florentine traditional activities

Discover Florence through its Historical and Traditional Activities

Browse the digital catalog of historic Florentine businesses now on Destination Florence.

Florence is not just monuments and museums to visit. What makes it a unique place, different from any other, are its traditions, its citizens and its historic shops. For this reason, in the EnjoyRespectFirenze campaign, Dante reminds us to choose local craftsmanship for the purposes of sustainable tourism.

Thanks to the digital catalog of Florentine Historical Activities, which you find on Destination Florence, everything is easier! Are you here for Christmas? Find your gift in the historic shops! Tired of the usual attractions? Choose from the itineraries on historical activities! Do you need something and want to contribute to the local economy? In the catalog you can find everything! Pharmacies, jewelers, hotels, wine shops, bookshops, etc.

Browsing the catalog is very simple, you can filter your search both by type and area. You will discover fantastic places, full of atmosphere and history, which carry on often centuries-old traditions. You will be able to say that you have really seen Florence. Here are some examples:

1. SANTA MARIA NOVELLA WORKSHOP

The Officina Profumo-Pharmaceutica of Santa Maria Novella, one of the oldest pharmacies in the world, embodies a centuries-old tradition of excellence and innovation. Officially founded in 1612, its roots date back to the 13th century, when the Dominican friars of Florence began creating healing preparations, such as rose water, prized for its disinfectant and medicinal properties.

Under the guidance of Fra Angiolo Marchissi, a skilled chemist and alchemist, the pharmacy obtained prestige and the title of "His Royal Highness Foundry" from the Grand Duke of Tuscany. Even today, the Officina continues to amaze with the creation of exclusive essences and perfumes, many of which are made according to the ancient Renaissance formulas created for Caterina de' Medici, gaining appreciation all over the world.

2. ANTIQUITIES G. BARTOLOZZI

Since 1887, the Bartolozzi family has passed on the art of antiques with passion and competence, exploring masterpieces from the 15th to the 19th century. Founded by great-grandfather Guido Bartolozzi, the business had its historic headquarters in Via Maggio 18/r, the heart of Florentine antiques, until 2014. The shop, housed in a sixteenth-century building, preserved intact historical details such as the original metal closures wood and a nineteenth-century fir floor. Today the gallery is located at number 11/r of Via Maggio, inside the prestigious Palazzo Michelozzi, purchased by the family in 1922 and still owned by it, confirming a deep bond with tradition and the territory.

3. VIVOLI ICE CREAM SHOP

Vivoli, a true institution in Florence, has been carrying on a historical tradition of passion and authenticity for almost a century. Founded in 1929 by Serafino Vivoli as a dairy in via Isola delle Stinche, it soon became a beloved meeting place to enjoy coffee and whipped cream on Sundays.

In 1932, together with his brother Raffaello, Serafino undertook the production of ice cream, exploiting ingenious methods of preserving ice from Saltino, in the Tuscan-Emilian Apennines. In the 60s and 70s, under the guidance of Piero, Raffaello's son, the Gelateria Vivoli established itself as an iconic meeting point, reported in international tourist guides as an unmissable stop. Even today, Vivoli continues to delight its customers with artisanal ice creams and desserts of its own production, combining tradition and innovation in an experience with an unmistakable taste.

Header photo credits: https://eu.smnovella.com/

Bartolozzi photo credits: https://www.feelflorence.it/

Vivoli photo credits: https://vivoli.it/