When people tour an iconic place like Florence, they're often dazzled by the big sights like the Duomo, Palazzo Vecchio, the Uffizi. There are so many "important" things to see, their eyes tend to filter out the details, the little extras that give nuance and life to a city like this. As they walk through the narrow streets and alleys of the old city, eagerly hunting down the next photo-op, what they miss are these teeny delights.
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| A bricked-up "wine door" © Eugene Martinez |
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| On the wall of Palazzo Vecchio by some guy with a hammer and a chisel © Eugene Martinez |
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| Via Zannetti © Eugene Martinez |
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| The Oratorio of la Madonna delle Grazie © Eugene Martinez |
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| Palazzo Medici-Riccard: stones tagged by Michelozzo for use on the facade © Eugene Martinez |
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| Church door © Eugene Martinez |
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| Portion of a Roman inscription on the Baptistry wall © Eugene Martinez |
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| An amusingly embellished letterbox slot © Eugene Martinez |
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| Alms collection box © Eugene Martinez |
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| Ancient stone walls often have secrets © Eugene Martinez |
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| Mysterious messages on the church of Sant'Ambrogio © Eugene Martinez |
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| Ancient walls tell ancient stories © Eugene Martinez |
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| A bronze banister in Palazzo Vecchio © Eugene Martinez |
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| The Tabernacle of Le Fontanelle © Eugene Martinez |
When I tour with my clients, I make sure that they see the little things as well as the big. Together, they tell the stories of the people who made and make Florence, Firenze and... Ars Opulentaland!
