are just a few key points for an original itinerary of 20th-century Florence.