By Becca Baitel
As I near the end of my semester abroad, I reflect on how much there is left to see within Florence itself. As study-abroad students, many of us dedicate so much time to traveling, but how well do we even know our own city beyond the most famous attractions, such as the Duomo and Ponte Vecchio? On a blustery Tuesday afternoon, I decided to venture outside of the familiar, beloved center city, which houses so many of my incredible memories from throughout the semester and explore Le Cure. Offering views of the neighboring Fiesole and Tuscan countryside, Le Cure is a neighborhood located north of Florence on the banks of the
Mugnone River.
Something I noticed immediately was the fall foliage, the vibrant reds, and oranges still present in many of the trees. Missing the autumn season at home this year made this moment something I was quite excited by. Leaves crunching under my feet, I made my way over to
Piazza delle Cure, which features its legendary open-air market with clothing, artisan work, and food. Even on a cloudy weekday, the market was bustling with people, young children grabbing fresh produce on the way home from school, and women buying cardigans to keep warm as the seasons change. I was surprised I had never once heard about Le Cure in the entire duration of my stay here in Florence. While small in size, the Piazza immediately stood out to me as the central hub for Le Cure residents to gather and engage.
From its tree-lined streets scattered with independently-owned shops and easy access to the center city of Florence through the 1, 6, or 11 buses, and on foot, Le Cure provides a peaceful, natural ambiance perfect for a laidback afternoon day trip. For those wishing to gain a different perspective of the neighborhood, be sure to venture to the underground tunnels below the streets, which serve as a bypass to get over the train tracks. In Le Cure, looks are certainly deceiving, as these widely spread tunnel entrances can easily be overlooked. However, the tunnels feature an impressive array of unique graffiti art underneath! Even today, artists are still adding new work to these underground spaces, making Le Cure a vessel for creative expression. Le Cure also houses the famous Stadio Artemio Franchi, ACF Fiorentina’s home stadium, and many parks like the famous Pettini Bursi Park, offering yet another community center for people of all ages to interact with one another in this true Florentine gem.