Location: Florence, Tuscany, Italy, Europe (20 minutes from Peretola airport) View Map
Accommodations: Apartment, 2 Bedrooms, 2.5 Baths (Sleeps 2-4)
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
- Air Conditioning: Air Conditioning in Master Bedroom only
- 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
- 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
- Smoking Not Allowed: If you smoke please skip this property.
- Activities (on site and nearby)
- Shopping
- Sightseeing
- Restaurants
- Biking
- Antiquing
- Cinemas/Movie Theaters
- Live Theatre
- 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.
Inquire about August discounts!
Note: Until confirmed, rates are subject to change without notice.
Credit Cards Accepted:
Map & Owner's Profile
Year Purchased: 2003
Why the Owner Chose Florence
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 find anywhere else.
The Unique Benefits at this Apartment
There is always some cultural event to attend, but if I don't want to push myself, just taking an afterdinner stroll is always an adventure. But walking to the market around the corner from my house is a must; it's hard to start the day without first doing this.
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).
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 Florence
I am a Lower School teacher at a private school in Washington DC and spend all my vacations in my home in Italy.
Property Photos
- Your home away from home right in the center of Florence - Florence, Tuscany, Italy Apartment in Santa Croce
- The ceiling frescoes are the crowning glory of this elegant apartment. - Florence, Tuscany, Italy Apartment in Santa Croce
- Master bedroom has a queen-size bed in a light-filled room with private bathrm - Florence, Tuscany, Italy Apartment in Santa Croce
- Guest bedroom with private bathroom
- Well equiped kitchen
- Dining area
- Tub in Master bathroom
- Living room reading corner
- The neighborhood 2 blocks from apt: Cibreo, Il Pizzaiuolo, Teatro del Sale
- Livingroom
- Piazza dei Ciompi at Christmas, one block from apartment
- Santa Croce Church with statue of Dante, two blocks from apartment
- Easter Sunday, Palazzo Vecchio, 10 minute walk from apartment
- Medieval vaulted ceiling inside entrance of apartment building
Guest Comments (35)
First (10) of (35). View all comments
Vacation Rentals by Owner Listing #41088
There have been 7574 visitors to this page since the counter was last reset in 2008.
This listing was first published here in 2004.
Date last modified - October 07, 2009
Positive Rating
Lisa and Larry Bryant ,
Positive Rating
, Kanata, Ontario, Canada
Positive Rating
Jennifer and Kevin Hughes , Naperville, IL
Positive Rating
Barbara , Pasco,wa USA
Positive Rating
Anthony Ferruolo , Gilford, NH USA
Positive Rating
The building has a grace that was lovely to return to. My husband had a wonderful 50th birthday; our paris based daughter joined us.. she also loved the apartment, and the 2 bathrooms were a bonus. We dined at the Hotel Santa Croce..just down the street from the apartment. It was the perfect venue for a special celabration. We loved the location and ambience of the apartment, and Donald was punctual, welcoming and lovely. We hope to return to Via Ghibbelina in the future, Again, Many thanks, Julie August 2007
Positive Rating
Phyllis Dadley - Moore ,
Positive Rating
Allison Smith , Austin, Texas
Positive Rating
Matt , Littleton, Colorado
Positive Rating
Renee Dole , Baton Rouge, LA
Homeowner 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