To me, the city of Florence is like a ornately set piece of jewelry: It is beautiful, delicate, and perfect in its arrangement.  Walking the streets of this city can be a transporting experience, sending one back to the times of the Renaissance, for this is the city that gave birth to that most glorious of eras.   While exploring this city, you will pass the former residences of many celebrities from ancient times, including Fra Filippo Lippi, the famous Renaissance painter.

A plaque on a wall marks the building that Nathaniel Hawthorne stayed in, while visiting Florence in 1858.

Another nearby pays tribute to the house where the famous photographer, Giulio Bencini, lived.

The building where the French writer and politician, Alphonse de Lamartine, lived for two years, is also marked by a plaque.

Another plaque, on the wall of the garden of Villa Torrigiani, marks the spot where Giovanni Battista Giorgini held the very first High Fashion Show ever produced in Italy, setting up the event inside of the villa, where his family lived.  It was a huge success, and changed the fashion world forever, introducing some of Italy’s best designers at the time, to a worldwide market.

A plaque marks the house where the Swedish writer, Hjalmar Bergman, lived, while doing research for works in Florence.

The Porta Romana dates from the 13th century, and is the southernmost gate of the city.

On the other side of the Porta Romana, there is a traffic circle, in the center of which stands a two-figured statue, “Dietro – Front,” by Michelangelo Pistoletto.

Also, from there, it is possible to walk along a section of the 13th-century city walls.

In Piazza Torquato Tasso, a plaque on the city walls honors the five innocent citizens who were assassinated there by Fascists, on the 17th of July, 1944.

Next up: The Chiesa di Santo Spirito, and a visit to the unique Officina Profumo-Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella!

Note: This blog is written in English and Spanish, and the author takes no responsibility for the quality of any other translations which may appear.  If you have enjoyed this post, please, check out our archives for more posts from lovely Florence, as well as other Italian destinations.  Grazie!