Piazza della Signoria – Finding Florence

Florence’s Marzocco Lion

By Kellie Bessette

Florence is covered with many versions of the Marzocco lion that date back to the Middle Ages. The Marzocco lion is the animal symbol of the free Republic of Florence.

While there are no real lions hunting the streets of Florence, statues of lions have been seen around the historic city center since the Middle Ages. The Marzocco lion, also known as the heraldic lion, is a symbol representing the free Republic of Florence. The Republic chose a lion not only because lions are a universal symbol for strength, but because they are able to tear apart eagles, which is the symbol of imperial power.

During the Middle Ages, it was not uncommon for nobles to present each other with exotic gifts. By the fifteenth century, as many as 24 lions were kept in cages behind Palazza Vecchio, or what is now Via dei Leoni. According to legend, one of the lions escaped and snatched a child during the reign of the Primo Popolo. The lion gave the child back to it’s mother unharmed and was dubbed a symbol of good luck for the people of Florence.

The most famous Marzocco was sculpted by Donatello in 1418 and was originally installed at Santa Maria Novella for Pope Martin V. The piece was later moved to Piazza Della Signoria in 1812. The lion is seated protecting the red fleur de lis, the coat-of-arms of Florence. The lion’s eyes are wise and the body is lifelike. Within the same piazza, two large lions guard the entrance to the Loggia dei Lanzi.

Another spotting of the Marzocco lion is located at Piazza Santa Croce at the Statue of Dante. The Statue of Dante was created in 1865 to celebrate the poet’s 600th birthday. Four heraldic lions stand at each corner of the pedestal holding shields with the names of Dante’s works. With many more statues of the Marzocco lion, it is clear that this animal has such an important historic connection.

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Surviving the Cold: Florence’s Indoor Activities

By Jess Pitocco

Since January is the coldest month of the year in Florence, it may seem difficult at first to find indoor things to do that don’t include the Uffizi Museum. The city however is full of great indoor activities, here are some ideas of things to do to stay out of the frosty weather.

Palazzo Strozzi is a great place to spend a day indoors without getting bored! Currently, the Ai Weiwei exhibit is being shown until January 22th, 2016 and is a great way to look at some modern art (instead of the Renaissance art you are used to seeing.) The Strozzi Café is open Tuesday throughSunday from 8:00 AM to 00:30AM (Monday until 8:00 PM) and serves breakfast, lunch, cocktails and dinner. It’s a great place not only to bang out a homework assignment or study for finals but also to experience some wine tasting and classic Italian cuisine. There are even a bookshop and a contemporary space to hang out on the bottom floor. Palazzo Strozzi is truly a great place to spend an afternoon sight-seeing, eating and studying.
If you haven’t visited the Gucci Museum yet in one of your fashion classes, it is a great place to learn more not only about fashion but also about Hollywood. The museum has everything from a history of bags, their double G logo, and even dresses for the stars. The Gucci Museum also includes a great café and bookshop to hang out in. In the same Piazza della Signora, the Palazzo Vecchio stands tall. I know that even though I’ve lived here for months I still haven’t had time to see some of Florence’s most beautiful monuments. If you haven’t seen Palazzo Vecchio, it is worth the look. You can see it’s glorious rooms, gold-plated ceilings, and even climb the tower to see a beautiful view of the city. Afterwards, you can dine at the restaurant/café on the top level overlooking the piazza and its many statues below. Definitely take the time to explore this Piazza della Signora because it’s wonders and museums are unique and grand.
Palazzo Pitti is known for the sprawling Boboli Gardens, however, these gardens are not the most enticing in the cold. What you may not know is that the Pitti Palace is a series of 6 museums and gardens, not just the Boboli Gardens. Take an afternoon to explore these museums: The Palatine Museum, The Gallery of Modern Art, The Costume Gallery, The Medici Treasury, and the Porcelain Museum. Among the galleries and museums that range from jewels to plates, there is a wonderful little restaurant and café on the entrance floor to relax, do homework, or write in your journal. To explore Pitti Palace is to absorb all facets of Florentine culture from art to history.
The new Museo degli Innocenti is something interesting and unusual to check out. The former abandoned children’s hospital established in the Renaissance still continues to help Florentine families today through social services and educational programs. The new museum in Piazza Santissima Annunziata will highlight the building’s works, architecture and documentary records which make the Institute’s heritage so unique. The institution’s history and many original paintings tell of the people who lived in the Hospital, so this is a great, unique spot to visit in order to discover a different perspective of Florence.
The Salvatore Ferragamo Museum is another great spot to explore art and fashion, with multiple exhibits that not only focus on the shoes of the stars but also experimental and international fashion and art. Along Via de’ Tornabuoni there are endless shopping opportunities to stop in on your way back from the museum. The list includes Valentino, Burberry, Tiffany, Co., Fendi, Montblanc, Giorgio Armani, Prada and even Gucci again. Not only do these high-end shops stretch seemingly a mile long starting at the Salvatore Ferragamo Museum, but there are also more manageable spots to shop Tod’s, Olfattorio, and more. Take an afternoon or evening to window shop and explore one of the coolest and most progressive museums I’ve ever seen.
La Specola, the Museum of Natural History in Florence, is another great spot for a day indoors. This museum features Medici collections of fossils, treasures, animals, minerals, exotic plants; there are 24 rooms of zoology and 10 of wax modelling. There is also the Hall of Skeletons featuring over 3,000 archaeological finds! Open year-round and on Via Romana near the Pitti Palace, this museum is definitely worth a look inside for a totally different view of Florence’s scientific findings and discoveries.

