Florence, known throughout the world as the "beautiful" city, is the home of the Grand Duke and the Royal family, who reside in the magnificent Pitti Palace, named after Luca Pitti, the wealthy citizen who had it built. Florence is situated not far from the Appenines, in a fertile and flourishing plain surrounded by pleasant hills dotted with villas and castles, placed on the banks of the River Arno, which divides the city into two equal parts. Four bridges cross the river.
It is a city which bustles with industry and craft, commerce and culture, art and science. Being on the main national railway lines, it is easily accessible from most important places both in Italy and abroad. San Giusto airport (Pisa), where both national and international airlines stop, is about 80 kms. away. The Main Motorway (Autostrada del Sole) connects Florence with Bologna and Milano in the North and Rome and Naples in the South.
The motorway to the sea (Autostrada del Mare) joins it to Prato, Pistoia, Montecatini, Lucca, Pisa and all the resorts on the Tyrrhenian sea. There is also the Superstrada (a dual-carriageway) which connects Florence to Siena.