In 1865, when Florence became capital of the new kingdom of Italy (after centuries as capital of the Grand Duchy of Tuscany), extensive alterations were made to the smallish but extremely beautiful renaissance city. It was at this time that neo-classical palazzo now occupied by the Carolus hotel, was built, between the Dominican convent of San Marco and the Fortezza da Basso, near the Orti di Barbano. Thus it is that the Carolus hotel, located at the edge of the historic city centre and close to the modern ring-road, provides magnificent hospitality in the art-city par excellence, within easy reach of Florence's major monuments and best-known shops. Those who are visiting Florence on business will find the Carolus hotel an ideal base, conveniently close to the Palazzo dei Congressi, the Palazzo delle Esposizioni (inside the Fortezza da Basso), the railway station, and the ring-road giving access to the motorways and the airport. A recent major renovation has provided the Carolus hotel with every modern comfort to satisfy the requirements of its guests. The hotel rooms overlook some of the most celebrated and best-loved churches and monuments in the world, and offer views of the equally famous and beautiful hills of Fiesole. Facilities include air-conditioning, lifts, satellite TV, fridge-bars, direct telephone lines, PC sockets and modems in every room, safes for valuables, internal baggage handling, bar, conference room with video facilities.