By Sydney Pogue
Photos by FUA Staf
Rising in spirals of marble and stone, Florence is a city known for its architecture, culture, and as being a cornerstone of the Renaissance, to say the least.
But amidst this place of ancient cobblestone and accented archways, lies a small gem no one would expect to see so far inland from the coast. Along the Arno, there is a place where stone turns to sand, volleyball nets and lounge chairs: Easy living.
A project born in 2005 and later moved to Piazza Poggi in 2008, Easy Living has developed into an organization dedicated to improving the quality of life in Florence by creating the outdoor spaces, providing people the opportunity to experience a peaceful place to experience during the summer. The place that was once described as an “abandoned area”, Easy Living has worked hard to turn into a small beach and social gathering, saying in their own words, “we have tried to help spread the word of coexistence by creating a social pact founded on consensus and cohesion”.
With this spirit, they have gone beyond the mere efforts of creating a scenic beach with a tiki bar and aperitivo lot, but have invested in developing a holistic health practice of life on various levels as well. Not only do they often host yoga classes (at sunset no less), but also provide opportunities for beach sports. There is also a restaurant there, known as The Terrace, which sits right next to the beach. They offer a menu of food and drink that, while diverse, all share the same intention of providing healthy and fresh ingredients in every dish.
Last, but certainly not least, are the events. Easy Living has hosted many events diverse enough to entertain just about anyone, regardless of personal preferences. They have hosted sand castle tournaments (of which, participation was free), along with preview inaugurations of contemporary art, meetings for vinyl vector enthusiasts, and has even served as a spot to watch the St. John fireworks, to name a few.
There seems to be much more to experience at this small beach than what meets the eye. And it seems as though Easy Living has stayed true to its name, providing a space to foster culture, health, and wellness for both Florentines and those abroad.