We're looking at an apartment for rent next fall in the San Frediano quarter of Florence. The price is right, but I'm wondering if anyone knows anything about the area in terms of safety and noise. We haven't spent very much time in Florence and don't know the neighborhoods.
The apartment is Carducci, and it's on Italianstay.com. Thanks for any help!
I've stayed in the San Frediano area several times, and love it. Generally, the area is quieter than, say, staying around the Duomo.
I checked the link you gave, but can't get a real feel for the apartment you are describing. For example, where is the bed they show in one of the pictures? Also, it would be nice to know more precisely where the apartment is. It could be on a busy street, or a quiet one.
San Frediano was once quite characteristic a place, home to the craziest people in Florence (and Florence has always had a good share of crazy people). Suffice to say that the SF parish priest used to skate in his church in off hours and during the 1966 flooding he addressed very roughly the saint's statue sternly asking for a miracle (actually, the church was not damaged). This character is slowly getting lost - now it may be found mainly in older people - but the place has a different flair than other Florence quarters.
itarchivarius, we love "characters," and other forms of local color, as long as it's relatively safe when you take normal precautions. Thanks for the description; now I am intrigued.
And Marian, you bring up good points. Our three main considerations are air conditioning, a terrace or balcony, and internet connection (we've never achieved the third). We've stayed in from the most modest to the fairly elaborate, and have found that we're happy if we have at least the first two items. I will be checking Colleen's sister's notes, and for other apartments in the area.
Hi Cyndy, I always stay in a hotel in that area when I am in Florence. I love it's quiet and it's proximity to central Florence, at the same time. Good choice, if you ask me.....ciao Cheryl
My grandfather was an artisan, living and working in the nearby Santo Spirito area. At his time, San Frediano and Santo Spirito were home to the celebrated Florentine artisans and craftsmen.
When I was a kid and stayed there by the night, I remember waking up to the sound of sawmills and smelling in the air wood dust and painting. Today most artisan workshops have closed - to have an hint of what was once the quarter you should have a look to the old Castorina shop in via S. Spirito, selling both small pieces of forniture and all the wood pieces needed to assemble them (as my father says, you could buy a table from IKEA and wooden ornaments from Castorina to transform it in a baroque table).
The old artisan workshops have given way to tourist facilities like B&B and small eating places. Some alleys that 30 years ago were very popular in character are now becoming (sort of) elegant. The original character is almost lost, probably will be totally lost ten years from now.
When renting in this area, remember that almost all the homes are several centuries old, often built in several installments, so they often have narrow stairs, strange room forms and absurd shapes.
But the artisan shops still exist, stuck in various little streets.
And sometimes juxtapositions are odd. Last year I was staying in an apartment in a renovated palazzo at the corner of via de Leone and the via d'Orto. Elevator, and the hip new Bar OiO on the ground floor. Right next door is a youngish guy who handcrafts violins.
I recently made a reservation to stay 2 weeks at Residenza Carmine in the area. The last time I was in Florence, 5 years ago, I liked this area around Santo Spirito and Carmine. (although we stayed in Piazza Signoria.) My daughter is currently studying in Florence and her teacher, who is a born and bred Florentine, told her not to go to Piazza Santo Spirito after dark unless she wants to buy drugs. So, maybe there are two aspects to this neighborhood.
Posts: 72 | Location: New York | Registered: 26 January 2005
I lived in the San Frediano Qtr... way back when. It was fabulous. My room looked right out onto Borgo San Frediano - beautiful! The little, local groceries and restaurants are great, and the folks who lived there were always very friendly. And you're still well within walking distance to all of the historic center just across the river.
Lately it occurs to me what a long, strange trip its been
My daughter is currently studying in Florence and her teacher, who is a born and bred Florentine, told her not to go to Piazza Santo Spirito after dark unless she wants to buy drugs.
Leaving aside the question of whether or not your daughter's teacher is correct, Piazza Santo Spirito is only one piazza in a rather large area of Florence. And even there, several rather nice restaurants are open every evening in the very same piazza.
At any rate, I hope you enjoy your stay at the Residenza Il Carmine. I just returned from a week there myself.
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