Do you know a secret passage?

Do you know a secret passage?
 

A secret passage joins the two banks of the river Arno: the "Torre della Zecca" and "Porta San Niccolò" compose a strong structure since Middle Ages! A real abandoned city twists and turns underground among narrow galleries, dark passages and unexplored tunnels. Why were these two constructions joined? Because they closed the city of Florence on the east side composing a real fortress!
The "Torre della Zecca" was the place where the Florin was minted. Florence had its own money from 1252 to 1531 when the duke Alessandro abolished it. The image of S. John the Baptist was impressed on it together with the lily, the symbol of the city. "Porta S Niccolò" was one of the doors of the city-walls Arnolfo di Cambio built from 1284. It is still today the only door that preserves its original height.  it's opening from next 24th June until the end of September. You can enjoy a wonderful landscape and an unforgettable sight of the city from the top of the tower!
In 1877 the secret passage was accessible: four thousands and five hundreds of people crossed it paying twenty-five cents each one!
During the second World War the passage became a shelter: here a group of boys in 1950s found the body of a dead man, a Fascist: he held a knife in his hand and a silver eagle decorated it.

 

Altri articoli
The funeral mask
The funeral mask

The Dante funeral mask, once thought real, is now believed a lost sculptural portrait. Donated to Florence in 1911, found in Ravenna in 1830.

Santa Reparata and its precious remains
Santa Reparata and its precious remains

Santa reparata was destroyed only at the end of the XIV century when works for the edification of the new one were going on.

The terrestrial and celestial Gods
The terrestrial and celestial Gods

The wonderful decorations on the ceilings were commissioned by Cosimo I to Giorgio Vasari

A Mule is celebrated in the Palazzo Pitti
A Mule is celebrated in the Palazzo Pitti

The marble decoration is situated on the left part of the courtyard.