THE LIONS IN FLORENCE

 

Everyone knows the famous ‘Florentine Lily’, but did you know that the lion is also a symbol of the city of Florence?

Undoubtedly the most famous is the lion, called ‘Marzocco’, by Donatello whose copy in Piazza della Signoria proudly protects the red lily, coat of arms of Florence.

The image of the lion was chosen by the Florentine Republic, to replace the imperial symbol eagle, to demonstrate its political supremacy.

The ‘symbol was born’ around 1280 when the Florentines wanted to place in Piazza San Giovanni a cage with a real lion to emphasize the independence of Florence.

As luck would have it, one day the beast escaped from its cage, spreading panic through the streets of the city.

He took a child in his flight but, to the utmost amazement, handed it back without a scratch to his mother and then led back, without resistance, into a cage.

From that moment in Florence the lion was guarded as a good fortune.

The Outbreak of the Float

 

Every year in Florence, Easter Sunday is celebrated in a very special way …
Lo Scoppio del Carro (The outbreak of the float), a tradition that was born about 350 years ago.
The event consists of a cart full of fireworks pulled by six white oxen from Porta a Prato to Piazza del Duomo.
During the mass celebrated in the Cathedral, a dove-shaped rocket whizzes from the main altar along a cable to end up on the cart, beginning the explosion of fireworks.
The origins of this festival are to be found in the period of the first crusade, when Pazzino de ‘Pazzi, head of the Florentine contingent returning from the Crusades to Florence, was given the task of keeping the fire of the Holy Saturday lit, a honorary task that he turned into a real party setting up a ceremonial wagon to bring fire around the city.
All his descendants continued to organize the party up to the Pazzi conspiracy of 1478, from which only the city authorities took care of it.

FIORENTINO HISTORICAL FOOTBALL

 

For the old Florentines, June may only mean one thing: Historical football!
As in many cities, even Florence was divided into districts and the historical ones that take part in this typical game are 4: Santa Croce (BLU), Santo Spirito (WHITE), Santa Maria Novella (RED), San giovanni (GREEN).
Piazza Santa Croce has always been the location where the matches are played.

The square is set up as it was when the game began: a dirty and dusty square where there were no stones. Obviously today the stands are arranged so that spectators can enjoy the show in a better way.

Historical football can be defined as a mix between football, rugby and wrestling .. with the players (calcianti) dressed in typical historical clothes.
The teams are made up of 27 players and both hands and feet can be used. The points are scored by pulling the ball to a designated place within the perimeter of the field, with another marked point running along its short sides. There is the main referee, 6 linesman and a field master. Each match lasts 50 minutes and the winning team will be the one with the most points, also called hunts, scored.

The first game is played in one of the first weekends in June, while the final is played on June 24, the day of the patron saint of Florence. The winning team wins a Chianina calf.
On the day of the final, you will see the windows of the districts, along the streets people dressed up with historical costumes and just before the game, a beautiful parade with flag-wavers.
Finally, attending one of these games means entering the true Florentine spirit: play, strength, sweat, speed, enthusiasm!

HERE’S THE “BUCAIOLI”

 

If in Florence you hear a Florentine who turns to another with the nickname “Bucaiolo” (‘buco’ in Italian means ‘hole’, bucaiolo), is nothing but a nice typical expression that means “villain, rascal” ..Treccani (the most important encyclopedia of Italy) gives a definition even more derogatory of the term: sodomite .. but this is not the sense that a Florentine means this name. But, until recently, bucaiolo was nothing more than the nickname of the renaioli (‘rena’ in Italian means ‘sand’, renaioli) that it to say those who took care of the collection of sand along the banks of the river Arno for construction. The renaioli used poles 4/5 meters long to collect sand, going to form holes on the bed of the Arno: from here, the title bucaiolo!

Nowadays, however, taking a trip on the Arno aboard a typical Renaioli boat is a unique and special experience! See Florence from the river is a unique experience that allows you to observe the city from a different point of view than usual!

Even the Florentines are in love with this type of experience, so it will not be unusual to see two spouses on the boat, or groups of friends at sunset who sip an aperitif waiting to take a trip on the boat.Just remember that it is an exclusive tour, so it is advisable to book in advance, otherwise you may not find availability!

EXCURSION ON VESPA

 

 

If in Italy you talk about scooters and motorcycles and you wonder what means can be the most characteristic, the answer is only one: LA VESPA!
It was patented in 1946, it is one of the most famous industrial design products in the world and used several times as a symbol of Italian design.

