Day Trips and Excursions :: FROM SAVONAROLA TO MICHELANGELO

FROM SAVONAROLA TO MICHELANGELO
A Walking Tour of Gay Florence

Meet your specialized expert local guide in the virtual homoerotic pantheon of the Piazza della Signoria, surrounded by the nude Ercole, Neptune, David and Perseo. Together you will trace the development of the famed ‘vizio fiorentino’ - or intellectualized homosexuality - which so permeated the life of Renaissance Florence. See the spot were fanatical preacher Girolamo Savonarola was burned alive for - among other things - attempting to eradicate that pervasive homosexuality of the Florentine youth of his day…and just a stone’s throw away the Baldracca district where those same randy Florentines found the temporary company of ladies… or comely boys. Then proceed to today’s trendy gay district - the Santa Croce - abounding with interesting anecdotes of the famous gay artists who once resided here from Leonardo to Cellini to Antonio Bazzi - nicknamed Il Sodoma! Visit the tomb of the greatest gay artist of all time, Michelangelo Buonarroti in the magnificent Franciscan Church of Santa Croce. Then wander the medieval streets of the Cathedral district where literally every step yields a story.
You will visit the historic Palazzo Medici and the delightful Gozzoli Chapel where you learn about the proclivities of the gay members of that illustrious family including the Grand Duke Gian Gastone - the debaucheries of whose private “club” were infamous.
Then proceed through the fashion district to the meeting place of today’s chic gay Florentines, the Giubbe Rosse, in Piazza della Repubblica where our tour concludes.