Legends and Secrets of Florence — for adults and children

What to expect

The historical center — from a different angle
We will examine the northern gates of the Baptistery. You will learn what the insects, snails, toads, and snakes depicted on them symbolize. We will find the sculptor's self-portrait and his signature. I will tell you the legend behind the bull's head on the cathedral wall and the lion under the column. Why there is a man's head with a snake wrapped around his neck on the church doors. We will examine interesting panels on the Giotto Bell Tower and decode some scenes.

We will visit the Piazza del Santissima Annunziata, where I will tell you legends about the church and palace, as well as the real story of Maria Magdalena Medici. I will show you a church fresco connected to a Florentine legend. And the children will try to count the bees on the pedestal under the equestrian statue and learn what they symbolize.

We will also peek into small modest churches with their secrets and ancient towers. We will enter the Church of the Holy Trinity, where I will show you a special crucifix and frescoes by Ghirlandaio depicting 15th-century Florence panoramas and Medici portraits. And in the Church of the Holy Apostles, you will hear a story about the three sacred stones.

Florence in detail
You will learn why the Florentine symbol is a red iris on a white shield, why monuments, obelisks, and frescoes often depict goats, turtles, lion heads with a diamond ring in their mouths or images of rings with three peacock feathers. We will discuss why there are so many lions in Florence and why they are called 'marzocchi'.

How two Florentine families became rich and what are their family symbols? Why is the local football team called Viola and what legend precedes it? What special tradition is observed here on Easter? When and why did the civil war in Florence begin and what triggered it? About this and more on our unusual walk.