Two fun facts to discover while wandering around Florence
Florence is truly a jewel in the open air. There are images of Florence that everyone has in their eyes and hearts. We recognize our panorama everywhere because it is celebrated in a thousand different ways. But there are places in our city that are not immediately known and tell something of how we Florentines are. So today we talk about some facts that even some florentines don't know.
La Berta
Along the Via de 'Cerretani is the church's bell tower of Santa Maria Maggiore. If we look up from the wall, a stone face of a woman emerges. She is "la Berta." But, as always, the tradition is not set in stone, so there are various versions of this woman's real identity.
The first remembers her as a benefactress who paid with all her money for the church bell. Nothing exciting, to be honest. The second version, however, much older, dates back to 1327, when the alchemist Cecco d'Ascoli was sentenced to death for witchcraft. While they were taking him to Piazza Santa Croce to be burned alive, the woman, looking out over the bell tower, shouted at the condemned man who asked for water. She claimed that being a sorcerer if he drank, he would save himself by using his power and managing not to burn. Enraged by the woman's wickedness, the condemned man cursed her by turning her into stone in the same place from which he still looks at us today.
The hidden portrait
Piazza Della Signoria and its Palazzo Vecchio are arguably among the most popular places in Florence for Florentines and tourists. When you're there, it is worth looking at the wall of the Palace to the right of the David, on the side that goes towards the Uffizi Gallery. You will see a face carved in stone, while their features are just hinted at. The author of this unique portrait is Michelangelo. The famous artist was in that corner, constantly stopped by a creditor who asked him to account for debt and plagued him with his problems. It is said that Michelangelo, pretending to listen to and talk to him, with his hands behind his back, portrayed him, thus delivering him to history.
Since 1871
The history of Biscioni Gioielli started in 1871, and it's a tale about tradition and craftsmanship, intertwined to form a design whose contours are the same as the Florence skyline.
The Workshop
In a market-oriented foreign production, Biscioni Gioielli still crafts its jewels in its artisan workshop on Ponte Vecchio, faithful to its Italian excellence roots.
Atelier
Jewels are the opportunity to hold a dream in your hands, wear it, and recognize it in the admiring gaze of those who see it—a hidden yet full of meanings treasure.
