Florence, the hidden capital
A Journey Through Living History (June 2026)
My trip to Florence was much more than a visit to one of Italy’s most beautiful destinations. It felt like walking through an open-air museum where every stone, narrow street, and historic building tells a story that spans centuries. The unexpected highlight of my stay was experiencing the spectacular Calcio Storico, a unique annual event that has been celebrated for over 500 years and perfectly reflects the city’s proud traditions.
Florence is also famous as the birthplace of authentic gelato, and of course, the local cuisine did not disappoint. From homemade pasta to delicious Tuscan specialties, every meal was a celebration of Italian culture and hospitality. Florence is definitely a city where history, tradition, and gastronomy come together to create an unforgettable experience and which I might prefer to Rome, much bigger and crowded.
When I visited the Piazza del Duomo I was stunned by a signal on a wall indicating the height of the Flood of Florence occurred on in November 1966 when the Arno river overflowed after days of heavy rain, submerging much of Florence under mud and floodwaters. Here below two photos from this tragedy which could happen again as I was told. The disaster killed over 30 people and caused severe damage to priceless artworks, historic buildings, and millions of books and manuscripts. It is also remembered for the international volunteer response known as the “Mud Angels,” who helped rescue Florence’s cultural heritage.
Here the day & night impressions from this spectacular Cathedral Santa Maria del Fiore, the spiritual (and touristic) heart of Florence. If you walk around the cathedral and look carefully you may notice an unusual stone sculpture: the head of a bull. At first glance, it seems like a simple decorative detail, but local legend gives it a much more entertaining explanation.
According to the story, one of the master stonemasons working on the cathedral fell in love with a married woman who lived nearby. When her husband discovered the affair, he took the craftsman to court. The mason could not openly confront him, so he took a quieter form of revenge: he carved the face of a bull—an old Tuscan symbol associated with a deceived husband, similar to the idea of being "cuckolded"—and positioned it so that it looked directly toward the man's house. Not sure if this story is entirely true and it is impossible to prove, but the bull's head is real.
I stayed at The Social Hub Belfiore which is perfectly located: 20 minutes walk to city center (I always used a bike, very convenient day and night) and just ahead of tram station Belfiore which is connected to airport (25 minutes if there is no strike and less than 2€). Not really a boutique hotel due to the size but I really loved it and the highlight is definitely the rooftop area with garden, food court, pool and chill places.
Palazzo Vecchio: I took this photo from a specific angle to do justice to the scale of this unique building. It’s a true landmark of the city, with an incredibly rich history. This Palazzo has continuously reinvented itself for over 700 years: fortress to protect the fragile republic, city hall still serving today the people of Florence, ducal palace transformed by the Medici dynasty, prison that held revolutionaries and reformers, art gallery hiding Renaissance mysteries.
You can see in the right bottom corner a replica of Michelangelo's David standing beside the entrance to Palazzo Vecchio. The original statue was placed there in 1504 and remained for over 350 years before being moved indoors for protection.
David was more than a masterpiece—it was a political symbol. Just as the biblical David defeated the giant Goliath, the Florentine Republic saw itself as a small but determined city defending its liberty against larger and more powerful rivals.
Definitely my favourite place: Giardino dello Rose next to the Piazzale Michelangelo (much more crowded and less idyllic. Be there after 5pm for an overwhelming sundown and enjoy one drink on the little terrace. The climb is steep, but after about 20 minutes, you’ll be rewarded with a unique view and atmosphere. Unlike the sometimes crowded Old Town, there are no big crowds winding their way through the small park here.
Calcio Storico! Although I remember having watched the Netflix documentary (Home game series) I didn't expect such a spectacle. The most traditional sport in Italy that dates back nearly 500 years.
I discovered this Vivaldino Osteria by coincidence and was immediately attracted by the atmosphere and the super friendly welcoming staff. Although the little terrace (5-6 tables) is located in the middle of busy Via della Scala it didn't really impact my stay there. And on top the Carbonara and the Tiramisu were simply out of this world. It was so good that I went back the next day to try some of the other dishes.
Thanks to the unique urban and street architecture, the narrow lanes are cast in a special play of shadows from late afternoon onwards. Timeless.
All bridges except in a wondrous way the famous Ponte Vecchio, built in 14th century, were destroyed in World War II. As German forces retreated from Florence in 1944, they destroyed almost all the bridges across the Arno River. Ponte Vecchio, however, was spared. Instead of blowing up the bridge itself, the surrounding buildings and access roads were destroyed, leaving the historic structure standing. This decision allowed one of Florence's most treasured landmarks to survive the war.
And finally here the original idea why I decided visiting Florence. As I love Italian ice cream, Gelato to be more precise, I always had in mind taking time to visit an expert or attending a cooking class. After some intense research I opted for this Pizza & Gelato Making Class in Via d'Ardiglioni and this was doubtlessly the right choice. Plenty of olive oil, "Mutti", my wife’s favourite brand is everywhere; to my surprise (I’m not a trained chef), sugar goes into the pizza sauce too. Nice inspiring experience in the midst of a real professional kitchen.
Firenze, grazie per questi bei momenti e a presto.
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