Fiesole
Fiesole: The Most Exclusive Municipality in Florence
Hello everyone! Today, I want to talk to you about Fiesole, a Tuscan municipality that is only 6 kilometers away from Florence. Fiesole has always been considered one of the most exclusive areas in all of Florence and was known to be the richest municipality in all of Tuscany.
But let's start with the physical geography of this beautiful municipality.
Physical Geography
Fiesole is located on a double hill that dominates the valleys of the Arno and Mugnone rivers and extends to other neighboring hills, including numerous hamlets, until it touches the Arno River in the valley hamlets of Girone and Anchetta. The city has a seismic classification of zone 3, which means that strong earthquakes are less likely than in other areas. In addition, the climatic classification of the municipality is zone E with 2216 degree days, and the atmospheric diffusivity is low.
Now that we have seen the physical geography of Fiesole, let's move on to its history.
History
Fiesole has Etruscan origins, dating back to the 4th century BC, and was considered one of the most important cities in the region. In the 3rd century BC, Fiesole became an ally of Rome, and in 90 BC, the city rebelled during the Social War and was then taken by Lucio Porcio Catone. Later, the city was occupied by a colony of veterans of Lucio Cornelio Silla.
From here on, Faesulae Romana became the center of the region with a Capitol, a Forum, a theater, temples, and a thermal system. The acropolis was located on the top of the hill, where the convent of San Francesco is today. The city prospered until the Barbarian Invasions of the 5th and 6th centuries; in 405, Fiesole was the stage of the Battle of Fiesole (405), which saw the defeat of the Goths of Radagaiso by Stilicho.
During the High Middle Ages, the political power of Fiesole was acquired by the Diocese from 492, during the Byzantine and Lombard era. However, the city began to suffer from an increasingly evident decline during the Lombard domination, coinciding with the growth of the economic and political influence of Florence.
In 1125, Florence conquered Fiesole, which followed the fate of the nearby city of the lily. In 1325, the Florentines restored the city walls due to the fear of Castruccio Castracani's offensive, thus reaffirming the site's remarkable strategic importance. In particular, the upper city was walled, which has been home to the convent of San Francesco since 1399.
Conclusion
In short, Fiesole is a beautiful Tuscan municipality that certainly deserves a visit, both for its stunning geographical location and its fascinating history. The city has Etruscan origins and dates back to the 4th century BC when it was considered one of the most important cities in the region. Today, Fiesole is famous for being the most exclusive municipality in Florence and for its charm that attracts numerous visitors from all over the world.
