View of Florence from Fiesole | Photo by @officialjendano I wasn't on tour yet when I spent a summer in Italy, but I did extensive traveling throughout the country and some of those memories belong in this blog. Fiesole is one place that's impossible to forget. From it's breathtaking views of the city of Florence below, to its centuries-old stonework, to its fantastic small-town Tuscan culture, Fiesole is definitely a place to visit.
As a Creative Writing student in the city below, I was incredibly lucky to have a tutor who would whisk me away to the hills of Fiesole to write for an afternoon. It was an almost magical experience, and some of my best creative work came from watching the sunset over Florence while I sipped wine and inhaled the surprisingly welcome combination of cigars, fresh bread, summer flowers, and balsamic vinaigrette.
As a Creative Writing student in the city below, I was incredibly lucky to have a tutor who would whisk me away to the hills of Fiesole to write for an afternoon. It was an almost magical experience, and some of my best creative work came from watching the sunset over Florence while I sipped wine and inhaled the surprisingly welcome combination of cigars, fresh bread, summer flowers, and balsamic vinaigrette.
 The steep stone streets of Fiesole | Photo by @officialjendano |  Teeny-tiny cars parked on the old stone streets | Photo by @officialjendano |
Only about 5 miles from Florence, Fiesole's views of the city below are impressive. It's a fairly quick bus trip up the hill, and buses run throughout the day. Make sure to check with locals in Florence before heading up to Fiesole, since the bus schedule (going there) is not always the most reliable. Once there, however, buses run back to Florence about every 20 minutes.
The city was most likely founded as early as 9th century BC, and it's easy to feel transported to an earlier time when treading along the town's antique stone streets. Fiesole has a fascinating history, made more impressive when realizing how the large city below was for many years equal in power despite the population difference. Fiesole's interactions with Florence are recorded in numerous works you possibly read Sparknotes for back in English 101 (i.e. Dante's Divine Comedy); and, although there is no longer great writing inspired by wars between the two, it's still more than likely you'll find someone furiously writing in reaction to the moving landscape.
Although Tuscany is dotted with ancient towns, most complete with remnants of Roman stonework, Fiesole is ideal for those spending a vacation primarily in Florence. The proximity offers visitors to Florence a chance to taste "ancient Tuscany" without backpacking too far into the hills. In the city, it's often hard to truly transport yourself to see the area the way the Romans did; in Fiesole, this isn't a problem. The sights in Fiesole are eerily still intact, and there is a high chance that you will use a water fountain frequented by a Roman warrior himself. Make sure to check out:
The city was most likely founded as early as 9th century BC, and it's easy to feel transported to an earlier time when treading along the town's antique stone streets. Fiesole has a fascinating history, made more impressive when realizing how the large city below was for many years equal in power despite the population difference. Fiesole's interactions with Florence are recorded in numerous works you possibly read Sparknotes for back in English 101 (i.e. Dante's Divine Comedy); and, although there is no longer great writing inspired by wars between the two, it's still more than likely you'll find someone furiously writing in reaction to the moving landscape.
Although Tuscany is dotted with ancient towns, most complete with remnants of Roman stonework, Fiesole is ideal for those spending a vacation primarily in Florence. The proximity offers visitors to Florence a chance to taste "ancient Tuscany" without backpacking too far into the hills. In the city, it's often hard to truly transport yourself to see the area the way the Romans did; in Fiesole, this isn't a problem. The sights in Fiesole are eerily still intact, and there is a high chance that you will use a water fountain frequented by a Roman warrior himself. Make sure to check out:
- Etruscan walls
- Il Duomo (the cathedral of Fiesole)
- Palazzo Comunale
- Primerana Church
- Roman Baths
- San Francesco Monastery
View into a monk's chamber | Photo by @officialjendano If you're in Fiesole for a quick afternoon, and can only check one place out, my suggestion is the San Francesco Monastery (on Via San Francesco). Be sure to read up on the history of the place and, if you're a photo-buff, there are infinite possibilities for a picture-perfect moment here. Walk straight up the cobblestone road until there's a sharp left turn, then look for steps on your right. Take the steps and you'll be looking out over the Roman theater and excavation area. Head back to the cobble road and continue to climb up, and you'll stop in your tracks within 5 minutes to absorb an absolutely breathtaking view of the countryside. Take it all in, take a few deep breaths, and continue up the road until you get to the Monastery steps. This place is incredible, and well worth the hike. It's typically not very crowded, and offers a rare view of the monks' private cells.
Make sure to take a stroll along the town's streets, and check out the local market (right in the town center) for some fantastic fresh produce.
Send me a postcard!
Make sure to take a stroll along the town's streets, and check out the local market (right in the town center) for some fantastic fresh produce.
Send me a postcard!
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