Florence, Italy, on shadowed, smelly and eerily silent Via Squazza:
Not a spot frequented by tourists, and, in fact, my tiny tour group makes up the only people on this narrow street. But if this door could talk, it would tell you that it was the first home to Lisa Gherardini, born June 15, 1479. She would grow up, marry a successful but cantankerous silk merchant, Francesco del Giocondo, and eventually sit for Leonardo da Vinci to become the face behind the world’s most recognizable portrait, the Mona Lisa.
After her marriage, Lisa would live with her husband, six kids and an assortment of del Giocondo extended family at their home on Via della Stufa (above), a bright, inviting street which sits in the shadow of all things Medici.
Want to see more of Mona Lisa’s Florence? Join me back on the blog tomorrow (Lisa’s 537th birthday) for my essay, Strolling Mona Lisa’s Florence.
I invite you to sign my guestbook, and to join me on Facebook, where I share often about Italy! This post first appeared on Prayers and Piazzas.
Prayers & Piazzas 
Oh I would love to go to Europe, especially Italy!!
I hope you get there one day! In the meantime, enjoy traveling virtually here — thank you for the follow!
I have indeed, Stacy. We live 6 months a year in a small medieval town in central Italy, very atmospheric, so much history & many stories. x
I love old doors too, Stacy. It’s very moving sometimes walking around and just putting your hand on an old door, getting a sense of the lives and loves of those who have passed through them. Then of course you run the risk of someone inviting you in, to be given a lot more fascinating detail than you ever thought about.
It sounds like perhaps you have found yourself in this situation before? 🙂