WELCOME! THE APARTMENT
San Niccolò City Walls Garden is a large and bright top-floor of 156 sqm on two levels, with adjoining garden of about 180 sqm, bordering the historic city walls, built in the fourteenth century A.D. and fortified by Michelangelo Buonarroti two centuries later.
In a fourteenth-century building, located in the San Niccolò district, in the historic centre, under Piazzale Michelangelo, the quiet apartment is furnished in a modern style. From the garden, view of Torre San Niccolò and the bell tower of Santa Croce Basilica. There are many services at a step, museums and places of interest!
First floor
- Entrance and sitting room overlooking a private light-well furnished with succulents, a design double sofa bed Lago 178 x 208 cm inspired by the simplicity of the Japanese futon, and service bathroom (no shower).
- Large bedroom, "Seta", furnished with original Ferragamo foulards, air conditioner, overlooking via di San Niccolò, with a spacious king size 200 x 200 cm bed and ensuite bathroom.
- Large living room with 70s Cassina sofas, Focus fireplace, contemporary art paintings, 3 latest generation column fans and a 65-inch Samsung Smart TV 4k; functional and complete kitchen that opens onto the garden.
Upstairs
- Open space bedroom, air conditioner, stone themed bath, two walk-in closets.
- A "reading" mezzanine overlooking the living room, with fashion catalogues, art books and a 24-inch Tv with DVD player and Fire TV Stick, with which you can access through your account (device already inserted in the TV).
In the lower garden roses, wisteria, lemons, orange trees, aromatic plants and a jasmine arbour (in case of rain, the cover sheet is not completely waterproof) under which relax at the foot of the historic city walls, a barbecue “Weber” and a laundry room with Miele washing machine and dryer, both for free (here the charcoal).
In the upper garden two sunbeds to rest in the shade of an age-old walnut tree. There, the irrigation system that, in the hottest months, waters the aforementioned area for half an hour a day. You will find the sunbed cushions in the laundry, where I suggest you put them away after use, so that you can find them dry and clean the following day.
"[The building] presents itself in the rather current forms assumed following an intervention that redesigned the front in the neo-Renaissance style between the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. However, it is a building of much more ancient origins [...], presumably fourteenth-century, as indicated by the large vaulted room on the ground floor [...], and the door with stone lintel which has been brought back to view to frame the current and smaller access. On this, a small wheel with the sign of the Art of Calimala [...]", source Piero Bargellini, Ennio Guarnieri, The streets of Florence, 4 vols., Florence, Bonechi, (hidden).
DESCRIPTION OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD
San Niccolò is a charming district located in the southern part of the Oltrarno.
The Oltrarno is the most authentic part of Florence and mainly concerns four areas beyond - precisely - the Arno compared to the historic "center". They are: San Niccolò, Santo Spirito, San Frediano, Porta Romana. All four areas, close to the walls, where the Florentine people lived. I recommend downloading the Oltrarno app to get a detailed overview of the Oltrarno and what it offers.
With a medieval atmosphere, San Niccolò is known for its narrow winding streets, ancient walls and picturesque buildings.
It extends along the banks of the Arno River, offering a spectacular view of the city. One of its main attractions is the tower of San Niccolò, built around 1324 which dominates the surrounding landscape, the only one that has not been lowered.
San Niccolò is renowned for its restaurants, cafes and nightclubs. The streets are full of life and offer a wide choice of traditional Tuscan and international cuisine. It is a popular place with both tourists and its inhabitants, thanks to an authentic atmosphere and its bohemian spirit.
The neighborhood is also home to numerous art galleries and artisan shops, offering the opportunity to discover local talent and purchase unique works of art.
It is an ideal place to immerse yourself in the history and culture of the city, while enjoying a vibrant social scene.
Founded around the thirteenth century, the district takes its name from the San Niccolò Oltrarno church.
During the Middle Ages, San Niccolò was a thriving district, populated by artisans, merchants and sailors. Its position along the banks of the Arno made it a strategic place for river trade and the transport of goods. The medieval walls and towers that surrounded the neighborhood were an integral part of the city's defense system.
San Niccolò was also an important religious center. The church of San Niccolò, built in the 14th century, was a point of reference for the faithful of the area. The interior of the church houses precious frescoes and Renaissance works of art.
During the following centuries, the neighborhood underwent several transformations. During the Renaissance, many of its buildings were remodeled or demolished to make way for new residences and palaces.
Starting in the 1970s, interest in the conservation of historical heritage and attention to traditional architecture led to a process of restoration and recovery of the ancient streets, houses and medieval walls. This has helped to restore the neighborhood's authenticity and unique character.
San Niccolò is a quiet and safe district, lively and charming where history and tradition blend with contemporary elements, creating a unique experience for those who visit it. It is a strategic point to reach on foot in a few minutes and enjoy the wonders of the city.
In via di San Niccolò, you will have everything at your fingertips. Under the house, on the right, Michele's grocery store with his goodies, "Le bontà di Michele". Here you will find every kind of food: excellent for bread with ancient grains, porchetta and wines.
