- The Legend of Dante’s Inferno
- The Legend of Florence’s Lily
- The Legend of Florence’s Foundation
- The Legend of the Medici Family
- Perseus with the Head of Medusa
- The Petrified Head on the northern wall of Church Santa Maria Maggiore
- The Mysterious Human Profile
The Legend of Dante’s Inferno
Florence is famously associated with the great poet Dante Alighieri, author of the “Divine Comedy.” According to legend, Dante’s exile from Florence inspired him to write his masterpiece. It’s said that Dante’s soul still wanders the streets of Florence seeking redemption for his sins and longing to return to his beloved city.
The Legend of Florence’s Lily
The emblem of Florence is a red lily on a white field, believed to have originated from the story of the martyrdom of St. Reparata, the city’s patron saint. Legend has it that when Reparata was tortured and beheaded for her Christian faith, a lily miraculously sprang from her neck.
The Legend of Florence’s Foundation
According to legend, Florence was founded by Julius Caesar’s soldiers, who settled there after defeating the Etruscans in 59 BCE. The city’s name is said to come from the Latin word “Florentia,” meaning “flourishing.”
The Legend of the Medici Family
The Medici family, one of the most powerful and influential families in Florence during the Renaissance, has its share of legends. Stories abound of their political intrigue, financial power, and patronage of the arts. One legend suggests that the family’s wealth came from a pact with the devil, while another tells of a curse placed on the family by Pope Leo X, leading to their eventual downfall.
The rise of the Medici family from modest beginnings to becoming one of the most powerful and influential families in Renaissance Italy is often depicted as a story of cunning, intelligence, and strategic maneuvering. Cosimo de’ Medici, in particular, is often portrayed as the mastermind behind the family’s ascent to power.
Cosimo de’ Medici, known as “Cosimo the Elder,” skillfully navigated the political landscape of Florence, forming alliances and using his wealth to gain influence. His establishment of the Medici Bank, which became one of the most successful and powerful financial institutions in Europe, was a key factor in the family’s rise to prominence.
While the Medici men often dominated historical narratives, the women of the family played significant roles behind the scenes. They are portrayed as intelligent, politically astute figures who wielded influence and power.
Catherine de’ Medici, who married Henry II of France and became Queen of France, exerted considerable influence over the French court, particularly during the reigns of her sons, Francis II, Charles IX, and Henry III. She was involved in politics and diplomacy, often acting as a mediator and advisor.
Perseus with the Head of Medusa
Cellini’s Perseus is hiding another work. To discover it, you just have to sit behind the statue and look behind it: at the base of the neck and on the back of the headset the artist has created an impressive optical effect, thanks to which you will seem to see the face of a man. It seems that Benvenuto Cellini wanted to carve a self-portrait right behind Perso.
The Petrified Head on the northern wall of Church Santa Maria Maggiore
Legend has it that this mysterious stone head belongs to a woman who was petrified by an alchemist.
Most probably it belongs to the same funeral complex in which were extracted the sarcophaguses preserved inside the Baptistery.
So look up when passing through Via dei Cerretani.
The Mysterious Human Profile
Look for the mysterious human profile sculpted by Michelangelo, right at the entrance of Palazzo Vecchio.
The mysterious human profile sculpted by Michelangelo, located at the entrance of Palazzo Vecchio in Florence, Italy, is known as the “Non finito” or “The Unfinished One.” This sculpture is a prominent feature of the Palazzo Vecchio’s facade, situated above the main entrance.
The “Non finito” is a remarkable example of Michelangelo’s sculptural technique, characterized by its rough, unfinished appearance. It depicts the face of a man emerging from a block of stone, appearing as though Michelangelo started to carve the figure but left it incomplete.
The exact identity of the figure remains uncertain, contributing to its mysterious allure. Some speculate that it represents a generic human face, while others suggest it could be a portrait of an individual or a symbolic representation.
