Dante Alighieri has been one of the most important Italian personalities in world history. Poet, prose writer, literary theorist, moral philosopher, political thinker… Basically known as the father of the Italian language. He was born and raised in Florence, a city which turned out to be highly inspirational for such a master, that had very present where he came from.
"Dante meets Beatrice at Ponte Santa Trinita" (Florence), Henry Holiday, 1883.
He admired every single corner of Florence and its surroundings. Something natural, given the special charm of the area. He even left a trace in his master piece, the Divina Commedia (the Divine Comedy), relating to a beautiful area nearby Florence known as Galluzzo. An allusion in his monumental work (which can be found in the song XVI of Paradise (vv. 52-55)), making reference to the charm of local people along with a nostalgic undertone.
“Oh quando fora meglio esser vicine
quelle genti ch’io dico, ed al Galluzzo
ed a Trespiano aver vostro confine”.
[“Oh how much better would it be being close
to those people I say, and at Galluzzo
and Trespiano have your boundary.”]
And Galluzzo quite deserved the quote. With uncertain origins, it enjoys a privileged location in the southern extremity of the Florentine province at the top of a beautiful hillside. It is well known for the Carthusian monastery, founded in 1342 by Niccolò Acciaioli.
Santa Lucia Church, Palazzo del Podestà or the Everest Theatre make up part of what Galluzzo has to offer. A nice promenade, away from the city stress. An unforgettable experience that can be accomplished with a stay at the best luxury hotel in Florence: Il Salviatino.
