Do you know a secret passage?

Do you know a secret passage?
 

A secret passage joins the two banks of the river Arno: the "Torre della Zecca" and "Porta San Niccolò" compose a strong structure since Middle Ages! A real abandoned city twists and turns underground among narrow galleries, dark passages and unexplored tunnels. Why were these two constructions joined? Because they closed the city of Florence on the east side composing a real fortress!
The "Torre della Zecca" was the place where the Florin was minted. Florence had its own money from 1252 to 1531 when the duke Alessandro abolished it. The image of S. John the Baptist was impressed on it together with the lily, the symbol of the city. "Porta S Niccolò" was one of the doors of the city-walls Arnolfo di Cambio built from 1284. It is still today the only door that preserves its original height.  it's opening from next 24th June until the end of September. You can enjoy a wonderful landscape and an unforgettable sight of the city from the top of the tower!
In 1877 the secret passage was accessible: four thousands and five hundreds of people crossed it paying twenty-five cents each one!
During the second World War the passage became a shelter: here a group of boys in 1950s found the body of a dead man, a Fascist: he held a knife in his hand and a silver eagle decorated it.

 

Altri articoli
A XVII century giant in a secret garden
A XVII century giant in a secret garden

The monster imprisoned Ulysses and his friends in a grotto to eat them.

Clarice Orsini
Clarice Orsini

Chosen as Lorenzo de' Medici's bride in 1467, the marriage solidified the Medici family's political influence and resulted in nine children.

Legendary florentine character, La Berta
Legendary florentine character, La Berta

A Roman fragment in the heart of Florence.

Do you know a secret passage?
Do you know a secret passage?

In 1877 the secret passage was accessible: four thousands and five hundreds of people crossed it paying twenty-five cents each one!