Copyright © Editori dell'Acero

Sesto Fiorentino (ZIP code 50019) is 9,8 kilometers far from Firenze, that is the Chief Town of the homonymous province to whom the municipality belongs.

Sesto Fiorentino has a population of 45.748 inhabitants (Sestesi) and a surface of 49,04 square kilometers thus showing a population density of 932,87 inhabitants per square kilometer. It rises 55 metres above the sea level.

The City Hall is located in Piazza Vittorio Veneto 1, phone ++39 055 - 44961, fax ++39 055 - 4496224: the E-Mail address is urp@comune-sesto.fiorentino.it.

Population: The municipality of Sesto Fiorentino had a popolation of 47.406 inhabitants accordingly to the results of the national census made in 1991. After the national census made in 2001 the population was 45.748 inhabitants, thus showing during the years 1991 - 2001 a percentual variation of -3,50% inhabitants.

The inhabitants are distributed in 17.612 families with an average of 2,60 people per family.

The place: The territory of the municipality lies between 31 and 921 metres above sea level.

The altimetric spawn is thus of 890 metres.

Work and workers:There are 1.546 industrial firms employing 9.439 people that are the 46,09% of the total of the workers. There are 1.298 service firms employing 5.280 people that are the 25,78% of the total of the workers. There are also 1.173 firms employing 4.086 people that are the 19,95% of the total of the workers. There are also 199 administrative offices emplying 1.676 workers that are the 8,18% of the total of the workers.

There is a total of 20.481 workers, that are the 44,77% of the inhabitants of the municipality.

Sesto Fiorentino rises between the Florentine plane and the Morello mountain.

The economy of the town is mainly based on the agricultural and industrial activities. The town is also famous for its artistic pottery and porcelain production.

The place name comes from the Latin phrase "ad sextum lapidem" that literally means "near the sixth milestone" referring to the distance from Florence.

According to some archaeological data the first settlements in the area of Sesto Fiorentino go back to the Etruscan Age but the town developed largely during the Roman Age along the "Via Cassia" marked by the Romans.

During the Roman Age rose the first urban settlements in the area of Sesto Fiorentino and in the same period were made great building works and a first aqueduct was also erected. Were also started the first works for the reclamation of the territory that later allowed the rural cultivation that gave a great impulse to the economy of Sesto Fiorentino.

Copyright © Editori dell'Acero

During those same years were built the first religious buildings like the Saint Martin Parish and around it developed the urban centre.

During the Feudal Age Sesto Fiorentino became a feudal property of the Florentine Bishops, who subdued population to a heavy taxation that caused several rebellions ended in 1260 with the excommunication of Sesto Fiorentino and the passing of the power to a Podestà.

Once entered the Florentine Republic, Sesto Fiorentino shared its history with it during the next centuries.

The town suffered the absence of a own ring of walls and so was exposed to the invasions by mercenaries troops and stranger soldiers.

During the sixteenth century Sesto Fiorentino was destroyed by some German mercenaries in spite of the valiant opposition of the population.

At the end of the sixteenth century the Florentine Republic started several works for the reclamation of the territory in order to fight against the growing of the marshy phenomenon. Several noble villas were also built. In that period were also built the first hospitals and inns. Owing to the Florentine restoring the rural lands were cultivated with vines and olive-trees.

During the eighteenth century the population took up some artisan activities and in 1737 was opened the first manufacturing industry by Carlo Ginori that was called "Manifattura di Doccia" and produced porcelain objects. The quality of that product is well known even today.

At the end of the eighteenth century Sesto Fiorentino was a very populated town and it had a flourishing economy based on agricultural, artisan and trading activities. It was ready to get its own autonomy from the Florentine Republic.

By the Napoleonic invasion occurred on the beginning of the eighteenth century the Podesta was substitute by a Judge of Peace thus marking the end of the Florentine influence and the autonoumous development of Sesto Fiorentino.

Copyright © Editori dell'Acero

In 1861 Sesto Fiorentino was added to the Reign of Italy by the King Vittorio Emanuele II of Savoia.

Among the most interesting monuments to see in Sesto Fiorentino we point out here the Pieve di San Martino (Saint Martin Parish), the Chiesa di Santa Maria a Quinto (Saint Mary in Quinto Church), the Convento di Santa Lucia (Saint Lucia Convent), the Villa Paolina (Paolina Villa), the Villa Solaria (Solaria Villa) and the Museo delle Porcellane (Museum of the Porcelains).

Among the famous people who were born in Sesto Fiorentino we remind here the poet and writer Mario Luzi (1914-2005).

Among several shows taking place periodically in Sesto Fiorentino we point out here the Fiera della Ceramica (Fair of the Pottery), inheritance of the tradition started on 1737 by Carlo Ginori that today takes place all September long.