Undoubtedly, Florence's glorious past hinged upon its strategic location in Central Italy. The Arno River, which divides the city, served as a trade route for importing and exporting goods throughout Europe.

The centro, the city center, reveals Florence's origins as the Roman settlement of Florentia, founded in 59 B.C., with its clearly defined north-south/east-west grid of streets. Although the Roman walls no longer exist, their rectangular outline can still be easily traced on a city map.

Remnants of Florence's medieval walls

Via Cerretani, the street that leads into Piazza del Duomo, corresponds to the northern wall; Via Proconsolo was the eastern boundary; near the Arno, Borgo Santissimi Apostoli was the border to the south; and the chic shopping street of Via Tornabuoni follows the western wall.

The barbarian invasions of late antiquity (5th to 9th century A.D.), and the chaotic period of the Middle Ages which followed, left their traces on the city as well. The narrow, winding medieval streets in the heart of the historic center are some of the most picturesque that you will discover in Florence: Borgo San Jacopo, Via Toscanella, Via dello Sprone, Via della Spada, and Via delle Belle Donne.

The ancient walls that served to protect Florence impeded urban expansion outside of the centro storico (historic city center). New walls were constructed three times over the centuries. Today, fragments of the medieval walls exist; some of which are visible near the southern end of the city. You can trace a ring on a map following the approximate location where the walls once stood. This ring today corresponds to the modern viali, or boulevards, that encircle the city.

Several of the old city gates, resembling large medieval watchtowers, were left standing when the viali were constructed. To the north, Porta San Gallo in Piazza Libertà; to the west, Porta della Croce in Piazza Beccaria; to the southwest Porta San Niccolò; at the southern tip of the city, Porta Romana; and to the east, Porta San Frediano and Porta al Prato.