The patron saint of Fiesole is Saint Romulus, celebrated on 6 July in the cathedral that bears his name. The town stands on a double hill overlooking the valleys of the Arno and the Mugnone, about six kilometres from Florence, and extends over other neighbouring hills, reaching the Arno in the hamlets of Girone, Compiobbi and Anchetta.
It was precisely the growth of Florence's economic and political influence, especially during Lombard rule, that marked Fiesole's progressive decline; a legendary destruction of the town by the Florentines, traditionally dated to 1010, is today seen as implicit evidence of how far Florence's shadow had by then lengthened over the hillside town. Fiesole nonetheless preserves an archaeological heritage of great value: near Piazza Mino lies the entrance to the perfectly preserved Roman theatre, alongside the remains of a necropolis, Roman baths and other late-imperial buildings. The theatre today hosts the summer music and theatre season known as the Estate Fiesolana, with a rich programme of classical music and opera.
