What to see and where to eat in Fiesole

Tourist information websites: http://www.fiesoleforyou.it/

Archaeology
The archaeological area encircles the site in which the oldest traces of settlement in Fiesole lie: a Roman Theatre, a temple (part Etruscan, part Roman) and Roman baths. The Civic Archaeological Museum is included in the entrance ticket.

Via Portigiani, 1
Opening hours: Monday to Sunday, 9.30-19.

Church & Convent of St.Francis
The church and convent complex is in a dominating position. The church boasts an “Annunciation” by Raffaellino del Garbo, while the convent houses the Franciscan Missionary Museum, containing an Egyptian and a Chinese collection put together by the missionary fathers to those lands.

Via San Francesco, 13 – www.fratifiesole.it
Opening hours: from Tuesday to Friday 10-12, 15-17; from Saturday to Sunday 15-17

Cathedral of S.Romolo
The cathedral is dedicated to Bishop Romulus, martyr, who founded the church in Fiesole. The cathedral and its chapels house a number of prestigious works such as the frescoes by Cosimo Rosselli, sculptures by Mino da Fiesole and panels by the Ghirlandaio school. Furthermore, the high altar has a splendid polyptych by Bicci di Lorenzo and a canvas by Baccio Maria Bacci.
Piazza Mino

Bandini Museum
Conserved and exhibited inside the Bandini museum is the collection of paintings and pottery of the cleric Angelo Maria Bandini. Bandini was a passionate collector of books and a well read author of numerous publications. He was a member of many academies and was a librarian first at the Marucelliana library and then at the Medicea Laurenziana library of Florence.

Via Dupré, 1
Opening hours: from Friday to Sunday, 10-19.

St. Jacopo’s Chapel
The Chapel of San Jacopo is the ancient oratory of the Bishop’s palace. It was built by Jacopo il Bavaro (1027-1039) in the ambit of a building which was later enlarged, transformed and adjusted several times.

Via S.Francesco, 4
The Chapel of San Jacopo can be visited by appointment. Info and reservations: Tel. 055.5961293

Church & Convent of St. Domenico
The monastery of St. Domenico which stands halfway between Florence and Fiesole was begun in 1406 and completed in 1435 by Bishop Jacopo Altoviti of Fiesole and Giovanni Dominici, both friars from Santa Maria Novella. It was the training ground for Antonino Pierozzi, saint and Archbishop of Florence and Giovanni da Fiesole called Beato Angelico.

Piazza San Domenico, 4

Badia Fiesolana
This was the ancient cathedral of Fiesole. It was dedicated to Saints Peter and Romulus and was the first Episcopalian seat of the Diocese. The Romanic façade, decorated with geometric designs in green and white marble, is similar to the Baptistery in Florence and to San Miniato al Monte.

Via della Badia dei Roccettini, 9
Opening hours: from Monday to Friday, 9-17.00

Where to eat in Fiesole

La Reggia degli Etruschi, Via San Francesco, 18 (Opening hours: 12-15, 19-22)
+39 055 59385 – www.lareggiadeglietruschi.com

Osteria Vinandro, Piazza Mino, 33 (Opening hours: 12-24)
+39 055 59121

Perseus Fiesolano, Piazza Mino, 9/R (Opening hours: 12.30-14.30, 19.30-22.30)
+39 055 59143 – www.casatrattoria.com/ristorante-perseus-fiesolano

Ristorante India, Via Gramsci, 43 (Opening hours: 19.30-23, Tuesday closed)
+39 055 599900 – www.ristoranteindia.it