Founded by the Romans in the first century B.C., Florence began its rebirth after the decadence of the barbaric ages, in the Carolingian period, and reached the highest pinnacles of civilization between the 11th and 15th centuries, as a free city, basking in a happy stability amid Imperial and Papal authorities, overcoming the unfortunate internal dispute between Guelfs and Ghibellines.

In the 15th century, it came under the rule of the Medici family, who later became the Grand Dukes of Tuscany. This in fact was the period when the city was at the height of its glory in art and culture, in politics and economic power.

The Grand Duchy of the Medicis was succeeded in the 18th century by that of the House of Lorraine, when in 1860 Tuscany became part of the Kingdom of Italy of which Florence was the capital from 1865 to 1871. In this century, this city has once more taken up its role as an important centre for culture and the arts.