The City of Florence is proud to host the International Biennial of Contemporary Art for the sixth time from December 1 to December 9 at the Fortrezza da Basso.

Artists from all over the world are expected to participate in this event which gained international recognition and repute when it was recognized by the United Nations. From 2001 the United Nations has accorded International Biennial of Contemporary Art, Florence to be an official partner of its ‘Dialogue between Civilizations.”

This year, 2007, over eight hundred artists representing seventy two countries are expected to participate. Artists from different linguistic, ethnic and traditional backgrounds will congregate at Florence to display some of their finest contemporary art works.

There will be a plethora of diverse and individual styles in different genres including sculpture, painting, installations and mixed media. There will also be scope for digital artists, photographers and graphic artists to showcase the best of their talents.

The International Biennial of Contemporary Art, Florence will conclude by honouring artists selected from the following competing categories: sculpture, painting, photography, graphics and new media. An international jury of about thirty renowned art critics will choose the award winners in each category.

The International Biennial of Contemporary Art, Florence is a major contemporary art event. This year illustrious artists Gilbert and George and Tim Marlow, Art Historian and Exhibitions Director are among the renowned and honoured guests.

If you are an artist or an art lover come December you should be in Florence. The 2007 International Biennial of Contemporary Art, Florence promises to give you a surfeit of art, conferences, meetings, video projections and exhibitions in historic and culturally rich Florence. There is an entrance ticket.

When you visit the Baptistery in Florence you will stop to admire its three bronze doors but did you know that the earliest one the south door was sculpted by Andrea Pisano? This famous Italian was a sculptor and architect of the Gothic period.

Andrea Pisano, also known as Andrea da Pantadera, was born in 1270. He began his career as a pupil of Giovanni Pisano. He became extremely popular after he came under the influence of Giotti. After Giotti, Andrea Pisano became the next Master of Works at the Florence Duomo (Cathedral).

One of his finest works still stands testimony in Florence. It is the exquisite bronze door at the baptistery in Florence. It has a number of quatrefoil panels. Figures of the Virtues are depicted in the lower panels. They include portrayals of Hope and Faith on the left. On the right panels Charity and Humility have been portrayed. Below these you can find Fortitude and Temperance on the left and Justice and Prudence on the right. The other panels depict scenes from the life of St. John the Baptist. Saint John is considered as the patron saint of Florence.

Andrea Pisano also produced many marble sculptures all under the influence of Giotti for Museo dell’Opera dell Duomo, Florence. He carved stone reliefs for the Campanile (Bell Tower) of Santa Maria del Fiore.

He later became Master of Works at the Orvieto Cathedral. He was succeeded by his sons who were also master sculptors and artists. His chief student Andrea di Cione became very famous under the name Orcagna. Andrea died around 1349 leaving behind a legacy of sculptures as well as became renowned for nurturing the talent of his sons and pupils.

Any art and culture lover can spend weeks if not months visiting the approximate six hundred well known and little known art galleries and museums in Florence. If you want to see Michelangelo’s original David and many other masterpieces especially by Botticelli and others you have to visit Academmia Gallery in Florence.

Academy Gallery in Florence is one among the most famous museums and art galleries worldwide. Its’ entire collection is housed in a historic building which has subsequently been enlarged to house the growing collection of sculptures, painting and many art and artifacts including Medici musical instruments.

In 1784 Grand Duke Pietro Leopoldo united all the Florentine artists and many major art works under one roof called the Academy. Thus the Academmia Gallery came into existence.

Academmia Gallery has always exhibited famous artists’ masterpieces. In fact the stunning Primavera by Sandro Bottlicelli was a major attraction till it went to the Uffizi Gallery. However from 1873, when Michelangelo’s original David was shifted from Piazza della Signoria to Academy Gallery it was definitely a coup for the gallery. You can also find the Prisoners and St. Matthew at the gallery.

Through the years Academmia Gallery has been acquiring masterpieces from other galleries and also losing some to the other galleries. Yet it has been maintaining such high standards that you can’t leave Florence without at least one visit.

To do complete justice to the Academy Gallery you have to spend at least the entire day there. I can tell you about a few paintings and sculptures which you should not miss seeing when you visit the Academy Gallery, Florence.

Sandro Bottlicelli rates high on the list. Two of his masterpieces at the Academy Gallery include “Madonna of the Sea and “The Virgin and Child with Two Angels and the Young saint John the Baptist. There are beautiful miniatures depicting St. Francis by Agnolo Gaddi. You can also see Pontormo’s “Daily Life in the Hospital.”

Academy Gallery has masterpieces from the mid thirteenth century to the late sixteenth century. The museum keeps acquiring works and has added a few nineteenth century sculptures including works of Luigi Pampoloni and Lorenzo Bartolini. There are also a few icons from Russia. The museum of musical instruments is also growing and has much to offer.

We would be happy to arrange your visit to any of Florence’s museums if you wish.

It is difficult to describe Gustavino as only a restaurant as it combines very smoothly to become a three in one place. It is a wine shop; it is a lovely restaurant with wine as well being a wine bar.

Gustavino is situated on Via della Condetta, Florence. It is close to Piazza della Signoria. The chef has the reputation of being both creative and innovative so you may be in for a few preferably pleasant surprises.

The ambience at Gustavino is very different as it has glass topped tables and metal chairs. The ambience is very relaxed and contemporary just like the menu. The food is both traditional Tuscan as well as what one may perhaps terms as innovative Tuscan.

In this restaurant there are some excellent starters including various salads and goat cheese. The first courses including ragouts, a variety of home made pasta and potato tortelli. The main course is also quite extensive but the best dishes are the fish ones especially the salmon. Lamb chops, beef fillets and venison (deer) also come highly recommended.

The desserts at Gustavino are simply yummy some of the best ones being chocolate soufflé and cheesecake with various jams. There is also a wide selection of cheeses with fruit.

It goes without saying that the wine list is extensive and excellent. Gustavino boasts of having over 800 wines in its cellars.

Do visit Gustavino restaurant in Florence if you have a sense of adventure and would like to try a combination of tried and tested Tuscan cuisine as well as new innovations. When you visit us we will go out of our way to see that you enjoy Florence as much as we do.

Did you know Lampreys are jawless fishes which may not even be considered as fish? They are similar to eels. They live in coastal and fresh waters. They thrive in Florence and are available in abundance especially in the month of March.

Lampreys have been part of the human diet from centuries. In the Middle Ages they were a favourite food in Europe especially among the upper echelons of society.

Lampreys can be made into various recipes. One of the most popular one is the lamprey pie. It is also used to make stews with a variety of vegetables. It can be steamed or even smoked. Red wine is also used in cooking many other lamprey dishes.

Lampreys taste different from fish. They seem to have a meatier taste and stronger flavour. The flesh is finer than that of eels. Sometimes some recipes also use lamprey’s blood which is considered as a delicacy.

Although Lampreys are a medieval delicacy you can still find them in traditional recipes in the finest of restaurants and the simplest of cafes in Florence especially during the season.