at the foot of the Apennine Mountains, stands idyllic Florence.

便可來到亞平寧山腳下，造訪如詩如畫的佛羅倫斯。

This flourishing Mediterranean city full of historic buildings

這座處處林立歷史悠久建築的繁華地中海城市，

is one of the highlights of a trip to Europe.

是到歐洲旅行必訪的重點城市之一。

Welcome to the city of Dante, Machiavelli and Michelangelo

歡迎來到但丁、馬基維利和米開朗基羅之都，

and the place where Leonardo da Vinci learned how to paint.

以及達文西學成繪畫之地。

Welcome to "Firenze"!

歡迎光臨「翡冷翠」！

Florence's written history dates back to 59 B.C.,

佛羅倫斯的文字記載最早可追溯至西元前 59 年，

when Julius Caesar set up camp on the banks of the Arno river.

記錄凱薩大帝在阿諾河岸紮營駐軍。

Explore the compact Centro Storica,

古城區建於早期的羅馬地基上，

which was built on early Roman foundations and shop

您可盡情探索這個小而美的區域，

for leather sandals and handbags.

選購皮革涼鞋和手提包。

For good luck, put a coin on the snout of "Il Porcellino".

如果想祈求好運，在小豬Il Porcellino嘴裡放枚硬幣，

Even though it is just a replica, it might just work!

雖然這只是個複製品，應該還是會靈驗！

More than 1,400 years after the first Roman settlement,

經過羅馬人統治後 1,400 多年，

the church and wealthy merchant families ruled Florence.

教會和富裕的商人家族掌管了佛羅倫斯。

The Medici family were responsible for the greatest buildings

麥迪奇家族創造了最偉大的建築

and most elaborate art.

和最精美的藝術品，

They handpicked master painters, architects and sculptors

他們親自挑選了大師級畫家、建築師和雕塑家，

and created one of the most cultural cities in Europe.

打造出全歐洲文化氣息最濃厚的城市。

An example of their efforts is the Basilica di San Lorenzo.

聖羅倫佐教堂就是他們的其中一個成就。

Designed by Filippo Brunelleschi,

教堂由布魯涅內斯基設計，

this is a prime example of Italian Renaissance architecture.

是義大利文藝復興建築的經典代表。

He also built the dome of the 750-year-old

座落於主教座堂廣場上，具 750 年歷史的

Santa Maria del Fiore cathedral on the Piazza del Duomo.

聖母百花大教堂，也是由他設計打造。

Lovers of religious art won't want to miss the Uffizi Gallery

熱愛宗教藝術的旅客千萬別錯過烏菲茲美術館，

that spans the long city block

整座美術館區橫越

between the Palazzo Vecchio and the Arno River.

舊宮和阿諾河之間的狹長街區，

Even outdoors there are sculptures everywhere you look:

即便在戶外也有許多賞心悅目的雕塑品：

On the churches, the fountains and the piazzas.

從教堂、噴泉到廣場上。

The larger-than-life statue of king David, by Michelangelo,

米開朗基羅的名作，大於真人尺寸的大衛像

is among the most famous sculptures in the world.

是世界上最有名的雕刻作品之一。

This version on the Piazza della Signora is just a replica:

領主廣場上站立的這個版本只是複製品，

The original marble David is kept safe

原版大理石大衛像安然保存在

in the Gallery of The Academy north of the piazza.

廣場北邊的學院美術館中。

Cross the 400-year-old Ponte Vecchio.

穿越擁有 400 年歷史的老橋，

which was spared from World War II bombardments because of its charm.

多虧這座橋的迷人魅力，使它得以免受二次世界大戰的砲火攻擊。

On the other side of the river stands Palazzo Pitti.

河的另一端佇立著彼提宮，

As one of the old residences of the Medici family,

這裡曾是麥迪奇家族以前的住所，

it houses some of their heirlooms in its expansive public galleries.

裡面寬闊的公開展示廳收藏著他們一部分的傳家之寶。

Florence is one of those destinations

佛羅倫斯的迷人魔力

where you find yourself constantly pointing your camera

讓人不自覺地拿起相機，

at yet another magnificent building.

對準一棟又一棟的雄偉建築。

It is easy to imagine why this city

不難想像這座城市為何能

has captured the hearts of so many travelers.

擄獲眾多旅客的心。

When it is time to say "Arrivederci!",

到了說再見的時候，

remember to look back over the river one more time

別忘了回頭再看一眼這條孕育了文藝復興的

at the cradle of the Renaissance.

偉大河流。