A Walk Through One of Florence’s Hidden Treasures 

 

written by Jack Wardynski for SPEL: Journalism

 

From the top of Piazzale Michelangelo, one can see what seems like Florence in its entirety. The maroon tiles lining the city’s rooftops stretch into the far distance, occasionally broken up by monoliths like the Duomo and Piazza della Signoria. Cars and pedestrians flow along the path of the Arno River that bisects the historic city into its northern and southern segments. On a clear day, like it was on this particular Friday, a beautiful blue sky blooms above a crowd of tourists and sightseers, with the cloudline blanketing the hills to the north.

 

The students in Florence University of the Arts’ Health and Fitness Walks class take in these sights while simultaneously catching their breath after a 45 minute, one-and-a-half mile walk (uphill) to reach the palazzo. This course, taught by Fabrizio Polloni, promotes physical activity for FUA students and also pushes them to see sides of the city they probably would not otherwise.

 

“We will get to know the city through walks,” Polloni declared. “Most of the students, they come here, they can spend a semester, but they only know certain places… with this (class), they absolutely will know everything.”

 

It is difficult to imagine, when standing in Piazzale Michelangelo, that there could be an even better vantage point of Florence, but Polloni assures the class there is one. Thus, after a brief stop for photos with the replica of Michelangelo’s David, another walking session begins, first along Viale Galileo and then through Parco della Rimembranza.

 

This is just the latest in a series of walking tours that the class has taken during the three week intensive session. The students have seen many of Florence’s most famous sights, and others that are lesser known but equally impressive. 
“I remember two places he took us,” said Morgan Falconer, one of the students. “The place where the Medici family used to keep their horses, and it’s now a high school. He also took us to the stadium where the Florence soccer team (Fiorentina) plays.”

 

The stable-turned-high-school is Liceo Artistico Statale di Porto Romana e Sesto Fiorentino, just outside of Giardino di Boboli south of the river. Fiorentina plays on the opposite end of the city at Stadio Artemio Franchi. Students who enroll in this class are given the opportunity to explore the historic city from all different angles.

 

The class stops below a bronze statue of an Italian infantryman, dedicated to the Florentines who lost their lives in World War I. Polloni takes the opportunity to regale his class with details of Florence in the past. Originally, students studying abroad were housed in villas south of the city, many of which are visible from this spot. Eventually, the change was made to bring the students into the city center and closer to the heart of Florence.

 

“I think it’s nice that (Polloni) has lived here his whole life, so he knows a lot about the city,” said Falconer.

 

 

“He’s a very youthful spirit, he’s intelligent, he’s fun, he’s funny,” revealed Mary Craddock, another member of the class.

 

The journey continues through the rows of trees that weave through Parco della Rimembranza. Along the way, Polloni continues with stories of his childhood: his days as a devoted soccer player, when he got his first scooter, and even how he used to skip school to come visit places like the one his class will soon arrive at. The students take advantage of the hike to snap photos of the beautiful Tuscan countryside, as the morning sun shines down on rolling hills and green olive trees.

 

Around eight thousand steps into the day, the class arrives at its ultimate destination: Basilica di San Miniato al Monte. The church’s faded white and green facade towers above the hillside, overlooking the surrounding cemetery and the city far below. From up here, the view from Piazzale Michelangelo seems almost quaint; Florence rolls out even further than before, and the city appears somehow more three-dimensional. A wandering tabby cat perches itself on a column, enjoying the view with the class.

 

Inside the basilica are the typical Italian standards: beautiful frescoes, elaborate carvings, and rows of elegant marble columns. Polloni’s students are silent as they enter, taking in the beauty of the structure that they hiked miles to witness. The only audible noise within is a monk quietly sweeping the floor towards the back of the basilica. This is one of the places where Polloni sees the real beauty of his home city.

 

“I can bet 95% of the students that spend four months here, they don’t know about San Miniato al Monte,” said Polloni.

 

Back outside, the class takes one last opportunity to capture photos of the area before heading back down the steps to the city. One last lengthy trek takes them back to Via Ricasoli 21 where class will be adjourned for the week. The students’ only assignment is to submit a screenshot of their fitness tracker to show Polloni how far they walked: over 15,000 steps in under three hours.

 

Born and raised in Florence, Polloni believes the city is best experienced by simply being out and observing it in the simplest manner. He takes the opportunity to see museums and exhibits when he visits other cities, but in Florence he feels there is no need.

 

“Florence is an outside museum,” Pollino stated. “I was born here, I’m pretty old. Every time I go out I see something new walking around, that is a piece of art.” That is the core idea of the Health and Fitness Walks course: not simply to burn calories, but also to take in the birthplace of the Renaissance in its purest form. Sometimes that comes by hiking miles from home to a church on the tallest hill in the city, and sometimes that comes from taking a look around when you walk down your street.