WORDS
VICKY LANE
PHOTO
PIETRO PAOLINI
James Bradburne
When the director general of Florence’s main
cultural centre, the Palazzo Strozzi, needs a break from
the bustle of the city, he heads to Il Salviatino
“
similar to the palazzo strozzi,
and like the city’s
other five-star hotels,
IL SALVIATINO
[
salviatino.
com
]
is one of the first expressions of the city’s
‘
new Renaissance’. In the Renaissance, the noble
families built their villas in the hills surrounding
Florence, especially in Fiesole, because of the fresh
air and the distance from the crowds. This is one of
the things that makes Il Salviatino so exceptional: it
overlooks the city, so you can be close to the
centre, while still feeling you are in the countryside.
“
As I live in Florence, I don’t need to stay the
night at Il Salviatino. However, I often use it for
lunch meetings, as the cuisine is fantastic; and
‘
retreats’ with staff or potential sponsors, as you
feel far from the bustle of the centre
without being more than 20
minutes away. It’s wonderful
how a change of setting
makes an afternoon break
feel longer.
“
Florence and its
surroundings are a
never-ending inspiration.
The city is a treasure house
of Renaissance art and
architecture, and there is also
contemporary culture here, as
well as over 30,000 students, so
Florence has a young feel to it.
“
I love the mix: you walk in a city shaped by
Renaissance architects, but can experience
contemporary art, music and fashion on nearly
every street. I really can’t imagine living in any city
quite as stimulating right now.”
Springtime of the Renaissance: Sculpture and the
Arts in Florence 1400-1460 is at the Palazzo Strozzi
from 23 March to 18 August; palazzostrozzi.org
“
It’s
wonderful
how a change
of setting
makes an
afternoon
break feel
longer”
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