My friend Liz bought a fabulous book for me…Secret Florence, by Niccolo Rinaldi. It is full of interesting details that you might not notice on your wanderings in Florence.
We set off, book in hand, to discover some things we had not seen before. The first secrets were hidden around the Duomo. I never tire of standing in front of this magnificent building.
The beautiful baptistery is under scaffolding at the moment, but the Porta del Paradiso, Gates of Paradise, so named by Michelangelo, is visible. This is where we discovered our first secret. On the left-hand door at the 5th level is a self portrait of Lorenzo Ghiberti, the artist who created the door. Who could blame him for wanting to be part of this magnificent work of art?
The next one is on one of the front doors to the church. On the right of the doorway on the far right of the Duomo’s facade is the blasphemous angel. This naughty angel is giving us the finger. It is said to be a reference to the sodomy that was widespread on the banks of the Arno.
We had trouble finding the next secret high above the Porta Della Mandorla, which leads to the top of the gigantic cupola.
It took a bit of searching, but we finally located the bull looking towards a house opposite. It is said that this was the work of a master mason, who placed the bull there in order to mock a man who was jealous of his young wife.
I wonder how he got away with it.
There are many more secrets to be discovered in Florence. I will bring them to you as I find them. We have a Secret Venice too, thanks Liz.
Always, always wanted to go to Florence, still Time!.. What superb shots and what a great little book.. c
By: cecilia on April 23, 2014
at 7:07 pm
It is a great book. I am looking forward to many visits to Florence to work my way through it. Fortunately Florence is an easy day trip from Bagni di Lucca and i can go often. You must visit one day soon.
By: Debra Kolkka on April 23, 2014
at 7:13 pm
Very interesting. These are the things that one needs time for. Most of us visitors do not have that luxury but this makes it easy for us.
By: Lyn on April 23, 2014
at 7:38 pm
Following the directions in the book adds some fun to a day in Florence.
By: Debra Kolkka on April 24, 2014
at 3:28 am
Just wonderful! Looking forward to all your new discoveries!
By: mulino dominillo on April 23, 2014
at 7:44 pm
I love finding things I have not seen before.
By: Debra Kolkka on April 24, 2014
at 3:29 am
I always have a touch of ‘Stendhalismo’ on entering Il Duomo. Though not a secret of Florence, my reaction is still very unusual.
By: Francesca on April 23, 2014
at 8:58 pm
What a great word. Florence can certainly take your breath away.
By: Debra Kolkka on April 24, 2014
at 3:31 am
Wonderful post Debra! Thanks to Francesca for the perfect new word to describe Florence….don’t laugh I had to look it up!
“Florence is so full of art that travellers risk falling prey to the condition known as Stendhalismo, a term attributed to the writer Stendhal, who was so mesmerized by the beauty of Florence that he almost fainted. A type of travellers nervosa, Stendhalismo mostly strikes visitors who have difficulties prioritizing a visit.” Michelin guide to Tuscany
By: Susie Q on April 23, 2014
at 10:56 pm
Thank you for looking up the word for us. The Duomo has to be one of the great sights in the world.
By: Debra Kolkka on April 24, 2014
at 3:32 am
Florence just knocks your socks off!
By: ytaba36 on April 23, 2014
at 11:26 pm
Yes, it does. I like having a new reason to explore Florence.
By: Debra Kolkka on April 24, 2014
at 3:34 am
Can understand Stendhalismo’s quote as Florence offers never-ending delights in every visit, truly a magical place at every corner. Debra, can you please find that Chocolate Shop mentioned in “Secret Florence”. We stumbled upon it, a tiny shop, one time, and I tried to find it again when I was in Florence but kept getting distracted by other delights. In this chocolate shop is a maestro of chocolate-making who will teach you the art of tasting chocolate on certain days of the week. Worth a look and a taste, I reckon!
By: Sandra Hoopmann on April 23, 2014
at 11:31 pm
I don’t think you would have seen the chocolate shop in this book as I have only had it for a few weeks. I will try to track down the shop anyway.
By: Debra Kolkka on April 24, 2014
at 3:36 am
What a lovely way to discover new things in Florence. Happy exploring.
By: Jim & Kerry on April 23, 2014
at 11:39 pm
There are some interesting things I am looking forward to finding.
By: Debra Kolkka on April 24, 2014
at 3:37 am
And the tales they create!
By: aFrankAngle on April 24, 2014
at 1:27 am
Some of the things mentioned in the book are there for all to see, but it is the stories behind them that make it really interesting.
