The Hospital of the Innocents in Piazza Santissima Annunziata takes it unusual name from being the refuge for abandoned babies. The hospital was built thanks to a donation of an important merchant from Prato, Francesco Datini. It was the first orphanage which specialized in receiving newborn babies in Europe. Babies read more
Florence, as we know is one of the most famous cities, renowned for its great beauty, culture and art. Pass through the city and you discover a unique environment, the tourists eyes wide open and full of the one-of-a-kind awe that only Florence can convey. Every corner is a marker read more
What does St. Anne have to do with Florence? Most don’t know that St. Anne is the second saint of Florence, after St. John, and is celebrated on July 26, the day the city was liberated from the domination of the Duke of Athens Gualtieri of Brienne in 1343, thanks read more
Livorno’s thriving port was created virtually from nothing; at the end of the 16th century the Medici government granted them the status of “freet port” promoting business and giving the city a giant economic boost. In efforts to populate the newborn city, the “Livornese Laws” (1591-1593) were issued that made read more
The Frescobaldi family is one of the oldest and most important families of Florence, and they have strong ties to the Santo Spirito district; in fact, the historical family palace is in Via Santo Spirito. The family has owned many buildings in the district since the 16th Century; one of read more
Should you be in Florence between April and May you shouldn’t miss out on the spectacular display of hundreds of Irises in a riot of colors inside the Iris Garden at Piazzale Michelangelo. Founded in 1954, in concurrence with an international competition for the best Iris variety, the gardens hold read more
Everyone knows the Pitti Palace; everyone associates the Pitti name to that particular building. But the coat of arms? Do you mean to tell me that the Pitti, one of the most noble and powerful families in Florence, did not have its own coat of arms? In a city where read more
Although the Santa Maria Novella Church is an excellent example of the gothic style, and boasts the oldest facade in Florence, it regretfully isn’t usually considered one of the principal attractions of the city. Not only is it a beautiful church, but inside it houses many masterpieces, including Giotto’s crucifix read more
La Certosa is an impressive castle complex perched on the peak of Monte Acuto (now called Monte Santo) just outside of Galluzzo, a small town on the outskirts of Florence. A working monastery, the walled complex contains the monastery, a study hall or library, the church, and rooms. Certosa came read more
Weather prediction has always been a problem. But many believe that popular wisdom or lore is every bit as accurate as other sources, for example: “Rosso di sera bel tempo si spera….” Or “Red sky at night, good weather hopefully…” The Florentines, whose tradition of popular sayings is renowned for read more