Location: Santa Croce, Florence, Firenze (Florence) Province, Tuscany, Italy, Europe (20 minutes from Peretola airport) View Map
Accommodations: Apartment, 2 Bedrooms + No additional sleeping rooms avail, 2.5 Baths (Sleeps 2-4)
Keywords: Apartment
The apartment is located in the heart of Renaissance Florence on Via Ghibellina, between Borgo Allegri and Via Dei Macci; about two blocks away from Michelangelo's house, five minutes walk to Santa Croce, 15 minutes walk to the Duomo or Piazza della Signoria. This neighborhood was featured in the May '05 issue of Bon Appetit.
The main part of this building was registered in the 'Comune' as a convent in the 12th century and renovations and additions have been made throughout the centuries. It is probably part of the surge of the Dominican and Franciscan convents, monasteries, and churches that took over the Santa Croce area in the 12th century.
Recently, on a visit to Leonardo Da Vinci's hilltop town of Vinci, west of Florence, I discovered that he first came to work for the well-known sculptor Andrea Del Verrocchio. To my surprise, the workshop was located on the corner of Via Ghibellina and the street that is now called Via Dei Macci. That would be just below my apartment, at the corner. To be sure, every stone in Florence has a story to tell.
The apartment is on the third floor (no elevator), going up a wide staircase made of pietra serena, a local Florentine stone, with a hand wrought iron railing. The stairs are low and manageable with a large landing at each level.
The architect who restored this apartment cleaned through several layers of paint and grime to reveal the original ceiling frescoes in the living room and applied paints to the rest of the house accordingly. Faux finishes on the walls complement the Florentine colors of the frescoes on the airy, high ceilings of the living room.
The apartment has beautiful parquet floors. There is a hand-painted, built-in in the corner of the living room with its matching console. An ancient hand-carved marble sink found in the building serves as a sink in the kitchen striking a distinct contrast to the gleaming white Carrara marble countertop. Some ceiling light fixtures feature Venetian Murano glass or other locally blown glass.
The bedroom lamps were custom-made by local Florentine artisans in the Renaissance tradition. The antique doors to every room are restored and curiously stand on their hinges in the manner of many doors of 'old' buildings in the area such as Cibreo's (a nearby restaurant), for example. The apartment is decorated with a few antique pieces.
The bedrooms are spacious and sunlit with suite bathrooms. The master bathroom has a bathtub with towel warmer. Both bathrooms have bidets and there is a powder room as well.
The heavy walnut dining room table can easily seat six persons. There are table linens, placemats, and table protectors for it.
In the kitchen you will find everything you need to create a gourmet meal, (including all the basic staples), if that is what you like to do. There are even cookbooks in case you really want to experiment with some of the great ingredients you will find in the Sant'Ambrogio market just around the corner from the house.
The neighborhood is colorful, full of great restaurants such as the famous Cibreo, as well as a produce, dairy and meat market,(Sant'Ambrogio) and antique and artisan shops. It is minutes away from everything. After you're done sightseeing, arrange dinner reservations at Enoteca Pinchiorri, said to be one of the top 10 restaurants in the world, on the same street as the apartment, 5 minutes away.
Finally, walk 'home' to a hot bath to rest your tired feet and slip into the bathrobes provided before sliding into crisp pressed linens for the night.
Vacation Rental Features
- Amenities
- Washer
- Linens Provided : Fluffy towels, bathrobes, pressed linens for your comfort
- Off Street Parking : There is an underground (pay) parking garage nearby.
- Beds
- Queen Bed (2)
- Entertainment
- Cable/Satellite TV
- CD Player
- Music Library : IPod connection available for online music
- Kitchen
- Full Kitchen
- Cooking Utensils Provided
- Refrigerator
- Dishwasher
- Communications
- Telephone : Long distance calls can be made on this with a calling card.
- Cell Phone : Guest must purchase his own credit if he wishes to use the cell phone.
- WiFi (Wireless Internet)
- Other Amenities
- Cell Phone, landline, wireless and/or broadband internet access (bring your own laptop), including plush down comforters in the cool months
- Suitability
- No Pets Allowed
- Not Suitable for Children : Small infants allowed as well as very well-behaved children 10 years or older
- Smoking Not Allowed : If you smoke please skip this property.
- Activities
- Shopping
- Biking
- Antiquing
- Live Theatre
- Restaurants
- Cinemas/Movie Theaters
- Museums
- Other Activities
- If you are interested in cooking classes, you will find several excellent cooking schools with exciting classes to offer. Opportunities for classes are not only in Florence but in the surrounding medieval hilltop towns which are close-in to Florence and easily reached by car or train.
