If you’ve been away for the summer, you might be wondering what’s been happening in Florence. Here are some news flashes to get you up to date.
A bylaw against short-term rentals
Overtourism continues to be the word on everyone’s lips after a summer of protesting in Spanish hotspots and graffiti appearing around Florence. In June 2023, Florence took steps to introduce a bylaw that would prohibit the short-term rental of residential real estate for tourism purposes. The regulation never actually entered into effect due to the number of appeals lodged by property owners with the regional court and the council’s failure to include the measure in the city’s operational plan. In July, as one of her first initiatives as mayor, Sara Funaro reinstated the bylaw, reinserting the regulation directly in the plan. The council states that the end goal is to encourage residents to return to the city centre and to block short-term tourism rentals that distort the identity of the historic centre.
Health helpline
The new free Europe-wide 116117 helpline for non-urgent health needs will be introduced in the Florence, Prato and Pistoia provinces on September 16. On October 21, the service will be extended to the provinces of Arezzo, Grosseto and Siena and then in the Livorno, Lucca, Massa Carrara and Pisa area on November 18.
The assistance will grow to include multiple languages to meet the healthcare needs of those living in Tuscany as well as tourists as the region strives to relieve the pressure on emergency rooms. For emergencies, 112 remains the phone number to call. In other health news, starting on September 15, psychologists will become available on a trial basis through the public healthcare service in Tuscany. Working alongside GPs and pediatricians in eight health centres (Le Piagge and Morgagni (Florence); Dallapiccola (Florence); Querceta (near Lucca); San Giovanni Valdarno; Fontebecci (Siena); and Orbetello, the service is aimed at addressing mental health needs at an early stage in order to prevent chronic and acute illness.
Seats at the station
If you arrive early or experience a delay at Santa Maria Novella train station, you might be able to find a place to sit. Eighty seats have been installed in the capacious entrance hall, next to the ticket offices. Covered in natural walnut-stained oak, the seats fit the vintage vibe while being 100 per cent recyclable and having a sturdy aluminum alloy structure. “The operation is part of an initiative that the FS Group has been carrying out for some time to enhance the services offered to those who choose to travel by train,” explain the Italian State Railways. Santa Maria Novella is transited by about 400 trains and 160,000 people every day, totalling 59 million travellers a year. 80 seats are not enough for everyone, but they are definitely a welcome addition.
Luxury real estate
As the search for affordable accommodation continues for many this September, it comes as no surprise to learn that Florence has some of the most luxurious property in Italy, second only to Lucca. According to a recent report by real estate company Idealista.it, almost 1,300 properties in the Tuscan city are worth over one million euro and nearly 230 properties are worth over three million. The cost per square metre continues to be pushed up by growing investments in the city by sovereign wealth funds and international groups.
Saving Sammezzano
Once seen, never forgotten, except by its former owners: Sammezzano Castle in the Tuscan countryside near The Mall, Leccio, was once the dream destination for weddings. Built in 1853 by Ferdinando Panciatichi Ximenes d’Aragona as a kaleidoscope of world cultures, the castle has been closed to the public since the Nineties (except for the occasional opening overseen by a local committee) when it was purchased by an Italian-British company whose plans to turn it into a luxury hotel were never realized. Now, Florentine family Moretti (Smz srl, Klab, House of Nine) is close to purchasing the unique real estate in a deal that
is said to have been months in the making. The prospective owners wish to open up the castle to the public and set up a foundation, while part of the deal includes an immediate and urgent four-million euro investment by creditors to secure the castle and tidy up the grounds.
Aliens in the Arno
Non-native species alternanthera philoxeroides has been discovered in the Arno. Incorrectly referred to as algae or alligator grass, the aquatic plant originates in Florida and it is not known how it could have arrived
in Florence. The river is already struggling this summer due to the high temperatures that lead to lower water levels, a lack of oxygen, the proliferation of algae and increases in nitrogen concentration. “The spread of invasive aquatic plants is particularly present in Tuscany’s riverbeds, where the reclamation consortia often operate beyond their specific competences…The solution cannot be separated from a rethinking of the Italian waterway system, increasing water availability through irrigation innovation and rainfall collection infrastructure,” explains Massimo Gargano, general manager of Anbi. Thanks to a clean up by the river authority, Florence will nevertheless be hosting two trials for the Italian coarse fishing team championship on September 7 and 8.
Florence for conferences
Visitors to Florence are not all here for pasta, panzanella and great art, although these aspects are certainly part of the attraction for conference tourism. 2023 saw 807,000 delegates come to Florence, a 15 per cent increase compared to 2022. According to a study conducted by the Italian Observatory of Congresses and Events (OICE), promoted by Fondazione Destination Florence, in 2023 11,697 events were held in the 190 venues analyzed. Overall, the economic impact on Florence of the congresses acquired in 2023 alone is over 30 million euro. Fourteen high-profile international congresses will take place between 2024 and 2028. Just over 80% of the conferences take place at Firenze Fiera, but Teatro del Maggio Musicale Fiorentino, the city’s opera house, is also gaining traction as a venue for corporate events. (Last year, it hosted 12 conventions and four conferences, hosting for 22,000 delegates.)
