CRACKING THE CLUES

It’s a well known fact that Florence is steeped in mystery: a procession of intriguing symbols, the secrets of a bygone dynasty, a chain of treachery and treason. Enjoy unravelling the city’s enigmas on an exciting, educational scavenger hunt.

This experience provides the perfect combination of facts and entertainment allowing both adults and young visitors to delve into the history of the Cradle of the Renaissance and gain a pleasurable and informative overview of Florentine society, culture and art. Through puzzles and quizzes, clues and solutions, anecdotes and curiosities, you will engage in a fun quest across downtown Florence and discover the backstories of its best-known monuments. Hints and explanations will be tailored to suit the age, interests and knowledge of the participants, ensuring an enlightening experience for the whole family.

Every building, statue, alley and street corner conceals a different tale waiting to be told. You will learn about Florence’s early beginnings and legendary founding under the Romans, during spring time, and find out why the lily was chosen as a symbol of the city. Emblems and coats of arms are scattered throughout the historic centre, proclaiming the wealth and prestige of Renaissance rulers and patrons. Compete to see who can spot the different designs. How many lions, dolphins and spheres can you count? Symbols are so much more than just decorative motifs. They embody secret messages, encapsulate an array of fascinating stories and shed light on the history of a family and city. Gather clues from your guide and learn how to decipher these age-old puzzles.

What a lot of compelling snippets you will absorb! Can anyone locate an elevated passageway? Snaking its way through the houses and towers of Florence, from Palazzo Vecchio to Palazzo Pitti, across the Ponte Vecchio bridge, this kilometre-long corridor was once used by the Medici rulers as a secret route. It allowed members of the family to move freely through the city without fear of being spotted while spying on their enemies or the townsfolk.

As you follow a stirring trail through Florence’s streets you will see how the real world of facts interweaves with centuries of folklore in a captivating mystery that continues to envelop this beguiling city.