Henry Holiday: First Meeting of Dante and Beatrice (1877) - Image posted by Victorian British Painting

Florence is a city incredibly rich in history and charm. Its beauty and the vibrant ferment that has always animated it have inspired entire generations of poets, architects, musicians, sculptors and painters. But what do we know about the women who have populated it and their fundamental contribution in making it that precious treasure chest of culture and art that we all know?

Living in Florence means getting lost every day in its beauty and its history. All the squares, the gardens, the riversides, even the most hidden corners of the city, have a story to tell. And among the picturesque traditions that animate the Florentine summer, that of “Calcio Storico” is undoubtedly one of the most original and one of the most heartfelt. In fact, true and proper fan clubs meet every year in Piazza Santa Croce and, under the stern gaze of the statue of Dante, encourage and loudly cheer on their favorite team. But, let's discover the origins of this sport "in costume”.

Academics, scholars, deans and journalists from over 50 universities from all over the world met this past May 22nd and 23rd in Florence for "Spaces of war, war of spaces": two days of debate and discussions with top experts in political science, journalism and strategic communication to analyze the relationship between war and information. The conference, organized by Elon University in collaboration with Accademia Europea di Firenze, Italian excellence in the formative training of international students, took place between the AEF Headquarters at Palazzo Niccolini and the Cinema Teatro La Compagnia.

Just a few steps from our school, in Via Ricasoli, lies the Galleria dell'Accademia, one of the most visited museums in the world. Its corridors are home to seven sculptures by the brilliant Michelangelo, including the famous David, but perhaps not everyone knows that inside is an incredible collection of musical instruments. In fact, since 2001 the Gallery houses, in the area once dedicated to the monastery of San Niccolò a Cafaggio, the Museum of Musical Instruments, with an exhibition of about fifty pieces from the collections of the Grand Dukes of Tuscany, Medici and Lorraine.

Among the many peculiarities that distinguish it in the world, Florence is undoubtedly the capital of craftsmanship: in the city streets it is still possible today to admire the great tradition of the shops, handed down from master to master. Authentic pieces of art that catch the eye for their uniqueness and the skill with which they are made.