Two Head Choppers in Florence - Art - Tourist Infos - Fun.

Florence. What have I to add? One of the most famous city in the world for its art, its history, its beauty. Ok, end of the ad. :)

I live very close to Florence, so I've been there hundreds of times. The last time, a few days ago, I took some photos to tell you a few stories. The streets and the squares of Florence are filled with ancient statues. Each one of them tells a story. When you walk down the streets of Florence, you read a book about antiquity. Not only that, of course.

In the square called Piazza della Signoria there are many famous sculptures. Here are some of them.

This is Perseus with the Head of Medusa (1545), by Benvenuto Cellini. Perseus was a demigod, son of Zeus. It was predicted that he would have killed his grandfather Acrisius, king of Argos. So grandad locked up the future Perseus' mom, Danae, in a tower. But Zeus, king of all gods, you know... hop! And so Perseus was born. 

Grandad was unhappy and so put Danae and his nephew in a wooden box and let it adrift in the sea. Obviously mom and son were saved, and so Perseus, many years later, could kill his grandad and become king of Argos. 

Before of that, Perseus should rid his mother of a pushy suitor. To do that, he went to kill Medusa, one of the monstrous Gorgons. After having obtained some magic weapons blackmailing the Graeae nymphs - winged sandals, a magic bag and the helmet of  invisibility - Perseus killed Medusa and took her head - an head with eyes that petrified people. 

Whit the petrifying head in his magic bag, Perseus turned a lot of people to stone. And consider that he was one of the good guys! :) Ok, in greek mithology no one is totally good or evil, you know.

And here is another head chopper: Judith cutting of Holofernes' head (1457) is a masterwork by Donatello. Judith's history is in the Bible, another amazing source of stories.

The Assyrian general Holofernes besieged the city of Bethulia, where Judith lived. She went into the enemy encampment, entered Holofernes' tent, seduced him and got him drunk. Then cut his head off and went back into the city. The Assyrians found their general dead and beheaded, got scared to death and - woosh! -scarpered. City saved.

These are just 2 of those statues. I will tell you more stories in another post. :)