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Secret Florence
Visit a church in a prison, learn how Florence became the centre of hermetism during the Renaissance and where you can still find traces of it today, escape from the crowds of tourists to visit little-known artistic masterpieces, head off to hunt for the 34 plaques displaying quotes from the “Divine Comedy”, fill up your tank at a vintage service station, have your children count the number of bees sculpted on the monument to the glory of Ferdinand I, look for the last wine distributors of the Renaissance, notice the minuscule windows designed to let children look out quietly onto the street, visit superb private gardens that even the Florentines don’t know about, learn how the purple colour of the Fiorentina football team is connected to the pee of a Florentine crusader in Palestine . . .
Far from the crowds and usual clichés, Florence holds many well-hidden treasures that are revealed only to the city’s inhabitants or travellers who know how to step off the beaten track.
An essential guide for those who think they know Florence well or for those looking to discover the hidden side of the city.
Far from the crowds and usual clichés, Florence holds many well-hidden treasures that are revealed only to the city’s inhabitants or travellers who know how to step off the beaten track.
An essential guide for those who think they know Florence well or for those looking to discover the hidden side of the city.
349 pages, Paperback
First published August 2, 2011
6 people are currently reading
23 people want to read
About the author
Niccolò Rinaldi
20 books3 followersNiccolò Rinaldi (Firenze, 3 dicembre 1962) è un politico, scrittore e alpinista italiano [copiato da: it.wikipedia.org]
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
September 8, 2019
Davvero interessante e ricco di spunti, sia per una visita veloce alla città sia per una più approfondita, insieme magari a itinerari più classici. Sicuramente una serie di guide diverse dal solito.
Non vedo l'ora di "toccare con mano" alcuni dei luoghi consigliati.
Update feb 2019: sempre utilissimo per un fine settimana all'insegna di una Firenze che ha sempre un lato insolito da scoprire.
Update set 2019: si conferma la miglior guida per impressionare ;)
Non vedo l'ora di "toccare con mano" alcuni dei luoghi consigliati.
Update feb 2019: sempre utilissimo per un fine settimana all'insegna di una Firenze che ha sempre un lato insolito da scoprire.
Update set 2019: si conferma la miglior guida per impressionare ;)
August 22, 2023
Ahhh! Florence-city of romance and the Renaissance. Florence is a city in Central Italy and the capital city of the Tuscany region.
As an artist and graphic designer Florence Italy draws me to its majestic cathedrals, amazing museums and historical places. Florence is one of the most beautiful cities in Italy and boasts some of the most important historical and artistic locations in the world.
Secret Florence, published by Jonglez Publishing and written by Niccolo Rinaldi and Paola Maresca explores the hidden treasures within the city, visits the back streets and alleys, spotlights artistic treasures few tourists even know exist and introduces readers to the people and places of the famed city.
Just a few of the surprises you will discover are a prison church, where Christian hermits originated, artistic masterpieces, carefully manicured gardens, majestic palaces, wineries, a Templar statue and other little known locations.
Mingle with the residents, eat where they eat, visits places locals frequent and meld into the magic that is Italy.
Secret Florence is explored in a compact, fact filled, color photo packed guide to one of the most enchanting cities in the entire world.
"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." — Joshua 1:9
As an artist and graphic designer Florence Italy draws me to its majestic cathedrals, amazing museums and historical places. Florence is one of the most beautiful cities in Italy and boasts some of the most important historical and artistic locations in the world.
Secret Florence, published by Jonglez Publishing and written by Niccolo Rinaldi and Paola Maresca explores the hidden treasures within the city, visits the back streets and alleys, spotlights artistic treasures few tourists even know exist and introduces readers to the people and places of the famed city.
Just a few of the surprises you will discover are a prison church, where Christian hermits originated, artistic masterpieces, carefully manicured gardens, majestic palaces, wineries, a Templar statue and other little known locations.
Mingle with the residents, eat where they eat, visits places locals frequent and meld into the magic that is Italy.
Secret Florence is explored in a compact, fact filled, color photo packed guide to one of the most enchanting cities in the entire world.
"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." — Joshua 1:9
April 2, 2018
Fascinating guide to the lesser known sights of Florence which enriched my trip so much! I felt like I'd had a crash history course after reading it, and I was able to hold forth upon a wide variety of interesting subjects. I will look for more guides in this series when traveling again.
February 9, 2017
Do not visit Florence without this book. You will miss some of the really interesting stuff.
