Florence explained to kids

Florence is a city in central Italy, on the Arno River. It is the capital of the Italian region of Tuscany. Florence is one of the most important cities in the history of art and architecture. It is sometimes called the Athens of the Middle Ages. Florence was founded by the Roman Emperor Julius Caesar in 59 BC. It was originally called Florentia. The city became an important center of trade and culture. In the 14th century, Florence was the capital of the Italian state of Tuscany. The city is home to many of the world's most famous artworks. These include Michelangelo's statue of David, Leonardo da Vinci's painting of the Mona Lisa, and Botticelli's painting of The Birth of Venus. Florence is also known for its beautiful buildings. These include the Duomo (cathedral), the Palazzo Vecchio (town hall), and the Ponte Vecchio (old bridge). Florence has a population of about 380,000 people. It is the eighth-largest city in Italy.