Historic Florence, Italy One Piece at a Time
Strolls, Shoes, and Sweets in the Santa Trinita Area
Almost like a marathon, the tourist buses arrive early in the morning filled with faces of determination and clutching maps in hand to see the city all in a day or two as though they are being timed.The neighborhood around Piazza Santa Trinita proves to be just one of the many overlooked areas of Florence, frequently skimmed through by the single file lines of matching hat wearing tourists.
However, the subtleties of such a part to the Renaissance playground add an importance to the overall cultural identity of the city. As trinita in Italian translates as trinity, appropriately here are three "trinities" not to be missed in this small area.
Ponte Santa Trinita
The bridge that has faced more set-backs than most face in a lifetime, Ponte Santa Trinita has a much longer history than its short stretch across the River Arno. Before just a wooden bridge in the 1200s, Ponte Santa Trinita was formally built in 1567 and completed in 1569 by architect Bartolomeo di Antonio Ammanati. The biggest blows to Ammanati's creation came with German bombings during World War II. The bridge has been rebuilt since, giving one of the best views of the Ponte Vecchio.
Cars and Vespas whiz by during the day, causing a few to jump down to the small inlets on the middle of the bridge. From sunbathers to artists, these small triangles of isolation from the uniform sidewalks of Ponte Santa Trinitia remain a somewhat secret part to most visitors. Statues representing the four seasons seem to stand guard on the four corners of the bridge. They may have the best view of the sun as it sets on Florence, but reserving the secondary seat on the bridge before the crowds pile in will not disappoint the lens of a camera.
The Streets That Wear the Pants of Italian Design
Via Tourbuoni and Via Della Vigna Nuova are mere minutes away from the Ponte Santa Trinita. The renowned designers of Pucci, Gucci, Prada, and Roberto Cavalli have all set up camp in this area. While the tags on the jackets and pants may break bank accounts, window-shopping could be a better solution. Although, the bancomats every fifteen feet may be trying to persuade otherwise. Italians and visitors stroll along the narrow Vigna Nuova to rub their noses against the windows of the famous Italian designers. Just like paying a visit to the David or the works of Caravaggio to marvel at Renaissance art, a walk through Italian style may be just as important in understanding Italian sophistication.
Just off Via Tourbuoni in Piazza Santa Trinita, the Salvatore Ferragamo Museum gives a closer look back at the famous designer's shoes. Audrey Hepburn, Loretta Young, and Marilyn Monroe, just to name a few, all put their feet up for Ferragamo's designs. The museum, as explained on Ferragamo's website, was formed "to show the public the history of the brand's founder and his creations – footwear viewed by museums and experts worldwide as no less than works of art." Predictably so, mostly women can be found perusing through the displays. On occasion husbands and boyfriends get dragged through high-heel heaven's history, but can be heard griping about the 5 euro entrance fee to see "just a bunch of shoes".
Santa Trinita Gelateria
While Florence happily houses some of the best, oldest and most famous gelaterias and their cones, the Santa Trinita Gelateria is relatively new to the gelato scene. Opening in March of 2008, their website lays out the mission of producing a high quality product in heart of the historic center.
With pale pink walls that Barbie would appreciate and its open glass doors facing the Ponte Santa Trinita, this gelateria gives some of the best seating to enjoy a cioccolato fondente and caffe gelato. The immediacy and head-on view of the Ponte Vecchio presents the perfect place in the area to sit with dripping gelato in the hot summer heat. Extra napkins may be needed.
Nightly stroll on Ponte Santa Trinita in Florence
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