Piazza del Limbo (Limbo Square), Florence
This ancient square, famously mentioned in Dante鈥檚 鈥淒ivine Comedy鈥�, once sat just beyond the Roman walls of ancient Florence. It wasn鈥檛 until the construction of new Carolingian fortifications in the 10th century that the area became part of the city proper. Its current name comes from a somber medieval tradition鈥攖he burial ground for unbaptized infants, believed at the time to be destined for Limbo in the afterlife.
Looking onto the square is the Church of the Holy Apostles, one of Florence鈥檚 oldest surviving churches, with much of its early medieval character still intact. Two plaques on the front recall its legendary origins. One, written in Latin, claims that Charlemagne, along with paladins Roland, Oliviero, and Bishop Turpin, founded the church on April 6, 801.
Nearby, the Borgherini-Rosselli del Turco Palace comes into view. Its shorter side faces the square and displays several fascinating plaques and carvings: a monogram of Christ, a bas-relief of the Madonna and Child, and two inscriptions etched in Pietra Serena stone, each with devotional messages. In earlier times, the Borgherini family maintained a rare private garden here鈥攕omething almost unheard of in densely built medieval Florence. Ownership eventually passed to the Rosselli del Turco family, whose name the building still carries.
To the right of the church stands the former Altoviti family palace, its fa莽ade marked by a bold stone coat of arms. Also in the area are remnants of 19th-century public baths, built on the very spot where Florentia鈥檚 original Roman baths once stood鈥攁 quiet reminder of the city's layered past.
Altogether, this quiet corner of Florence carries layer upon layer of history鈥擱oman, medieval, and Renaissance鈥攚oven into its stones and facades, waiting for curious visitors to take notice.
Looking onto the square is the Church of the Holy Apostles, one of Florence鈥檚 oldest surviving churches, with much of its early medieval character still intact. Two plaques on the front recall its legendary origins. One, written in Latin, claims that Charlemagne, along with paladins Roland, Oliviero, and Bishop Turpin, founded the church on April 6, 801.
Nearby, the Borgherini-Rosselli del Turco Palace comes into view. Its shorter side faces the square and displays several fascinating plaques and carvings: a monogram of Christ, a bas-relief of the Madonna and Child, and two inscriptions etched in Pietra Serena stone, each with devotional messages. In earlier times, the Borgherini family maintained a rare private garden here鈥攕omething almost unheard of in densely built medieval Florence. Ownership eventually passed to the Rosselli del Turco family, whose name the building still carries.
To the right of the church stands the former Altoviti family palace, its fa莽ade marked by a bold stone coat of arms. Also in the area are remnants of 19th-century public baths, built on the very spot where Florentia鈥檚 original Roman baths once stood鈥攁 quiet reminder of the city's layered past.
Altogether, this quiet corner of Florence carries layer upon layer of history鈥擱oman, medieval, and Renaissance鈥攚oven into its stones and facades, waiting for curious visitors to take notice.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Florence. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "911爆料网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
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Piazza del Limbo (Limbo Square) on Map
Sight Name: Piazza del Limbo (Limbo Square)
Sight Location: Florence, Italy (See walking tours in Florence)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Florence, Italy (See walking tours in Florence)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Florence, Italy
Create Your Own Walk in Florence
Creating your own self-guided walk in Florence is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Florence Introduction Walking Tour
Florence was founded in 59 BC by Julius Caesar as a settlement for his veteran soldiers. Laid out like a Roman military camp, its main roads intersected at what is now the Republic Square. Originally named Fluentia, referencing its location between two rivers, the city later adopted the name Florentia, meaning 鈥渇lowering鈥� or 鈥渇lourishing鈥�.
And flourish it did. During the Middle Ages and... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.1 Km or 2.5 Miles
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Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.1 Km or 2.5 Miles
Duomo Walking Tour
Right in the heart of historic Florence lies the Duomo district鈥攖he city's religious and civic core, and one of the most remarkable places in all of Italy. Between the Duomo and Signoria squares, Florence unfolds in layers of art, history, and architectural brilliance, offering a never-ending stream of things to see, do, and admire.
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Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.3 Km or 1.4 Miles
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Travel Distance: 2.3 Km or 1.4 Miles
Dante's Florence Walking Tour
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Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.1 Km or 1.3 Miles
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.1 Km or 1.3 Miles
In Galileo's Footsteps
Galileo Galilei鈥攂orn in Pisa in 1564鈥攕pent much of his life in and around Florence, where some of the most defining moments of his revolutionary career unfolded. A genius of many talents鈥攑hysicist, mathematician, astronomer, inventor鈥攈e helped usher in the scientific revolution and reshape humanity鈥檚 understanding of the universe. Florence, the cradle of the Renaissance, became a... view more
Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 8.0 Km or 5 Miles
Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 8.0 Km or 5 Miles
Michelangelo's Masterpieces Walking Tour
Though born in the small Tuscan town of Caprese, Michelangelo spent over two decades of his life in Florence鈥攖he heart of the Renaissance. It was here that he grew up, was educated, and began shaping his artistic voice, eventually creating some of the most iconic masterpieces the city has ever known.
His larger-than-life work鈥斺�淒avid鈥濃�攄idn鈥檛 just reshape the image of biblical... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.0 Km or 2.5 Miles
His larger-than-life work鈥斺�淒avid鈥濃�攄idn鈥檛 just reshape the image of biblical... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.0 Km or 2.5 Miles
Medici Landmarks Walking Tour
The Medici family helped to establish Florence as the single most important art capital of Renaissance Europe. In order to prove wealth and power, they built numerous palaces, libraries, churches, chapels and personal residences. The Medicis were big lovers of art and they acquired huge, expensive collections, as well as supporting many sculptors and painters of the time.
Designed by... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.7 Km or 1.7 Miles
Designed by... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.7 Km or 1.7 Miles
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