Empoli
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.
| Comune di Empoli | |
 | |
 Flag  Coat of arms | |
| Country | Italy |
| Region | Tuscany |
| Frazioni | Avane, Casenuove, Corniola, Cortenuova, Fontanella, Marcignana, Monterappoli, Pagnana, Ponte a Elsa, Pontorme, Pozzale, Sant'Andrea, Serravalle, Villanova |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Brenda Barnini (since 26 May 2014) |
| Area | |
| • Total | 62.28 km2 (24.05 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 28 m (92 ft) |
| Population (30 November 2014) | |
| • Total | 48,004 |
| • Density | 770.78/km2 (1,996.30/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC+1 (CET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+2 (CEST) |
| Postal code | 50053 |
| Patron saint | St. Andrew |
| Saint day | November 30 |
| Website | Official website |
Empoli has a long tradition as an agricultural centre. It has given its name to a local kind of artichoke.
History
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
- 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
- Giovanni da Empoli (1483–1518), navigator
- Jacopo Carrucci, better known as Pontormo (1494–1556), painter
- Jacopo da Empoli (1551–1640), painter
- Alessandro Marchetti (1633–1714), mathematician and writer
- Giuseppe del Papa (1648–1735), doctor and philosopher
- Ippolito Neri (1652–1708), doctor and poet
- Renato Fucini (1843–1921), writer
- Giuliano Vanghetti (1861–1940), orthopaedist
- Ferruccio Busoni (1866–1924), musician
- Alberto Castellani (1884–1932), Eastern countries scholar
- Mentore Maggini (1890–1941), astronomer
- Remo Scappini (1908–1994), politician and anti-Fascist militant
- Carlo Rovini (1932–1988), poet and writer
Sport
Empoli's main football team is Empoli F.C., which is currently playing in Serie B.
Twin cities
Empoli Media
Empoli's countryside
Pietà by Masolino da Panicale
