The exquisite embroidery of Loretta, the legend of the three friars and the Ferragamo Museum in one of the most visited cities in Italy

She was an early girl. He was born in 1924 in Fiesolean old Etruscan settlement, a small redoubt that hides among the mountains a perfect idyllic space to fall in love with Florence (Italy) in the distance (it is only 6 kilometers).

The Bucolic Personality of Fiesole attracted Hermann Hesse, Marcel Proust y Charles Dickens Those who painted it with words.

In that mixture of Etruscan temple, theater and Roman bathrooms, the castle of Vincigliata -10 minutes by car of Fiesole -, the Villas Medici and Gamberaia and a chain of suggestive vineyards, Loretta Caponi drew his first stitches.

It was the oldest of four brothers and, As soon as he turned 9, he began to help keep the family with his embroidery.

At 14 he sold his first job at order. At 25 years he arrived with his works To Rome, where surprised by the sophisticated mixture of art and crafts.

At that time he met Dino, a painter who immersed her even more in the world of art and intellectuality. He opened his first store in Burgo Ognissanti, in Florencia, in 1967. What began as a job for love would become a Phenomenal commercial successwith Loretta acclaimed as the Queen of the Embroidery of Italy.

Loretta created Frieved sleeves With their magical stitches spinning architecture about the fabric and necklines with blown. Embroidered in cotton, linen and organic silks. Those pieces for all ages and styles.

Until the Rocco Forte Challenge, a super -lust hotels chainowned by Sir Rocco Forte, his sister Olga Polizzi and his children Lydia, Irene and Charles.

There, chef Fulvio Pierangelini, whose philosophy focuses on perfecting authentic local products, imagined that The tablecloths I had to accompany that premise.

The embroidery of Loretta, whose entrepreneurship is in the hands of the third generation headed by his grandson Guido Conti Caponidressed the tables with tablecloths, table, table paths and hand embroidered by hand with the centennial technique of the dusta technique that, according to specialists from the Prime Institute in the Journal of Cultural Heritage is the one that would have used Leonardo da Vinci To work on the Mona Lisa.

“It consists of drawing the image on a mold to then pierce its contour with a punch,” explained Loretta, “where coal powder is poured to transfer the design.”

“Pale green beans, peas and asparagus; the white of the ricota and the cheeses; And the colors of the strawberries and truffles were my inspiration, ”he said. During his life – he murdered in 2015 – Loretta created more than 20,000 design

That is One of the many little known stories in the city of Florence. The princess of art, the monarch of the landscape, the sovereign of historical traditions, the celebration of unsurpassed cuisine.

How is it going to be one of the most chosen destinations in the world! It is the imperishable bride, the one who conquers in its tangled streets and the bridges that cross the harnohis picturesque shops, his undulating walk of small hills and that great feeling of having everything close.

Salvatore Ferragamothe famous Shoes creatorit is part of the essence of the city. Here his first store opened and is the museo (Piazza di Santa Trinita, 5r, 18 €) que save all your hms, projects and hundreds of photographs of the celebrities he put on.

But it is also the place where his family opened the first gem of his Hotel series inspired by his work with design by Florentino architect Michele Bönan.

Are Gold coffee It is the Perfect site to show with Ponte Vecchio in the backgroundideal to see tourists pass while one simulates not being and taking the Best city selfie.

Cerquita from there the most famous work of Filippo Brunelleschi: the cúpula de la iglesia en la square of the Duomo. A little visited appeal there is the Opera Museum which exhibits art created for the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore with a collection of medieval and Renaissance works (entrance from € 15).

En square of San Pancrazio, if Encuentra Manufacturesophisticated bar of drinks. The perfect choice is the Conte Camillo (€ 12), a version of the Negroni that changes the Campari for Bitter Fusetti and Operarossa.

Four Seasons hides inside one of the most incredible gardens in the city And in the fresco, his bar in front of the pool, is a perfect place for a sandwich club, a paste or a pizza.

Not far away, Tabacchi manufacture eg ahora a cultural center established in an old tobacco factory. The night is always busy: an exhibition, a recital or a play can be an experience between premises.

Although you try not to get carried away by the classics, David that Miguel Ángel carved in a single marble block 5 centuries ago when he was 26 years old is almost mandatory in the Academy gallery (€ 29).

But if you get early to National Museum of Bargello In the historic center, you are likely to meet another David. Donatel’s biblical bronze statue shines on the second floor of the museum, located in a twelfth -century monumental fortress with a beautiful stone patio (€ 14). Do not miss a third David, this one in marble, also from Donatello.

Tuscany in general, and Florence in particular, represent a artisanal corner of the world. Therefore, finding a place where the local and genuine shows itself is a great step for every tour. At the east of Via dei Neri there is a perfect example: Florence Factory, clothing, jewelry and leather goods of local hands.

A previous stop on the way to Ponte Vecchio, is the inevitable Uffizi Gallery (€ 25), the most famous in Florence, has fantastic works of Botticelli, including the birth of Venus, but if you continue with the idea of ​​revealing yourself to the classics, you can stop in its architecture, designed by the Italian artist Giorgio Vasari: it is it moving

A little further, crossing the Arno, is the Mercado are looking for in Piazza Santo Spiritoideal for exploring the positions that sell ancient Italian sun glasses, Florentino style stationery, Pecorino Toscano and Taralli frescos.

About 20 more minutes on foot can lead to Via di Bellosguardowith access to a Natural viewpoint which paints bells and terracotta roofs of a single flicker.

If there is desire for adventure and hiking In Florence, the hills invite to be traveled. For those who are encouraged an hour for a walk, San Miniato expects to the mountain (free), a surprising Romanesque basilica overlooking the Tuscan capital from the top from a very unconventional angle. On Sundays and holidays you can attend the Gregorian song ceremony from 10 in the morning until 17.30.

Back to the center, considering that the Duomo takes all popularity, the second largest dome in Florence usually goes unnoticed. The Medici chapel (From € 7.75) it is flooded with marble and gleaming jewels that seem taken from a film. If you can look away from the magnificent frescoes, direct the smallest chapel to see some of the most beautiful statues carved by nothing less than Miguel Ángel.

About 20 minutes on foot, give a chance to the Basilica of Santa Croce (from € 8), a Italian Gothic Temple Raised in the city of Florence. It began to be built on May 3, 1294. The Tombs by Miguel Ángel and Galileo, in addition to the chapels painted by Giotto.

To say goodbye to the city an incredible place awaits you, with surprise included, in The legend of the friars.

It was originally born in the abbey of Isola in Siena and takes its name from the legend linked to this place: One July night, three friars picked up the best outbreaks of their garden and ate and drank so much that they began to sing and dance without stopping until the next day. Even today, in the old convent, they say that On July 11 you can hear the echoes of the friars drunk from the fruits of his land.

Abbadia Isola It was for the Chefs Filippo Saporito y Ombretta Giovannini A research and experimentation center on Tuscan gastronomy. Today the restaurant La Leggenda Dei Frati is in the garden of Villa Bardini in the old stables of the house of the Stefano Bardini art collector, a museum linked to the restaurant from whose terrace the city is hugged in a single look. Just sit and enjoy the view, while the tasting comes.

Son Unmissable desserts: one is David’s face; The other, a Florence profile, including a corporeal dome of Tiramisu.