How Florence and its American Twin are Bonded by More Than a Love of Sport

On the surface of things, there isn’t much to link the Italian city of Florence and Philadelphia, 4,000 miles away in the United States.

One is famous for being the epicentre of the Renaissance, the birthplace of Donatello, Botticelli and Brunelleschi, while the other is renowned for being the official starting point for the USA following the Declaration of Independence in 1776.

Yet they have been twinned since October 1964 and of all the cities around the world to share this bond with Philly, Florence was the first.

The relationship was established in order to foster cultural exchange, educational partnerships, and mutual appreciation for democratic and civic humanism. Philadelphia has honoured the link with through a commemorative fountain in Sister Cities Park in the heart of the city. 

The fountain includes 10 water spouts representing each of its international sister cities and student exchanges have been ongoing for decades in order to strengthen the bond between the two.

So, what can American students expect when heading across the Atlantic? Well, there is the historic and breathtaking city centre – Piazza del Duomo – home to Brunelleschi’s world famous dome atop the Cathedral of Saint Mary. Beside the cathedral there’s also the Baptistery of San Giovanni and Giotto’s Campanile, which can be climbed but isn’t for the weak-hearted owing to its tight space and 414 steps to the top.

If you love art then this is the place to immerse yourself in, with the Uffizi and Accademia galleries containing masterpieces from Michelangelo, Caravaggio, Da Vinci and Botticelli attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. You can’t spend any time in the city and not see the Statue of David in person.

Make your way up to Piazza Michelangelo across the River Arno in time to enjoy the sunset with hundreds of locals and tourists alike. This is one of the best places in the city to enjoy golden hour due to its elevation and sublime view over Florence. After sunset, make your way back into the city and head to Osteria dall’Oste for some of the best steak – Bistecca alla Fiorentina – Italy has to offer.

Head to one of the city’s many wine windows, a neat little feature since the 16th century. At one time thousands of the windows were in operation. Today around 285 are still visible, while a smaller number still function as places to buy wine. Rock up to a window, order a glass, and chill out with others on the pavement. This can be a good way wind down after a day sightseeing and being in among the hustle and bustle of the congested city centre.

Of course, Florence has a splendid market of its own. Mercato Centrale has been a cornerstone of Florentine life since the end of the 19th century when the city was the capital of the country. A sprawling market covering two floors, here you can buy everything from meat to fish and from pizza slices to coffee to fresh bowls of pasta. It’s a great way to refuel and to spend a couple of hours wandering around the various market stalls.

Philadelphia has a massive Italian community owing to decades of immigration in the 19th and 20th centuries. Moreover, the Italian market on 9th Street is one of the oldest and largest in the country, measuring 10 city blocks.

One thing that really unites the cities is a fanatical love of sport. Philadelphia has an array of sparkling and modern new arenas dotted around the city, including the spectacular Lincoln Financial Field. It’s the home of NFL side the Philadelphia Eagles and is one of the 2026 World Cup host venues. Juventus had the opportunity to sample its magic last year during their win over Wydad AC in the Club World Cup.

Florence is a very different story. The Stadio Artemio Franchi is one of the oldest in the country, constructed in 1931 and remodelled a couple of times since. It is a charming ground that while old, can still create an electric atmosphere.

The ground is in the process of being renovated ahead of Euro 2032, with Italy sharing the tournament with Turkey. Work is laready underwat to give the Curva Fiesole a facelift and once work has finished, the new-and-improved structure should make for a beautiful sight.

The Franchi is home to Fiorentina, one of the most-loved teams in Serie A with a rich history. Despite claiming just one league title in their rollercoaster existence, La Viola have won over the hearts of neutrals across the globe due to their eye-catching purple shirts, a rarity in football.

Moreover, Fiorentina has been home to some of the game’s most iconic footballers over the last 40 years, with the likes of Roberto Baggio, Gabriel Batistuta, Manuel Rui Costa and Luca Toni turning out.

While Philadelphia has Rocky Balboa bloodying noses on his way to victory, Florence is famous for calcio storico, a medieval version of modern calcio that is a rough mix of MMA, rugby and football. This is a sport, played every June for a few weeks, where bloodshed and broken bones are part and parcel of the game. Violence is to be expected.

The link between the two cities remains as strong as ever, over 60 years on from their first official connection as twinned cities. Despite the distance involved, both Florence and Philadelphia share many similarities, from sports to food, and from Hollywood blockbusters to fine art, you’ll never get bored in the ‘City of Brotherly Love’ or the ‘Cradle of the Renaissance’.