The origin of the name according to the most famous version was born from an exclamation of Enrico Piaggio who at the sight of the prototype exclaimed: “looks like a wasp!”, due to the sound of the engine and the shapes of the bodywork seen from above they resemble the insect, with the central part very large to accommodate the driver and the narrow “waist”. On the other hand, another version, long survived, according to which the term “Vespa” would be the acronym of  Veicoli Economici Società Per Azioni – Economic Vehicles for Equities – (indeed Piaggio was one of the first joint stock companies in Italy and, at the same time, Vespa was born as a vehicle for everyone, so of primary importance it was a low price, suited to the characteristics of the era). This hypothesis has been denied by the various experts of the vehicle.

Over the years obviously the design of the Vespa has undergone various changes and improvements.
Nowadays, in Florence are offered various trips on the hills of Chianti on board this nice hog: these tours will take you into the heart of the countryside a short distance from the city, where you will sail the gentle Florentine hills surrounded by scenic landscape. Do not worry about driving: the wasps are very easy to drive and if you do not feel safe, you can always travel as passengers!

Definitely an experience not to be missed!

 

DID YOU KNOW THAT THE STATUE OF FREEDOM IS ‘BORN’ IN FLORENCE?

Entering Santa Croce, you will probably wonder what the Statue of Liberty is doing there …

Pio Fedi was commissioned to design and build a solemn funeral monument to celebrate the decennial of the death of the playwright Giovanni Battista Niccolini.

In 1870 Fedi began designing the statue, in 1871 he completed a sketch in plaster, it will be completed in 1877 but only in 1883 will be finally brought and inaugurated in the Basilica of Santa Croce.

Here we can admire the imposing female figure with a crown of eight rays, the right arm raised and a broken chain in the hand, the left arm, lowered, culminates with a wreath of laurels, symbol of poetry.

Between the Freedom of the Poetry of Fedi, enclosed in a niche, and the statue of liberty by Auguste Bartholdi, which welcomes those who arrive in New York, there are considerable similarities and perhaps not for nothing.

It seems that Bartholdi was in Florence just in the period when Pio Fedi made the draft in plaster. It is well known that Bartholdi was in Italy for the sake of the Italian Risorgimento, eager to identify in the cultural environment of the period and it is probable that he saw the cast and that it could be inspired him and his famous work.

In New York, in fact, the Lady Liberty, as the Americans call it, wears a seven-spoke crown, breaks the chain with the foot, with the right hand holding a torch and in the left holds the declaration of independence of the United States.

It can not be a coincidence, no?!

 

A SNACK ON THE OUTSKIRTS

 

‘THE BUN  OF CHIESA NUOVA IS A LEGEND’

 

It’s true, If you are taking a trip through the Florentine hills (San Casciano) and it’s time for a snack, you absolutely must stop by GIOTTO. Always hot and crispy, it is a specialty that you can not find anywhere else. Do not be frightened by the queue, you will always find long lines of impatient mouths that are waiting for the delight, but I assure you that it will be absolutely worth it!!!

 

‘LA CONSUMA’

 

A location outside Florence, well-known among the Florentines for outings and healthy eating! The bun with boletus mushrooms is very famous, you can not leave without having tasted it!

 

‘CASA DEL PROSCIUTTO’ (Home of ham)

 

On the Florentine hills, in the beautiful location of Fiesole, you will find this characteristic inn. Hams hanging on the walls, chopping boards full of delicacies, cheeses to taste with sauces and jams.. you will certainly not go out on an empty stomach!

The first three Pizzerias of Florence

 

The first three Pizzerias of Florence

 

Do not you think that good pizza is only in Naples? Also in Florence we boast a wide choice of places where you can taste “the real Italian Pizza”.

 

Bianca Zero Zero

 

Have you ever heard about the “Roman pinsa”?  Here is the novelty that proposes the new pizzeria “Bianca Zero Zero”, which now appears on the Florentine scene.

 

The Roman pinsa dates back to ancient Rome. Its peculiarity is the recipe, which is obtained with a mix of soft wheat flour, soy and rice risen for a minimum of 48 hours. The careful choice of ingredients makes this particular pizza tasty, digestible and low-calorie.

http://www.biancazerozero.it/

 

Santa Lucia

 

The Santa Lucia pizzeria restaurant has been a guarantee for many years. A delicious soft well seasoned pizza, in other words, one of the best pizzas in Florence. A well-kept placed dedicated to quality catering but with moderate prices. Synonymous with hospitality and attention to detail, made for customers who do not look for a simple pizza but a real culinary experience.

 

Lo Spera

There is a pizzeria in Florence, “Lo Spera” pizzeria in Via della Cernaia, which is very special. Indeed, it boats a pizza made by no less then a pizza chef  who is the World Pizza Champion. The unusual fact is that the renowned champion is a woman. Her name is Elena Spera, who is the daughter of the historic owner Salvatore, who founded and gave the name to the pizzeria.  In fact, Elena has won the 11th World Championship of Pizza held in Salsomaggiore Terme, prevailing over 333 competitors.

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