Rate Details (In Euros)
All Year Round .. €1475/week .. €275/night (four-night minimum).
Contact us for consideration of discount for a single or double accomodation.
Credit cards only through Paypal. Paypal fee of 2% charged to guest.
To avoid fraud be sure to speak to me in person to finalize any payment.
Note: Until confirmed, rates are subject to change without notice.
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Credit Cards Accepted:
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Map & Owner's Profile
Year Purchased: 2003
Why the Owner Chose Santa Croce
I have always been in love with the city of Florence. There is a magic in the city and its people that is difficult to describe; everyday is a feast for the senses.
The Unique Benefits at this Apartment
In Florence there is no dearth of activities whether it be artistic or simply people watching. Simply taking an afterdinner stroll is always an adventure. But walking to the boisterous food market around the corner from my house is a must; it's hard to start the day without first doing this. There, the grizzled Tuscan farmers sell you the products they grew or gathered themselves, just as it's been done for centuries. In this market you can find even wild asparagus when the season calls for it, or freshly gathered porcini mushrooms.
Lorenzo Ghiberti, who made the doors of the Baptistry was born here and had his foundry here.
In renaissance times this was where Leonardo Da Vinci first began as an apprentice. Right now it is 'Canto alla Mela' a neighborhood 'bar' (coffee shop).
Best place to get local uncorked wines. Great prices
An incredible outdoor/indoor market with the kind of foodstuffs we only dream of in the US. Indoors you can sit and eat (and meet the locals) at Rocco's. You can also shop for the best local cheeses,
An American-style supermarket with very good Italian products of all kinds.
Owner's Map of Santa Croce
I am a Lower School teacher at a private school in Washington DC and spend all my vacations in my home in Italy. Florence is the place I come to relax and enjoy the art, the food, and the people.
Property Photos
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- Your home away from home right in the center of Florence - Florence, Tuscany, Italy Apartment in Santa Croce
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- The ceiling frescoes are the crowning glory of this elegant apartment. - Florence, Tuscany, Italy Apartment in Santa Croce
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- Master bedroom has a queen-size bed in a light-filled room with private bathrm - Florence, Tuscany, Italy Apartment in Santa Croce
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- Guest bedroom with private bathroom
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- Well equiped kitchen
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- Dining area
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- Tub in Master bathroom
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- Living room reading corner
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- The neighborhood 2 blocks from apt: Cibreo, Il Pizzaiuolo, Teatro del Sale
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- Livingroom
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- Piazza dei Ciompi at Christmas, one block from apartment
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- Santa Croce Church with statue of Dante, two blocks from apartment
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- Easter Sunday, Palazzo Vecchio, 10 minute walk from apartment
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- Medieval vaulted ceiling inside entrance of apartment building
Traveler Reviews (42)
Guestbook Comment
Guest: Renee Dole
(Baton Rouge, LA)
Date of Stay: 11/01/07
Review Submitted: 11/01/07
This was my second time this year to be able to stay in Gilda and Fulvio's wonderful apartment. The recent trip was October 8-14 and the weather was wonderful. I think I finally mopped up some of the things I kept missing on previous trips to Italy. We got into the Borghese Gallery in Rome(Bernini is stunning and brought tears to my eyes), the Capitoline Museum(Dying Gaul), the Brancacci Chapel at SM del Carmine in Florence, the Caravaggio's in Rome. Have I been wasting too much time drinking wine in piazzas? I am so in love with your neighborhood. People remembered me from March and we made some new friends at Bacco Nudo wine shop where we became the poster children for recycling.Paolo Carandini's contemporary leather shop on Via de' Macci is wonderful for a unique gift. I love his work and finally bought several of his colorful leather boxes this time for Christmas gifts. We has a great meal Baldovino's. I had eaten there in '98 and loved it. We also loved Cafe Sant' Ambrolio(a couple of streets behind the apartment).They put out great bar food at lunch and in the evening. Good music and a fun atmosphere...no other Americans. I also have a suggestion. I can sleep anywhere and live on a busy street in Baton Rouge, but the others with me this time had a ha time with the street noise. I have a "white noise" thing that makes a whooshing noise that I use when the natives are particularly restless. We ate at "home" 3 nights after we got back from a day trip to Bologna where my friends took and afternoon cooking class and came away with 3 shopping