At 100 meters, with the apartment behind you, on the left, "Forno San Niccolò", where you can have a coffee and enjoy excellent sweets and savory snacks.
Continuing, at the corner with via San Miniato, here is the "Rifrullo", perfect for breakfast and appetizers.
A few meters away, fresh fruit and vegetables from Simone and Barbara, a small shop, full of delicacies, right in front of the church.
In short, a street full of services and if you need a supermarket, a 10-minute walk away, next to Ponte Vecchio, Conad's "Sapori & Dintorni".
And these are just some of the many services just a step away from you!
FURTHER INFORMATION
- Since it is a top-floor without a lift, as per a characteristic old, popular and authentic building, there are 57 steps from the door on the street to the entrance to the apartment; 14 to access the bedroom on the upper floor. The upper part of the garden, reachable by climbing 10 steps, is bordered by a railing as per regulation. However, please pay the utmost attention especially to children!
- Provided on the mezzanine a wall socket for network cable, which can also be connected to the modem located in the living room, if necessary.
- On the mezzanine, you will also find the Alexa device to listen to music or ask her all the curiosities you want about the city of Florence and beyond!
- In the closet in the hall, in addition to the first aid kit, you will find a universal adapter with cables for powering various mobile phones, a cable for connecting the Mac to the two televisions, mains cables, sunscreen, kit to sew, blankets, electric fly swatter, yoga or pilates mat, vacuum cleaner and Spanish-style mop.
- Smoking is permitted only in outdoor spaces.
- Upon request, it is possible to store luggage before check-in and after check-out in the private room on the stairs of the building. Attention: this room could be shared with other guests, so the host does not assume responsibility for any theft or damage to luggage and its contents. Inside, also a comfortable stroller ready to welcome the little ones.
- Be careful not to sit on the arms of the Cassina sofa, as it is an antique.
- When the “Focus” fireplace is lit, be careful not to touch the metal pipe.
- In the stone-themed bathroom on the first floor, be careful not to place heavy objects on the sink top.
- For medium-long stays, please check the shower filter status.
- Autonomous heating, active only in the winter season.
- WiFi, fiber optic: name TIM-(hidden)UYTQJ7EXFYFH.
- Thanks to cell towers, the internet also reaches the garden!
- In addition to the classic oven, a built-in Gaggenau steam oven.
- On request: a desk to add!
- Of the small rooms in the garden, you will have access to the laundry, with soaps and products against insects.
- You won’t have access to the left side of the built-in wardrobe in the small living room (next to the modem).
- The fire extinguisher is located under the stairs.
- In addition to the carbon monoxide detector, there is a gas detector, both near the kitchen area.
- Don’t leave the garbage outside the door on the landing, even temporarily.
- Electrical power availability: 6,6 kW.
- On the table in the living room, the condominium rules to follow.
INSTRUCTIONS
Upon check-in you will be asked to:
- share pictures of the documents that, within 24 hours of your arrival, I will have to forward to the Police Head(hidden) of Florence;
- sign a contract (you will be given a copy in English) even for stays of less than 30 nights (needn't to be deposited);
- pay the tourist tax, up to 7 nights, for ages over 12, 5.5 euros per night, per person.
You will be given no. 1 set of no. 3 keys collected in a padlock (+ no. 1 green badge to open trash bins along the way, where needed):
- no. 1 for front door of the apartment building (to open, turn left);
- no. 1 for apartment door (green handle - thank you for paying the utmost attention: a "special" key, very expensive to have reproduced);
- no. 1 for the selector positioned at the entrance. Once you leave the house, the power will be cut off except for the modem, the kitchen appliances, the laundry room and the low sockets which will remain active for every need. When you go out, before disconnecting the selector, please, make sure that the air conditioners are off (current surges could ruin them). Thanks!
Upon request, you will be given no. 1 key (and one more key of the front door of the apartment building) for the room on the stairs, where you can leave your luggage before check-in and after check-out. Attention: the room could be shared with other guests, so the host does not assume responsibility for any theft or damage to luggage and its contents. After the post check-out, once you have definitively collected your luggage, please leave the keys in the “San Niccolò City Walls Garden” mailbox, on the ground floor of the building.
You will find the remote control for the motorized roof window on the shelf at the entrance to the apartment. You can open the cover, decide whether to operate the curtain or whether to open the window itself (pivot opening).
For the Wi-Fi network (optical fibre), frame the QR code on the paper on the round table: you'll be ready to surf right away!
After check-in, you’ll also receive, via mobile phone messages, some explanatory videos of the main functions of the apartment!
Check-out within 10.00 am: thank you for collecting used towels and turning off all lights. Thanks for throwing the garbage (except for the paper: I will throw it) in the appropriate garbage cans along the road; the nearest ones are located in Piazza Poggi. Please, leave the set of apartment keys on the round table in the living room. If you have used the local luggage storage, once you have definitively collected them, please leave the keys in the “San Niccolò City Walls Garden” mailbox, otherwise leave them with the other set of keys on the table. Many thanks and good journey!
Via di San Niccolò , Florence
Via di San Niccolò, Florence
15000 €
/ month
From 2024-10-16