Cycle
down the interesting, never-ending Via de’ Macci which
starts from Via San Guiseppe and ends at the Piazza Sant’
Ambrogio. Imagine warring medieval lords in a merciless
battle which ended with the Guelphs winning over the Macci
family. Chased to the poorest quarter of Santa Croce, the
Macci family gathered whatever they had left and built a
hospital. Go into the history of the Macci family and enter
the convent with its inscribed name, ‘Auxilium Christianorum’
(in aid of Christians), that they built for Franciscan nuns
who cared for unwed mothers, divorced and unhappily married
women. |
Stand
at the corner of the street and observe old and new descriptive
street signs. Some of them are, Via da Pentolini (pans),
Via del Borghetto (small street) and Via del Crocifisso
(of the Cross). You will find stone plaques embedded into
the walls of houses as a reminder of the levels of the Great
Flood of 1966.
Amaze the mind with the world of exquisite craft. See the
old experienced craftsmen beveling glass to fit into doors
and windows or restoring furniture. Walk on and find at
No. 82, a colorful vibrant papier mache workshop of a young
artisan. Get introduced to Paolo Carandini, the master leather
craftsman with his fantastic leather and parchment which
reflects the Florentine antique style but which has been
modernized to suit changing trends. Look at the quaint workshop
of the button dyers toiling over bubbling cauldrons.
Walk to the end of the road between Via de’ Macci
and Sant’ Ambrogio Square and meet the amazing tripe
vendor in his little van and enjoy a delicious tripe dish
or stroll down to the corner to “Il Cibreo’
the ideal place for a discerning palate. |