bags of homemade pasta. It is one of my favorite things to be able to come home at night and have a great meal around your wonderful table and to catch up on what we did that day.And it's all the more pleasurable because the kitchen is so well-equiped with beautiful bowls and platters to lay out the feast. I'm just going on and on, but it was a wonderful trip and my favorite part is feeling like part of a neighborhood in Florence. Oh, and the BEST...we went into Caffe Mela one morning and the owner held up the Communist newspaper with Al Gore on the front page at the Nobel Peace Prize winner...what a way to start the day!!! Thanks for the great place and thanks to Donald for the warm welcome, the flowers and the wine. Renee Dole Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Owner response:Renee, Thanks for your comment. And for your input on noise. European cities, especially the historic areas have a certain level of noise that can be somewhat alleviated with your suggestion. While my house is not in the noisiest area of Florence, it by no means compares to the quiet of our American suburbs. Hope to finally get to meet you when you visit DC. Gilda
Recommended for:
Florence holiday
Guest: Eileen
(Auckland)
Date of Stay: 10/30/11
Review Submitted: 11/15/11
The apartment is in a great location, close to main attractions restaurants and markets. Even a bakery across the road!! We were greeted at the apartment upon arrival with fresh fruit and wine. The apartment itself is very comfortable and spacious ! It's really easy to walk everywhere . There is no lift and the apartment is on the 2nd floor so beware. Only problem I had was street noise...never quite got used to it!! Also only one set of linen provided...spare set would be good . Had many memorable walks along the river which is close by. Loved my holiday!
Owner response:Dear Eileen, Thank you for your review. I'm so glad you enjoyed this very Florentine neighborhood. It's an unfortunate fact that most of the historic center of Florence is noisy. Some parts of Florence are even noisier than my neighborhood, in fact. The linens which are provided are a bathtowel, handtowel, and washcloth per person per week and, of course, the pressed sheets. For longer stays, we arrange for our housekeeper to come in each week to change linens. Hope you'll visit again.
Recommended for:Romantic getaway, tourists without a car.
Luxurious and convenient
Guest: Girlwithacurl
(Sydney, Australia)
Date of Stay: 10/20/11
Review Submitted: 11/07/11
We stayed here for 6 nights in October 2011. It felt like a privilege to stay in such a beautifully appointed home. We found everything we needed and made great use of the information provided about local restaurants. The area is very convenient - not the tourist district but close enough to walk to anything we wanted to see. The owner and manager are both very friendly and responsive. Would definitely stay here again if we are able to plan another holiday in Florence.
Owner response:Kirsten, We are delighted that you found your way around so easily and that you felt at home in our apartment. We hope to see you again whenever you return to Florence.
Recommended for:Romantic getaway, tourists without a car, sightseeing, girls getaway, age 55+.
LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION and a plus...
Guest: Cindy
(San Miguel de Allende)
Date of Stay: 08/01/11
Review Submitted: 09/13/11
Waking up to the melodious bells from the Duomo and going to the corner of the street cafe to have the best cappuccino every morning is something I still miss or going to the market (two blocks away) for my Shakerato (a cappuccino first then the Shakerato) and to buy fresh produce, beans still in their envainado, homemade pasta and fresh basil pesto or nut sauce, is a treat I will never forget. Walking through the streets from your house where Da Vinci or Michelangelo once walked or a daily stroll to Ponte Veccio is more than I could have dreamed of doing. The little store where I would fill my empty bottles with a Montepulciano for just a few Euros, is something one gets easily used to. And the locals added to this marvelous experience. Cannot forget the best gelato around the corner, mamma mia the pistacchio! As you know, I'm a B&B owner in Mexico, in a way you go with a critical eye, I have no complaints, in fact, only gratitude. Your place was impeccable, your kitchen well equipped and it was a plus to have the surprise treats that you had for us. The beds are very comfortable and helped recuperate from so much walking... We would take a daily stroll to the Ponte Vecchio and could not miss walking around the Duomo often which bewitched me. You are so close to everything, the Uffizi museum, the Academia, Piazza della Republica, shopping, etc, etc, etc. I would recommend to future guests to stay at least 2 to 3 weeks. There is so much to see, so much to do in Florence, el centro del Renacimiento and towns near by. You cannot miss going Siena, the Chianti region (by bike) to beautiful Venice and Rome of course. People are welcome to enquire about a historian, Antonella Fabriani, that took us around Rome to see the key spots, that was invaluable and not too expensive. Choosing your place in this building which must be over 800 years old was the best decision we made! Grazie mille! Cynthia Kulander Casa Carmen, San Miguel de Allende, Gto. Mexico.