November 4, 2011
I love Florence. It is my favorite and one of the most accessible of Italian cities. I have been there a few times and was lucky enough to stay for almost a week once and really feel a part of the city. I walked everywhere, seeking out frescoes by the Fras — Angelica and Filippo Lippi. I crossed the Ponte Vecchio in search of Masaccio and Florentine steak. I found Della Robbia ceramic details on buildings while laundering my clothes at the convenient laundromats. I searched out the little devils painted into so many frescoes in churches — it’s not just about angels in Florence. I tried to find a pair of red shoes, which seemed the right sort of Florentine footwear.
I knew that Florence was more than just the tick-it-off-your-list city with the Uffizi and Duomo, but after reading Secret Florence, I realize that I have only just scratched the surface of this enchanting city. I would imagine that even long-time residents might also find many spots in its pages that they have yet to explore. I’m not quite the insider I hoped I was, but this very different sort of guidebook might help me become one. And it definitely makes me want to start planning my next trip.
My full review:
http://xoxoxoe.blogspot.com/2011/08/s...
I knew that Florence was more than just the tick-it-off-your-list city with the Uffizi and Duomo, but after reading Secret Florence, I realize that I have only just scratched the surface of this enchanting city. I would imagine that even long-time residents might also find many spots in its pages that they have yet to explore. I’m not quite the insider I hoped I was, but this very different sort of guidebook might help me become one. And it definitely makes me want to start planning my next trip.
My full review:
http://xoxoxoe.blogspot.com/2011/08/s...
September 7, 2012
This is probably the first time I've ever read a guidebook from cover to cover, but then this isn't really a normal guidebook; it's more a wonderful collection of curiosities and historical details, much of which I'm sure I'd have missed otherwise on my recent trip to Florence.
There's a lot to see in Florence, but it was nice to have this book in hand along with my conventional guidebook. Reading it opened up a whole different set of angles on the city and finding some of the smaller details listed was a real unexpected joy. I was so impressed with this book that I will definitely look out others in the series, starting with the one for my own home city.
I'd recommend this book to anyone who is interested in delving a little deeper into the history and hidden anecdotes of this fascinating place.
There's a lot to see in Florence, but it was nice to have this book in hand along with my conventional guidebook. Reading it opened up a whole different set of angles on the city and finding some of the smaller details listed was a real unexpected joy. I was so impressed with this book that I will definitely look out others in the series, starting with the one for my own home city.
I'd recommend this book to anyone who is interested in delving a little deeper into the history and hidden anecdotes of this fascinating place.
April 9, 2014
A brilliant guide to less known places in Florence!
April 27, 2019
Exploring hidden gems with Jonglez (the new edition)
Secret Florecne is your go-to guidebook when you have “done” all the big sites and you want something just a bit different…. but even when you are at the Duomo, don’t overlook the blasphemous angel, clearly disgruntled and making a rude gesture.
My art history lecturer said, when you visit a new place, ALWAYS look up! And the delights you will find above eye level in Florence are considerable. How about the little monkey’s head sculpture at Casino Mediceo or check out the preposterous facade for the Palazzo Zuccari (having highlighted this as a possibility, I then struggled to find it in the index in the back).
You can explore the hidden Art Nouveau elements and find the evidence of Roman pettlement – follow the outline of the Roman Amphitheatre that once stood in the city.
You can choose the area you want to explore in more depth with maps that highlight the different sights. This is a good way to get to know the quartieri of the city. Discover why there are so many finestrelle (little windows). And how about going off the beaten track to the Mausoleum of the Maharaja of Kolhapur?
The Jonglez Secret guides are a goldmine of information and there are always new ones coming out, so do check if there is one relevant for your next destination. A diverse and eclectic selection of hidden gems.
Secret Florecne is your go-to guidebook when you have “done” all the big sites and you want something just a bit different…. but even when you are at the Duomo, don’t overlook the blasphemous angel, clearly disgruntled and making a rude gesture.
My art history lecturer said, when you visit a new place, ALWAYS look up! And the delights you will find above eye level in Florence are considerable. How about the little monkey’s head sculpture at Casino Mediceo or check out the preposterous facade for the Palazzo Zuccari (having highlighted this as a possibility, I then struggled to find it in the index in the back).
You can explore the hidden Art Nouveau elements and find the evidence of Roman pettlement – follow the outline of the Roman Amphitheatre that once stood in the city.
You can choose the area you want to explore in more depth with maps that highlight the different sights. This is a good way to get to know the quartieri of the city. Discover why there are so many finestrelle (little windows). And how about going off the beaten track to the Mausoleum of the Maharaja of Kolhapur?
The Jonglez Secret guides are a goldmine of information and there are always new ones coming out, so do check if there is one relevant for your next destination. A diverse and eclectic selection of hidden gems.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews