BEYOND FLORENCE: ETRUSCANS, ART AND LANDSCAPE
A Fiesole guided tour through three thousand years of history
A few kilometres from central Florence, Fiesole brings together Etruscan and Roman archaeology, medieval churches, art collections and views that explain the deep relationship between the city and its hills.
YOUR GUIDE TO FIESOLE
Discover Fiesole with Giulia Bacci
The tour is private and personalised around your interests, available time and the age of the participants. We can focus on the archaeological area, create a route through art and spirituality, or explore San Domenico, pietra serena quarries and Monte Ceceri. Duration and tickets depend on the itinerary selected.
THE CLASSIC ITINERARY
Archaeological area, Roman theatre and Civic Museum
Fiesole’s archaeological heart reveals a layered city. The remains of an Etruscan temple, baths and theatre trace the passage from the Etruscan world to Roman rule.
Objects from the excavations in the Civic Archaeological Museum reconstruct daily life, religious practices and changes in the territory. The visit connects walls, artefacts and landscape instead of reducing the site to a list of dates.
Opening hours, tickets and access may change. Before the visit, we check the information published by the Museums of Fiesole.
ART AND SPIRITUALITY
Cathedral, Bandini Museum and San Francesco
Cathedral of San Romolo
Romanesque architecture, the bell tower and the works preserved inside connect the religious identity of Fiesole with the history of its territory.
Bandini Museum
Canon Angiolo Maria Bandini’s collection of paintings, sculpture and glazed terracotta opens a window onto Tuscan art from the Middle Ages to the Renaissance.
San Francesco
The climb to the convent adds the quiet of a spiritual place and one of the best-loved views over Florence.
UNUSUAL FIESOLE
Monte Ceceri, pietra serena quarries and memories of Leonardo
Beyond the monuments, Fiesole offers paths and places linked to pietra serena, the grey stone that shaped so much Florentine architecture.
Monte Ceceri is traditionally associated with Leonardo da Vinci’s studies of flight and with the story of an attempted flight by Tommaso Masini, known as Zoroastro. The sources do not allow this tradition to be presented as documented certainty; the tour distinguishes the fascination of the story from historical evidence.
For more ideas, see the Italian feature Fiesole insolita.
Frequently asked questions
How long does the tour take?
The classic itinerary generally takes about two hours. An extended or nature-based route may take half a day.
Is it suitable for families?
Yes. The theatre, baths, archaeological finds and panorama provide an engaging story for children and teenagers.
How do we get there?
Public transport connects Fiesole with Florence, and the town can also be reached by car or private transfer. Routes and frequency can change, so we check current details for the day of your visit.
Plan your private Fiesole guided tour
Tell me your date, group size and interests. I will design a classic, artistic or unusual itinerary around you.
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