Owner response: Dear Cindy, Thank you so much for your kind comments. It is not hard to become addicted to Florence. It is a pleasure to know that you felt so much at home. I hope to host you and your daughters again soon.
Recommended for:Romantic getaway, tourists without a car, adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers.
History everywhere
Guest: Judy
(West Springfield, MA)
Date of Stay: 09/12/10
Review Submitted: 09/29/10
Hello Gilda, What a coincidence that you e-mailed me today---I have been putting my Italy photos in a book and enjoying my trip all over again. We had a wonderful time in Firenza. We especially liked living among the Florentine people instead of a hotel. Kate and I went to the market many mornings and bought the amazing fresh produce and wonderful fish or meats there. One of the vendors had delicious fresh pasta and cheeses that we bought and loved that night. We had to laugh when the espresso vendor (who flirted with all the women) would put a heart on top of our morning coffee. We also got the knack of getting better prices at the outdoor stores and markets. Our vacation in Firenza was very memorable and I will be telling the stories for years. The view of the city from the tuscan hills took our breath away. The history at the Santa Croce church was awesome. We both bought beautiful brief cases---soft leather. Donald was very helpful. While walking down a street one day we actually ran into him!!! Who would think? We loved the location of your flat and found it very comfortable. You have done a great job with the decor--authentic Italian. By the end of the week I was actually able to climb the 61 steps without loosing my breath! Almost like going to a gym daily!! I'm so glad I found your flat---we loved staying there.
Recommended for:Romantic getaway, tourists without a car, sightseeing, adventure seekers, age 55+.
Guest: Rachel McCarthy
(Burlington, Vermont)
Date of Stay: 01/06/10
Review Submitted: 01/06/10
Our family of four adults spent a week in the apartment over Christmas this year and had a fantastic holiday in Florence. We loved being part of the neighborhood and living in an apartment allowed us to enjoy cooking with the best ingredients from the local market. We only ate in a restaurant once during our stay because our abilty to cook in the apartment was such a wonderful experience. Florence is a magical place and the apartment is just lovely and very well appointed. Gilda, the owner, and Donald, the property Manager, were helpful on all aspects of our stay. We all cannot wait to return to Florence and to this apartment. We would absolutely recommend it to anyone in search of a lovely home away from home in Florence.
Recommended for:
Guest: Lisa and Larry Bryant
(-)
Date of Stay: 11/08/09
Review Submitted: 11/08/09
We recently (October, 2009) spent a wonderful week in Florence. The apartment was ideal for 2 couples. We each had comfortable bedrooms and really enjoyed the the common areas. We felt a part of the neighborhood and especially enjoyed visiting the local market each day to get fresh fruits, cheeses,wine, etc. Everything was within walking distance. The locals were very friendly and helpful. The apartment was lovely and well equipped.The owners were very helpful with pre-trip information. We look forward to a return visit.
Recommended for:
Guestbook Comment
Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 11/01/08
Review Submitted: 11/24/08
We had a wonderful time at this property, sharing it for 1 week with another couple. The apartment is spacious, both common rooms and bedrooms are very well appointed. The location is truly wonderful - we were able to walk to all areas of the historic district of Florence. There are many restaurants as well as take-out, wine shops and groceries a quick walk away. The Leather School at the rear of Santa Croce is a gem! All in all this property was perfect, and we would return any time!
Recommended for:
Guestbook Comment
Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 11/01/08
Review Submitted: 11/19/08
We had the most wonderful week stay in Florence at the apartment of 52 Via Ghibellina. Gilda was especially helpful in every way. We could not have asked for better! The location was excellent and the place was beautiful. We think much better than a hotel! This was my husbands favorite place that we stayed in all Italy. He felt the most comfortable here. Thank you so much for making our Florence trip a memorable experience. Kind Regards, Jennifer and Kevin Hughes
Recommended for:
Guestbook Comment
Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 11/01/08
Review Submitted: 11/12/08
The apt was very nice and clean. It's location has easy access to local sites,airport,train and many restaurants. We were greeted by the property manager on our day of arrival-he assisted us with any questions and concerns we had. The residents of the apt building were very quiet. We felt very secure during our stay. Working with the owners of this vacation rental has been very comfortable and professional.
Recommended for:
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Vacation Rentals by Owner Listing #41088
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