Those who are interested in finding a luxury villa in Florence and spending time in the city will quickly discover that, though there is an impossibly long list of things to see and do, it is one of those destinations where wandering around with no plan in mind can often be just as rewarding. Everywhere you turn in the historic core of the city, you will discover architectural gems, domes and church towers peeking over the skyline, works of art by great masters, impressive historic homes, renowned museums with lines stretching around the block and less famous museums tucked into old palaces, shopping streets abuzz with people and both the plush stores of well-known brands and little independent boutiques, street performers and artists earning a living with their skills, curious oddities like graffiti attributed to Michelangelo and bars where wine is delivered out to patrons through a tiny window, piazzas lined with cafes and restaurants and diners sitting out enjoying meals and coffee, and bustling markets. One spot that often combines many of these elements in one place is the Piazza del Mercato Nuovo, where you can find the Porcellino Market and the brilliant stalls selling all sorts of leather goods, a famous statue steeped in legend, regular dance parties inspired by the music played by street performers, and a gorgeous setting. So, if you have browsed our Tuscany villas and have found the perfect villa in Florence for you, then be sure to wander this direction between Tuesday and Sunday, as you explore the city.
Named for the, “piglet,” or statue of a wild boar, a distinctive feature located at the centre of the Piazza del Mercato Nuovo, the Porcellino Market has incredibly deep roots and a very long history. Dating back to the Renaissance, the market that originally took place in this New Market Square was the silk and gold market that once saw the wealthiest and noblest Florentine citizens shop among its stalls. Later a market where Florence’s famous straw hats were sold, the Porcellino Market is now mostly known for the sale of leather goods. Generally very high quality products, you will find an endless sea of leather bags, purses, wallets, belts, knick-knacks, and all sorts of accessories to browse at the market today. Boasting some incredible gems, it is certainly the market for the discerning shopper who is after some chic accessories and has found a villa with pool in Florence. Open 9am to 7pm, Tuesday to Sunday, the Porcellino Market is a true must for any fashion lover who is planning on spending time in the city.
In addition to the incredibly vast array of excellent leather goods, which is more than reason enough to visit, the Market also boasts its lovely setting in the gorgeous Renaissance loggia in the Piazza del Mercato Nuovo. The stone arcade of the loggia, carried on elegant Corinthian columns and with elaborate plinths featuring statues on the corner piers. These statues, though sculptural figures of famous Florentines were the intended occupants of the niches when the loggia was first built in the 16th century, were not actually added until the 19th century. They include Michele di Lando as depicted by Ippazio Antonio Bortone, Giovanni Villani sculpted by Gaetano Trentanove, and Bernardo Cennini created by Emilio Mancini.
At the centre of the piazza, meanwhile, is the namesake of the market, the Fontana del Porcellino, or Fountain of the Piglet. One of the most popular monuments in the city, the statue was actually replaced back in 2008 with a modern bronze copy cast by Ferdinando Marinelli Artistic Foundry in 1998 that still remains there to this day. The original statue, created by Pietro Tacca around 1633, is now kept on display in the Bardini Museum and is, in its own right, actually a bronze copy after a marble Hellenistic original statue of a boar that is also still on display in the nearby Uffizi Gallery. It is probably all for the best that it has been replaced by a copy, however, as there is a local legend that rubbing the boar’s nose brings luck and the statue has now been worn to a shine on that spot. If you decide to join in on this tradition, you should be sure to also place a coin in its mouth when you make your wish. It is said that the wish being made will be granted if the coin falls through the grate whence the water flows but, due to the slope of said grate, most do actually tend to fall through. These coins are then collected by the city. The Sydney Hospital in Sydney, Australia, has a copy of the Porcellino outside the building and people there also rub its nose for luck or wishes and drop coins. There are also copies in Belgium, France, and other spots around the world.
Another unique feature of the piazza can only be seen once the stalls and market vendor leave for the day, the so-called, “pietra dello scandalo,” or, “stone of shame.” This is a round, bicoloured marble piece inset into the ground that mimics the design of the wheel of a medieval Carroccio, (a large wagon that held city signs and around which the militia communes gathered and fought), which was a symbol of the Florentine republic and on which the city’s standard was raised each day. It was also later chosen as a spot where debtors were punished during the Renaissance by being chained to a post on the spot and paddled on the naked buttocks. For this reason, the stone is now also sometimes referred to as the, “pietra dell'acculata,” or basically, the "stone of the bum punishment".
Located only a short distance from the Ponte Vecchio and Piazza della Signoria, this brilliant market and gorgeous setting (with its rich, if somewhat strange, history and traditions) is a must for many reasons if you have found a vacation rental in Florence.
Photo credits
Picture: Rufus46 / CC BY-SA 3.0