The Carousel at Piazza della Republica
Florence Italy
2016
by Jennifer

Keep some room in your heart for the unimaginable

be a dreamer

QUOTE: DREAM Big
Find INSPIRATION with Horses



On the Piazza della Republica, in Florence, is a carousel with 20 horses and two gilded “king’s carriages.” The carousel is made of wood and is gaily painted in reds and blues. It also boasts two flowerpots with fresh flowers in them. This is the antique carousel of the Picci family, and it goes around and around every day in November through May, from about 10 in the morning to about 8 at night.
The carousel is run by Carlo Picci, who represents the fourth generation of the family to run a carousel (the fifth generation is also doing so, and the sixth is still at the stage of riding carousels more than running them, but they seem to exhibit a healthy interest). The carousel in the Piazza della Republica dates from the beginning of the 20th century but has been lovingly restored.
The carousel is not too big, and at 20 horses it doesn’t have much capacity, but that’s all right with Carlo Picci. “This way,” he says, “there’s enough space between the horses that the mamas can stand next to the little ones while they ride.
Along with the panel stating the carousel’s ownership and antiquity, the top of the ride has panels with paintings of different Italian cities. I recognized some: Pisa, Rome, Bologna, Parma, Venice, and there were some other places I haven’t been but would now like to visit. There was no music, though, when I first visited. “It’s a little late,” said Signor Picci, “and we don’t want to disturb the people around the piazza. But go, take a ride. Go ahead!"