Visitate palazzi chiusi al pubblico, straordinari giardini privati oppure una chiesa barocca all’interno di una prigione. Godetevi le opere d’arte senza essere circondati da turisti, fate il pieno in un distributore di benzina d’autore, scoprite il museo con le partiture musicali per le partite a tennis, i molluschi giganti dell’Arno, dov’è il terreno appartenente al Comune di Arezzo nella città dei Medici e dove si trova il Santo Sepolcro di Gerusalemme a Firenze. Ammirate una centrale termica futurista, il crocifisso quattrocentesco usato per collaudare la TAC dell’ospedale e un affresco ermetico. Imparate che il giglio rosso non esiste e trovate gli ultimi tombini fascisti...
Lontano dalla folla e dai consueti cliché, Firenze conserva tesori nascosti che rivela solo ad abitanti e turisti pronti ad uscire dai sentieri battuti.
Una guida indispensabile per coloro che pensavano di conoscere bene Firenze e desiderano scoprire il volto nascosto della città.
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 ;)
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
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.
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.
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.
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.