By: Debra Kolkka on April 24, 2014
at 3:39 am
Absolutely!!!!
By: aFrankAngle on April 24, 2014
at 11:20 am
I will never tire of seeing the Duomo, Debra. I have now seen it with brand new eyes – what a special book. I find the secrets fascinating. Another reason for me to visit again. Thank you for reminding me of how much there is to learn from this beautiful yet mysterious city.
By: meditatingmummy on April 24, 2014
at 3:46 am
I love this book. It is great to see Florence with new eyes.
By: Debra Kolkka on April 24, 2014
at 9:27 am
Sounds like an interesting book and with a different perspective. Florence is a jewel. So much to see and do. Just being there is special. Must go back for another visit. Great photos Debra.
Cheers, Robyn
By: italia4ever on April 24, 2014
at 6:07 am
Just being in Florence is excellent and finding new reasons to love Florence, even better.
By: Debra Kolkka on April 24, 2014
at 9:29 am
Amazing detail! I love seeing places through the eyes of others!
By: chillcat on April 24, 2014
at 6:21 am
The book has given me new reasons to wander the streets of Florence.
By: Debra Kolkka on April 24, 2014
at 9:42 am
We are headed to Italy this year so I’m looking at your posts with a close eye! 😀
By: Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella on April 24, 2014
at 6:44 am
I hope you come to Lucca!
By: Debra Kolkka on April 24, 2014
at 9:35 am
I wonder if there will be a secret Lucca too?
By: Francis on April 24, 2014
at 6:56 am
Perhaps we could write it?
By: Debra Kolkka on April 24, 2014
at 9:35 am
I am reading everyword, I shall buy that book for our trip to Florence in May.
By: Janet on April 24, 2014
at 8:42 am
The book is great, you will love it, and Florence more.
By: Debra Kolkka on April 24, 2014
at 9:34 am
Speaking of stendhalismo, today I went to the Pontormo and Rosso exhibition at the Palazzo Strozzi museum in Florence (http://www.palazzostrozzi.org/pontormoerosso). For foreigners the museum is sort of a secret. No queues! On until 20 July.
By: Heather Jarman on April 24, 2014
at 5:26 pm
I saw the posters for that exhibition. I love the Palazzo Strozzi. I was almost the only person there for the last exhibition I saw. The added bonus is that it is just across the road from Giacosa, my favourite cafe in Florence.
By: Debra Kolkka on April 24, 2014
at 5:48 pm
I’ll be looking out for these on my next trip to Florence – and your other posts about the city’s secrets. Lovely post 🙂
By: Suzanne Jones on April 24, 2014
at 10:46 pm
Florence is a beautiful and I go in the off season when the streets are not too crowded. Every time I go I find something wonderful…and the book is helping.
By: Debra Kolkka on April 25, 2014
at 5:39 am
How fun! I’ll be there in a few weeks…thanks for the suggestions! And I’m looking forward to meeting up with you in ROME!!
By: rickzullo.com on April 25, 2014
at 2:40 pm
The book is great. I wonder if it possible to buy it here. I am keen to meet you too.
By: Debra Kolkka on April 25, 2014
at 2:49 pm
WHOA! That was a surprising discovery. The angel IS giving us the finger, the Italian way. Even if I saw that, I wouldn’t think it that way. Awesome finds!!!
By: rommel on April 26, 2014
at 7:18 pm
What a naughty angel. It is amazing that it got past the people in charge.
By: Debra Kolkka on April 27, 2014
at 5:48 pm
how fabulous!!! I love finding out these little tidbits
By: Where's Wiwi? on May 12, 2014
at 11:50 am
One secret you will not find in that fascinating book is that my Babbo was baptised in that Baptistry!
By: alexandrapettitt on October 4, 2015
at 8:53 pm
[…] Back at the Duomo I pointed out to my friend some of the little known aspects on the exterior, including the laughing ox, which coincidentally has been featured in this month’s Italy magazine. I discovered it in a book called Secret Florence, which is full of wonderful things to discover. See the post I wrote previously. Secret Florence […]
By: A short stay in Florence | Bagni di Lucca and Beyond on September 7, 2020
at 7:08 pm
[…] And the side…I found the bull hiding in a corner on the side. Find the story of the bull and other secrets…Secret Florence […]
By: Florence | Bagni di Lucca and Beyond on February 12, 2022
at 7:35 pm