The history of the city of Florence dates back to the first century BC. The city was founded by the Romans, who called it Fiorentina, the flowering. Until today one can see the influence of the Romans on the city. The city is built in the typical style of the Romans.

In the early Medieval there was the fall of the Western Roman Empire, which influenced the development of the city. During the Great Migration thousands of Ostrogoths invaded the city and Florence was involved in the Gothic-Byzantine War (541-44 AD). As a result of the war a lot of buildings and streets in the city were destroyed.

In the 11^th century Florence became more and more important in the Tuscany. The city was the center of the world’s attention during the Investiture Controversy, which was the struggle between the pope Victor the Second and Emperor Henry the Third. They were arguing about who has the greater power on earth. In 1115 Florence became a free commune and developed both, trade and industry. In 1125 Florence attacked the rival neighboring state Fiesole and brought it under control. In the 12^th century the city played a more and more important role in trade and industry throughout whole Europe.

During the 16^th Florence became more and more important in the art world, too. Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo and Raphael all left traces of them behind in the city. They not only created great art work which is still said to be changing history, but they also changed the thinking of the people in Florence in that century.

After two wars of independence Florence was named capital of Italy in 1870. The rebuilding of the city started and its importance in the world grew bigger and bigger. In the 19^th century Florence biggest problem was the steadily growing number of inhabitants. The old city did not have enough space for so many people. Therefore the old city wall was torn down and the city expanded. Until World War II the number of people living in Florence more than doubled. Until today the city is said to be one of the most important and worth visiting in Italy.