5 things you probably don’t know about Florence if you’re not
from there (and even if you are, you still might not)
Are you planning a trip to Florence and think you’ve done your homework? These little curiosities are almost guaranteed to surprise you. Whether it’s your first visit or you’re returning to the city, Florence has a way of hiding secrets in plain sight and rewarding those who take the time to look closer.
Florence is one of those cities that captures your heart instantly. As the birthplace of the Renaissance, it overflows with art, history and character at every turn. Walking through its streets feels like wandering through an open-air museum. And yet, beneath all that beauty lie stories that even lifelong Florentines may not know.
In this BYPILLOW article, we share five curiosities that are likely unfamiliar if you’re not from Florence… and possibly even if you are. Because Florence always has one more unexpected detail waiting to be discovered.
The window that never closes at Palazzo Grifoni
In Piazza Santissima Annunziata, there’s a detail most visitors walk past without noticing: a window that is never shut. Ever.
This window, part of Palazzo Grifoni, has remained open day and night for centuries. The reason lies in a story that is as poetic as it is tragic.
Legend has it that during one of Florence’s many wars, a young soldier left for the front, leaving his beloved behind in the palace. Full of hope, she would wait by the window each day, watching the square and longing for his return.
But he never came back. It’s said that she died still waiting, her gaze fixed on the distance. Out of respect for her unwavering love, the window has remained open ever since, a symbol of eternal hope.
Now you know. Next time you cross the square, look up at that window and you might just feel the story still lingering in the air.
And remember: at BYPILLOW you’ll find hotels right in the heart of Florence, perfectly placed to soak up its beauty and its secrets.
Michelangelo’s hidden sculpture carved into a wall
Florence is Michelangelo. And Michelangelo is Florence. His work is everywhere: the David (the original in the Accademia Gallery, the replica in Piazza della Signoria), sculptures, reliefs, sketches. But there’s one particularly curious piece that few people know about. It’s not in a museum. It isn’t signed. It’s carved into a wall.
As you walk through Piazza della Signoria, facing the Palazzo Vecchio, stop near the main entrance and look closely at a worn section of stone. At eye level, you’ll notice the faint profile of a human face carved into the wall. Subtle, almost invisible at first glance, yet undeniably there. According to legend, it was carved by Michelangelo himself… with his hands behind his back.
The story goes that the artist was listening to an official who simply wouldn’t stop talking. To pass the time, Michelangelo began carving the face one-handed, without even looking. Truth, myth or Renaissance humour? No one knows for sure. But the tale has been passed down through generations and is now firmly woven into Florence’s folklore.
The oldest pharmacy still in operation in the world
In the historic centre, just a short walk from Santa Maria Novella station, you’ll find a place steeped in centuries of history: the Officina Profumo-Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella. It is widely considered the oldest pharmacy in the world still in operation.
Founded in 1221 by Dominican monks from the nearby convent, it originally produced herbal remedies and perfumes for Florence’s nobility. Natural ingredients, medicinal plants and closely guarded formulas were at the heart of its work.
Over time, its reputation spread far beyond the city walls. Its perfumes reached European courts, and legend has it that Catherine de’ Medici took some of its formulas with her to France. Artists, physicians and curious travellers all made it a must-see destination.
Today, the pharmacy remains open and feels like a temple of scent and history. You’ll find fragrances, soaps, essential oils and creams still made using traditional methods. Best of all, the interior has barely changed over the centuries, offering a true step back in time.
The Duomo’s bull: a cheeky joke carved in stone
Florence Cathedral, Santa Maria del Fiore, better known as the Duomo, is one of Europe’s most breathtaking landmarks. But hidden among its grandeur is a rather mischievous story.
On one of the cathedral’s side façades, the one facing Via Ricasoli, you’ll spot a bull’s head carved into the stone. At first glance it looks decorative, but legend tells a different tale.
According to popular lore, during the cathedral’s construction, one of the workers was having an affair with the wife of a local merchant. When the husband discovered the affair, the scandal led to the worker being dismissed. As an act of revenge and with a sharp sense of humour, he carved the bull’s head facing directly towards the merchant’s home, a not-so-subtle reference to the “horns” he’d been given.
So next time you’re there, look up. Florence has a sense of humour, and it’s carved in marble.
Florence was the first European city to pave its streets
One final curiosity that often goes unnoticed: in the 14th century, while most European cities were still little more than mud and dirt, Florence became the first city in Europe to pave its streets.
This was a major step forward for mobility, hygiene and urban planning. Paved streets made the city cleaner, improved trade and transport, and reinforced an image of order and progress that perfectly matched Florence’s cultural and artistic golden age.
Book your hotel in the centre of Florence with BYPILLOW
As this article shows, Florence is made up of hidden details, quiet legends and unexpected stories. It’s a city to explore slowly, to look up, to get lost on purpose and allow yourself to be surprised.
If you’re planning a trip to this Italian gem, choose one of our hotels in the centre of Florence. BYPILLOW Goldoni is ideally located and thoughtfully designed, offering the perfect base for your stay. This family-run hotel provides everything you need to enjoy Florence in comfort and style, and to create truly unforgettable memories in Italy.
Whether it’s your first visit or you were born within its walls, keep your eyes wide open. Florence always has one more secret to share.