Dante's Plaque: Visdomini's House and Tower

“COSÌ FACIENO LI PADRI DI COLORO, CHE, SEMPRE CHE LA VOSTRA CHIESA VACA, SI FANNO GRASSI STANDO A CONSISTORO”

DANTE, PARAD., XVI, 112-114

SO LIKEWISE DID THE ANCESTORS OF THOSE WHO EVERMORE, WHEN VACANT IS YOUR CHURCH, FATTEN BY STAYING IN CONSISTORY.

Dante's verses refer to the Visdomini family. Along with other families, they were in charge of the vacant episcopal see (while waiting for a new bishop to be appointed), which enriched them and took considerable benefits.

The building still retains its ancient features, with the façade decorated with granite panels, interbedded with sections of phytomorphic elements. The terrace was added later. Next to the building stands the tall medieval tower on which the plaque is affixed.

To learn more about the tower-houses of Florence click here