On the occasion of the seventh centenary of Dante's death, I would like to suggest an itinerary including some of the most important places of Florence at Dante's time.We will start from the beautiful Church of Santa Maria Novella where the Domenicans run a studium open even to lay people, which was attended by Dante.The visit of the church will be focused on the frescoes in the Spanish Chapel, celebrating the Domenican order and showing the Liberal Arts.Walking to the Duomo, we will admire the precious Baptistery, where Dante was baptized.Then I will tell you a curious anecdote in front of the famous Sasso di Dante (Dante's stone). While passing through the narrow streets of the most ancient part of the city, I will tell the stories of the policatical factions led by the families of the Cerchi and the Donati. Entering a narrow vaulted passage we will reach Dante district with the Church of Santa Margherita dei Cerchi, where, according to the tradition, Dante got married, then his home, the so called Casa di Dante ( Dante's house). The tower, strongly rebuilt is now a nice museum, the nearby lower building is a false reconstruction belonging to the beginning of the XX century. The Torre della Castagna (Chestnut tower) was the first seat of the Florentine Government, in front of it the Oratorio di San Martino, seat of an ancient Confraternity. Heading toward the district of Santa Croce, I will show the old church of Badia Fiorentina and the Bargello, the old palace of Justice of the medioeval Florence. The tour will end inside the world famous Church of Santa Croce, in front of Dante's cenotaph, just restored for this important celebration. Book a private tour with your offcial licensed tourist guide of Florence and enjoy the tour!
