The Isolotto & Legnaia District

The Isolotto & Legnaia District

This district occupies the South-West area of the city, on the left bank of the Arno River, and it's named after the two major agglomerations around the main street of via Pisana.

In the nineteenth century the Isolotto neighbourhood was mainly characterized by numerous industrial settlements (majolica factories and foundries), while during the twentieth century - especially in the fifties, also thanks to the commitment of the Mayor Giorgio La Pira – the area was subject to a wide-ranging urban planning project: an entire social housing district was built on a plan of residential and green spaces, conceived to develop social aggregation.

Greenery and villas

Many are the green areas of this district: the large park of Villa Vogel – named after the Swiss family who lived there in the early twentieth century - is equipped with a playground for children, and the villa itself, built in the thirteenth century by the Capponi family, houses the administration offices for district 4.

Far from the mass tourism destinations, it is possible to admire an amazing view of the city from the hill of Bellosguardo, especially from the square with the same name. Its slopes rise from the Park of Villa Strozzi with its famous Limonaia, venue for important events. Bellosguardo is an enchanting area, dotted with elegant villas, once inhabited by distinguished personalities (Ugo Foscolo, Giuseppe Garibaldi, Henry James). In this area, visitors can see the ancient Church of San Bartolomeo a Monte Oliveto – with important sixteenth century paintings inside - that for many centuries hosted the Annunciation by Leonardo da Vinci, now at the Uffizi Gallery.

Along the Arno River, the Argingrosso Park overlook the Cascine Park with a very well-equipped golf course.

Places of art

Interesting traces of an ancient past are still there, despite the heavy building process started in the fifties. For example, the first church of the Isolotto area, Santa Maria della Querce Church, in via Palazzo dei Diavoli, dates back to the fifteenth century: inside valuable masterpieces are preserved. Then, the Oratory of the Church of Sant'Angelo, in Legnaia district, where a fifteenth century wooden Crucifix was recently discovered and attributed to Donatello.

Connections

This District got great benefits from the inauguration of the first tramway line T1, which connects Scandicci (a bordering municipality) to the historical centre of Florence.

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