Leopardi Apartment - Florence

2 Bedrooms (1 double, 1 twin)

Palazzo Lungarno is situated on the south side of the river Arno. On one side, it overlooks Via de' Bardi, and on the other it enjoys spectacular, if not unique, views over the Ponte Vecchio, the Uffizi Gallery and the Cathedral. The building's original structure dates back to the 15th century, when a myriad of little cobbled roads branched off from the Ponte Vecchio into the Oltrarno, one of the city's most charming and typical quarters.

The Arno's banks were flanked by buildings belonging to wealthy aristocratic families (e.g. the Bardi family) - for this reason their residences were known as palazzi. Palazzo Lungarno was modified until the mid 19th century when an architect called Enrico Poggi was asked to draw up an architectural and landscape plan to turn Florence into a capital city (a role which it maintained for five years, between 1865 and 1870, following Italy's unification in 1860). Poggi wanted to give Florence a look of uniformity and subdued elegance without creating a violent contrast with its Renaissance architecture. He therefore decided to maintain the Renaissance colour palette of cream plaster and grey pietra serena stone, which is visible in so many buildings throughout the city.

Lungarno Torrigiani was included in Poggi's plan and it is easy to see how he drew inspiration from the more ancient buildings on the river's opposite side. The lungarni together with the viali leading up to the Piazzale Michelangelo were meant to be a place where Florentines could enjoy afternoon strolls and socialize in the open air.

Leopardi Apartment Description (77 sq. m. - sleeps 4)

One enters Leopardi apartment, on the 1^st floor of Palazzo Lungarno, through a gracious entry hall furnished with a round wood table, a wood console, and a linen closet whose door has a wonderful painting of a vase of plants. The entry hall opens on to the living room furnished with a three-seats sofa, a comfortable armchair, a television, a console and a table. The living room connects to the master bedroom complete with private bathroom and walk-in closet. Both the living room and the master bedroom share spectacular views of the Arno river.

From the entry-hall one also enters the other side of the apartment overlooking via dei Bardi complete with a bedroom, the kitchen and a bathroom. On the right is the bedroom with two single beds and a small closet. Next door is a bathroom with a bath tub and hand shower. The next room overlooking via de'Bardi is the kitchen with stove, oven, sink, dishwasher and small table with chairs. At one end of the long kitchen is a laundry area with a washing machine and a mini broom closet, while the dryer is situated in a corner at the opposite end, close to the window.