Blog

The Rape of the Sabines

by Joyce Rudge

The Rape of the Sabines

Sitting in Florence's "open air museum" known as The Loggia di Lanzi is one of the most famous and moving works of sculptor Giambologna....The ...

The all-new lungarno Acciaiuoli

by Joyce Rudge

The all-new lungarno Acciaiuoli

The lungarno Acciaiuoli, in its heyday back in the nineteenth century, was a walkway along the Arno which was paved in stone. The current proje...

Where was the first opera performed?

by Joyce Rudge

Where was the first opera performed?

It is said that the opera ain't over 'til the fat lady sings, but guess where she first sang? The first opera was performed in Florence to c...

Welcome to Palazzo Vecchio, Cosimo I de' Medici’s Humble Abode.

by Joyce Rudge
Everyone who has ever been to Florence has marveled at the Palazzo Vecchio, the medieval palace constructed from 1299 to 1302: it now houses the C...

Yes, Florentines bathed back in the Renaissance. Some more luxuriously than others.

by Joyce Rudge

Yes, Florentines bathed back in the Renaissance. Some more luxuriously than others.

Oftentimes, I stand staring at Cosimo de' Medici’s elaborate bathing chamber in his Palazzo Vecchio and imagine the flow of servants bringing up ...

Florence’s Il Porcellino, as seen in a Harry Potter movie, brings luck to snout rubbing visitors.

by Joyce Rudge

Florence’s Il Porcellino, as seen in a Harry Potter movie, brings luck to snout rubbing visitors.

  A sculpted bronze wild boar fountain called Il Porcellino, dating back to 1634, is located outside the Mercato Nuovo.  Visitors place a coin...

Some people get a toaster for a wedding gift. Francis & Joan got a fountain.

by Joyce Rudge

Some people get a toaster for a wedding gift. Francis & Joan got a fountain.

The Fountain of Neptune in front of Palazzo Vecchio was inaugurated in 1765 to celebrate the wedding between Francis I de' Medici and Joan of A...

Today's rich families in Florence, Italy, were rich 700 years ago

by Joyce Rudge

Today's rich families in Florence, Italy, were rich 700 years ago

A lot has changed in the Italian city of Florence in the roughly 700 years since the 1427 census, but a striking new paper from Guglielmo Baron...

Florence is at my feet

by Joyce Rudge

Florence is at my feet

Stepping out of the safety of my little Italian apartment, curiosity, excitement and new possibilities consume me. Left or right? Left will take ...

Fast Food. Italian Style.

by Joyce Rudge

Fast Food. Italian Style.

A photo of one of the fast food restaurants at the Santa Maria Novella train station. Everything is so fresh and delicious (and healthy..... even...

A visit to Villa il Roseto

by Joyce Rudge

A visit to Villa il Roseto

The Florentine recently paid a visit to Villa il Roseto, the former home of Giovanni Michelucci, during Invasioni Digitali, an annual event when ...

Cosimo I de' Medici's Rooftop Getaway

by Joyce Rudge

Cosimo I de' Medici's Rooftop Getaway

The Vasari Corridor runs right over the tops of buildings and to anyone who knows and loves Florence, it is very special. For those who forgot or ...