Empoli is a town in Tuscany, Italy, about 30 km southwest of Florence. The town is situated 30 m above sea-level, to the south of the Arno River.

It lies in a plain formed by the Arno River, which dried out in the Roman age. Empoli is on the main railway line from Florence to Pisa, and is the point of divergence of a line to Siena.
Empoli has an enduring tradition as an agricultural centre. It is an industrial town, specializing in textiles and glass manufacturing.

Archaeological finds have revealed that Empoli was already settled in the early Roman Empire times, and continued to exist until 4th century AD. The river acted as a communication way for the trade of agricultural products.

Since the 8th century Empoli consolidated as a town around the castle, known as Emporium or Empolis.

In 1119 it was absorbed into the Guidi counts possessions. 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 to the destruction of Florence.

Later Empoli became an important fortress, and was therefore repeatedly sacked. In 1530 its fall marked the end of the independence of the Florentine Republic.

Places to visit in Empoli:

The Piazza Farinata degli Uberti

Also known as Piazza dei Leoni or Lions Square. Empoli’s arcaded main square is surrounded by a number of 12th-century buildings, notably the church of Saint Andrea, with its black and white marble facade.
It houses noteworthy artworks including paintings by Francesco Botticini, terracotta by Luca della Robbia, an altarpiece (1785) by Zanobi del Rosso and a triptych by Lorenzo di Bicci portraying the Madonna in Throne with Saints.

Fountain

The large fountain dating to 1827, with water nymphs, and lions, is by Luigi Pampaloni.

Museo della Collegiata di Sant Andrea

The museum contains a collection of Renaissance paintings and sculpture. Of particular interest are Masolino’s Pieta fresco (1425) and a marble font by Rossellino, dating to 1447.

The Palazzo Ghibellino

The former palace of the Guidi counts. It was probably erected in the 11th century. In 1260 it was the seat of the Ghibelline parliament where the fate of the Florence's Guelphs was decided. In the 16th century the palace was restored, leaving little of the original structure, though.

The Palazzo Pretorio

It was the Town Hall in the middle ages. Currently it houses several activities, including an auditorium.

The church of Santo Stefano

Visitor can see fresco fragments by Masolino, dating to 1424, and two 15th-century Annunciation statues by Rossellino. Bicci di Lorenzo`s painting, St. Nicholas of Tolentino (1445), in the second chapel on the north side, shows Empoli as it was in the 15th century.

For more information visit

• Comune Empoli