Obviously, these are not the only indoor activities to do in Florence: you can see a movie at the Odeon Theater or even take a single cooking class at FUA’s culinary department facilities. However, these piazzas, streets and museums offer a range of possibilities for a lazy afternoon on a cold day in Florence. Take the time to explore new museums and places, and don’t forget to bring a hat and scarf!

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Art: Spiritual Guards in Florence

By Camila Ibarra Gallego

On a sunny day in Firenze it’s hard to miss the bright, bronze sculptures sitting in Piazza della Signoria. But what might be even more shocking is how modern they look contrasted to the sculptures from centuries ago. Pieces from Jan Fabre’s exhibition can be found all over Florence. Find out why they’re here.

Many of you have probably been wondering what the heck a giant sea turtle is doing in the middle of Piazza della Signoria. That’s exactly what passed through my mind the morning I took my usual route to class and saw this big, shiny sculpture I had never seen before. So I decided to do some research to find out what this whole thing was about and share it with everyone who may be as flabbergasted as I was.

Jan Fabre (born in 1958) is a Belgian artist, playwright, stage director, choreographer, and designer. He is having an art exhibition here in Florence called Spiritual Guards. The exhibition is sponsored by the City of Florence, and it is be located between Forte Belvedere, Palazzo Vecchio, and Piazza della Signoria. It is said to be one of the most complex and complicated exhibitions in public spaces created by Jan Fabre. The exhibition will also host hundreds of works done by Fabre between 1978 to 2016 such as bronze sculptures, like the man riding the turtle, installations of beetle shells, wax sculptures, and documentary films of his performances.

The sculpture standing in the middle of the piazza is called Searching for Utopia. On top of the turtle sits a man holding on to reins. This man is the representation of the equestrian statue that was given to Grand Duke Cosimo I, a member of the Medici family and the Grand Duke of Tuscany, which was created by Giambologna.

As I stood there looking at the big turtle, I thought about how the artist paid attention to every detail on the turtle’s shell and on the man riding it. This sculpture is a cross between classical art and contemporary art.

I watched as people gathered around and took selfies with their selfie sticks. Many who just arrived in the city probably don’t realize that this statue has not been there for a while, and think that it is a piece of art that is part of the piazza. I see how they just stand in awe and admire the shiny gold piece of bronze, which looks a lot like Crush, the turtle from Finding Nemo. Children run around the installation and inspect it from every angle, probably wishing they could slide down the turtle’s shell or act as the captain of the ship.

Now every time you walk pass by this shiny, big sculpture and find a person who is just as confused as you were, you will be able to explain to some extent what it is about. If you are interested, Palazzo Vecchio is hosting a series of sculptures interacting with the frescoes and artifacts housed in some rooms to the public. Then check out the entire Fabre exhibition at Fort Belvedere. Fabre will be displayed in Florence until Oct 2. Spiritual Guards is a great art exhibition for those who love imagination and beauty.

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