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Empoli

Coordinates: 43°43′N 10°57′E / 43.717°N 10.950°E / 43.717; 10.950
From Simple English Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Empoli
Comune di Empoli
Piazza Farinata degli Uberti
Piazza Farinata degli Uberti
Flag of Empoli
Coat of arms of Empoli
Location of Empoli
Map
Empoli is located in Italy
Empoli
Empoli
Location of Empoli in Italy
Empoli is located in Tuscany
Empoli
Empoli
Empoli (Tuscany)
Coordinates: 43°43′N 10°57′E / 43.717°N 10.950°E / 43.717; 10.950
CountryItaly
RegionTuscany
Metropolitan cityFlorence (FI)
FrazioniAvane, Casenuove, Corniola, Cortenuova, Fontanella, Marcignana, Monterappoli, Pagnana, Ponte a Elsa, Pontorme, Pozzale, Sant'Andrea, Serravalle, Villanova
Government
 • MayorBrenda Barnini (since 26 May 2014)
Area
 • Total62.28 km2 (24.05 sq mi)
Elevation
28 m (92 ft)
Population
 (30 November 2014)[2]
 • Total48,004
 • Density770/km2 (2,000/sq mi)
DemonymEmpolesi
Time zoneUTC+1 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal code
50053
Dialing code0571
Patron saintSt. Andrew
Saint dayNovember 30
WebsiteOfficial website

Empoli is a town in Tuscany, Italy, about 30 km southwest of Florence. It is 30 m above sea-level, to the south of the Arno. The plain of the town has been usable for agriculture since Roman times. Empoli is on the main railway line from Florence to Pisa and is well joined with the city of Siena.

The Collegiata di Sant'Andrea.

Empoli has a long tradition as an agricultural centre. It has given its name to a local kind of artichoke.

Empoli was already settled in the time of the early Roman Empire, and still existed in the 4th century AD. The river near the city was a good route for the trade of agricultural products, together with the local amphorae. Since the 8th century Empoli grew as a town around the castle, known as Emporium or Empolis. In 1119 it was controlled by Guidi. In 1182, it went under Florentine rule. In 1260, after the Battle of Montaperti, Empoli was the seat of a famous council in which Farinata degli Uberti opposed the destruction of Florence. Later Empoli became an important fortress.

Important places and monuments

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  • The Piazza Farinata degli Uberti, also known as Piazza dei Leoni ("Lions Square"), in the middle there is a fountain by Luigi Pampaloni (1827). Here lies the Collegiata di Sant'Andrea, the main city's monument.
  • The Palazzo Ghibellino is the former palace of the Guidi counts. It was probably built in the 11th century.
  • The Palazzo Pretorio was the Town Hall in the Middle Ages.

In the frazione of Pontorme is the house of the painter Pontormo.

Important people from Empoli

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Empoli's main football team is Empoli F.C., which is currently playing in Serie B.

Twin cities

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References

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  1. "Superficie di Comuni Province e Regioni italiane al 9 ottobre 2011" (in Italian). Italian National Institute of Statistics. Retrieved 16 March 2019.
  2. "Popolazione residente al 1° gennaio" (in Italian). Italian National Institute of Statistics.