Discover the Top 8 Unbelievable Fun Facts About Florence: Unveiling the City's Hidden Gems

1. Medici's Secret Passageway

If secret passageways and sneaky royals are your cup of "Medici-tea", then Florence's Vasari Corridor might just be your ultimate dream vacation destination: Constructed in the 16th century, this hidden gem allowed the Medici family to travel discreetly between the Palazzo Vecchio and the Palazzo Pitti, offering prime views of major Florentine landmarks. Though currently closed for renovations, the corridor is set to reopen with increased public access and lower costs to grant more visitors the chance to step into a history-filled world of intrigue and clandestine strolls.
Source => independenttravelcats.com

2. Lucky Boar Nose-Rub

Next time you're boar-d in Florence, make a snout stop at the shiny-nosed Porcellino for some good fortune: Visitors to the bronze boar statue traditionally rub its nose and drop a coin into its mouth, making a wish while sliding the coin into a grate below for good luck, but repeat attempts at this ritual are strictly forbidden.
Source => florenceinferno.com

Discover the ancient world's premier shopping destination, Trajan's Market in Rome, a multi-story marvel that featured not only shops but also offices, apartments, and even a library! Explore its rich history and imagine the bustling atmosphere of the past.✨🛍️🏛️

=> Fun Facts about Rome

3. Birth of Ice Cream

Before Netflix and "chill" had another meaning, the Florentines were finding sweet solace with a snowball's chance in court: It was at the Medici court in 16th century Florence where ice cream took its first steps, thanks to two innovative maestros, Ruggeri and Bernardo Buontalenti. Ruggeri won over the aristocrats with his frozen delight and left his recipe as a legacy with Catherine de Medici, while Buontalenti transformed the world of ice cream itself, inventing a creamy concoction flavored with bergamot, lemons, and oranges, chilled by a secret formula of his own making – a tantalizing treat still relished in Florence by the name of Buontalenti ice cream.
Source => florenceinferno.com

4. Ancient Fragrant Pharmacy

In Florence, nostrils seeking a whiff of history are in for a fragrant adventure: Home to the Officina Profumo-Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella, one of the world's oldest pharmacies, Florence takes you on a scented 13th-century journey. Dominican friars planted the seeds of this ancient beauty haven by concocting medications, balms, and pomades using medicinal herbs from their gardens. Today, the pharmacy still uses traditional herbs and oils, doling out perfumes, essences, and beauty products, while the museum exhibits the age-old machinery and artifacts intricately woven into its aromatic past.
Source => museumsinflorence.com

5. Life-Changing Leather School

You might say Florence has a leatherworking school that will truly "hide" your past: The Scuola del Cuoio, founded in 1950 by Marcello Gori and Silvano Casini, is tucked inside the Convent of Santa Croce and has offered leather and hide working courses to war orphans, the unemployed, disabled, former juvenile prison inmates, and mentally handicapped individuals, all while supporting the Marcello Foundation, which spreads the culture of artistic craftsmanship through 9-month leather craftsmanship courses.
Source => scuoladelcuoio.it

6. Galileo's Celestial Sidekick

Before Galileo was star-struck by his love for the cosmos, he had a trusty sidekick – courtesy of Florence's very own celestial matchmaker, Egnazio Danti: This Renaissance man not only made significant contributions to astronomy (hello, Earth orbiting the Sun!) but also crafted an astrolabe that Galileo later used for his astronomical calculations. Bonus: Danti's precision instruments made the city's art even more stellar, assisting in accurate perspective and measurement for masterpieces like Masaccio's fresco, "The Trinity," at Santa Maria Novella Basilica.
Source => expertflorenceguide.com

7. Ancient Dome Techniques Resurrected

You know what they say: "Old dome construction techniques never die, they just become archaeological digs!" Well, buckle up, because ancient masonry is coming back in style: Florence's legendary duomo, featuring its self-supporting masonry dome, has stood tall for over 500 years and is now inspiring modern engineers to reconsider ancient construction techniques. The double loxodrome system used to create domes throughout Renaissance Italy has been lost for centuries, but scientists today see potential applications for aerial drones and robots in its resurrection.
Source => princeton.edu

8. Lost on Boboli Garden Island

If you find yourself walking in the Boboli Gardens and suddenly feel a little "Lost," don't worry, there's no smoke monster lurking here: Florence's Boboli Gardens are home to an enchanting little island, 111 acres of lush greenery, and an awe-inspiring collection of sculptures and fountains, making it a serene oasis amid the city's bustle.
Source => uffizi.it