Dante's Plaque: Portinari’s houses

SOVRA CANDIDO VEL, CINTA D' OLIVA, DONNA M' APPARVE SOTTO VERDE MANTO VESTITA DI COLOR DI FIAMMA VIVA

DANTE, PUR., XXX , 31-33

OVER HER SNOW-WHITE VEIL WITH OLIVE CINCT APPEARED A LADY UNDER A GREEN MANTLE, VESTED IN COLOUR OF THE LIVING FLAME.

Almost at the end of his journey in the Purgatorio, Dante has a vision of a woman who will later prove to be his muse, Beatrice. She is dressed in white, green and red (the colors of the theological virtues: Faith, Hope and Charity) and crowned with an olive branch - the symbol of peace and wisdom.

The plaque can be seen on the façade of Palazzo Portinari-Salviati; in this area, Folco Portinari, Beatrice's father - the founder of Santa Maria Nuova Hospital - had some houses which were transformed into a real palace during the 15th century.