Borgo San Lorenzo
Borgo San Lorenzo is located close to the Apennines approximately 30km from the City of Florence. The town itself comes under the Mugello comune of the District of Florence, an area steeped in the history of the Medici Family.
Origins
The Roman community of Anneianum stood in the location of todays Borgo San Lorenzo. Following the departure of the Romans, the villagers renamed their town after the local church of San Lorenzo and the name has remained the same since.
In the 13th Century, Borgo San Lorenzo played an important part in the negotiations between the supporters of the Empire – the Ghibellines – and the supporters of the Pope – the Guelphs. It was at the end of this Century that the town came under the control of Republic of Florence.
As part of the town defences, the Florentine Republic fortified the town and established 4 entrances. Today, parts of two of the arched entrances are still visible – the Porta Fiorentina (Florentine Gate) and the Porta dell'Orologio (Gate of the Watch).
The fortifications helped protect the town through the centuries, including repelling an attack by the French in 1527. The town did suffer some damage during World War II though.
Today in Borgo San Lorenzo
In contrast to many other towns in the region, Borgo San Lorenzo does not solely rely on tourism. Because of its strategic importance close to main roads leading from Florence north, Borgo San Lorenzo has many office based industries to drive its economy.
Essential Borgo San Lorenzo Information
Things to do
The Mugello circuit first held a road race back in 1914 and has regularly held competitions since then.
Now more famous as the home for the Italian Moto GP motorbike race, it is also the track where Ferrari regularly test their Formula 1 race cars.
www.mugellocircuit.it
Shopping
Various shops can be found in Borgo San Lorenzo, both in its old town centre where you will find more traditional shops such as ‘Pasticceria Aurelio’ a traditional bakery that provides a variety of scrumptious local cakes and pastries, and in other areas throughout town. Most shops are open from 9am –1pm and 3.30pm – 8pm except Monday where they are only open in the afternoon between 4pm and 8pm.
Supermarkets
There are different supermarkets in Borgo San Lorenzo, one of the main ones being the COOP situated in Piazza Martin Luther King.
Market
There is a local market in Borgo San Lorenzo every Tuesday morning, together with a specialised shoe market in Viale della Resistenza on Friday morning.
Chemists
You will find a couple of chemists in Borgo San Lorenzo one in Piazza Gramsci and another in Via Div. Part. Garibaldi, 1.
Banks
There are various banks in Borgo San Lorenzo with cash dispensers that accept credit cards
Tourist Information Office
The Tourist Information Office in Borgo San Lorenzo is found in Via in Villa Pecori Giraldi Piazzale Lavacchini - Borgo San Lorenzo.
Click here for further info www.mugellotoscana.it
Borgo San Lorenzo restaurants
Located just on the outskirts of Borgo San Lorenzo, Il Feriolo is a local restaurant well known for its specialised dishes of local mushrooms and truffles (Tuscany’s naturally grown ‘haute cuisine’). Other than picking and preparing its own truffles, this restaurant also prepares many other traditional dishes such as the Florentine beefsteak.
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