The pulsating heart of Florence is rich in churches, elegant cafes, museums, squares, and unique views in the world, making it undoubtedly one of the cities to visit at least once in a lifetime. The historic center of Florence, enclosed within the ancient layout of medieval walls, hosts the city’s most important cultural treasures and was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1982, with further expansion in 2021. Here, specifically in Por Santa Maria, just a few steps from Piazza della Signoria, stands a building less known than other Florentine monuments but no less appreciated. We are talking about the Torre degli Amidei, named after a powerful Florentine family.
Torre degli Amidei: A Testament to Florence’s Medieval Legacy
The structure was built in the 13th century commissioned by the Amidei family, which also owned other properties on the same street and was among the most prominent families in Florence at the time. The tower was then transferred first to the Gherardini and then to the Capponi. Unfortunately, today the tower appears only partially in its authentic construction. The lower part remains similar to the original, while the upper part is the result of reconstruction after the bombings by the Germans in 1944 with material from the collapse. The reconstruction of the destroyed part occurred thanks to photos and descriptions of the time and was designed by the architect Guido Morozzi. The height today is also lower than the original: like other Florentine buildings, it had to be lowered due to a new rule that set a maximum height for buildings in the city.
Dante and the Amidei: Unraveling Florence’s Literary Connections
Dante Alighieri narrates that it was the Amidei who punished Buondelmonte de’ Buondelmonti to death because he refused to marry a woman from their family; from this tragic episode, according to the supreme poet, the infamous wars between the Guelphs and Ghibellines originated. This version of the story is present on a marble slab to the right of one of the doors of the Tower, which reports the verses of Canto XVI of Paradiso. These are the words that Dante in his Magnum Opus, The Divine Comedy, has his ancestor Cacciaguida say when talking about the main Florentine families of his time: “The house from which your sorrow arose, / For the just disdain that has destroyed you / And put an end to your joyful life, / Was honored, and so were its associates; / O Buondelmonte, how wickedly you fled / His marriage because of others’ counsel!”
Torre degli Amidei Today: A Symbol of Florence’s Identity
Today, the Torre degli Amidei is considered by both Florentines and visitors a true landmark for the city, as well as one of the most interesting places to visit outside the classic tourist circuit of the historic center of Florence.
Conclusion
If you are planning a visit to Florence, perhaps a day trip from Rome and want to learn more about this city and its millennia-old history, book a tour with us for the best possible experience when visiting the city of Florence!
PHOTO CREDITS: Sailko, Via por santa maria 9r-11r, torre degli amidei, 04, CC BY 3.0
