Florence in Roman times
In this collection of postcards the famous architect and designer Corinto Corinti, born in Arezzo but florentine by adoption, reconstructed, between 1923 and 1928, the sites of Roman and medieval Florence on the basis of archaeological findings discovered in the city center during the second half of the 19th century as a result of the massive renovation planning for Florence become capital of Italy.
After the demolition of the city walls and of many buildings to make room for new buildings, Roman remains came to light.
That was the starting point for the iconographic reconstruction of Florence in Roman age realized by Corinti.
The 100 “postcards” reproduce views of the city, sometimes not exactly faithful.
Below there are some of those referring to the “Roman period”:
(Click image to enlarge)
The Forum and the Capitol on whose ruins was built, in the Christian era, the church of Santa Maria in the Capitol. The former church at the end of the eighteenth century became a tavern, then destroyed in the nineteenth-century reconstruction
Porta Aquilonem located on the northwest side of the wall
Porta Aquilonem (from the inside) and the Thermal Baths
The Roman theater, its remains are supposed to be under the foundations of the Palazzo Vecchio
In this picture taken from above it is still possible to recognize the structure of the ancient theater
A reconstruction of the ancient Roman road, the actual Via Tosinghi
Roman amphitheater located between Piazza Peruzzi, via dei Benci, via Torta and via Bentaccordi
The map of Florence in the 5th century A.D.
In the next article the “postcards” of the Medieval period.
All 100 postcards and other interesting information can be found in the book of Franco Cesati, Firenze antica, Newton, Rome 2004
Related Articles:
Nelle cartoline di Corinto Corinti: Firenze medievale (prima parte)
Nelle cartoline di Corinto Corinti: Firenze medievale (seconda parte)
Firenze nei pittori della prima metà dell’Ottocento
Firenze nei pittori della seconda metà dell’Ottocento
Firenze nelle opere pittoriche degli autori di tutti i tempi (XVI-XVII secolo)
Firenze nelle opere pittoriche degli autori di tutti i tempi (XIV-XV secolo)
