FLORENCE: Countless Bees…

As you stroll through the streets of Florence’s historic center, you’ll come to Piazza della Santissima Annunziata, which immediately captivates visitors with its arcades, palaces, and fountains.

 

She is the very embodiment of the Florentine Renaissance spirit, and with her refined aesthetic sensibility, she inspires the rest of the city as well.

In fact, the loggia served various practical purposes in addition to its aesthetic appeal; it could be used as a marketplace, a shelter for the sick, or a place to welcome travelers.

[Buy it here] 

To enhance its charm, an imposing equestrian monument dedicated to Ferdinand I de' Medici, Grand Duke of Tuscany, was erected in the center of the square. It was a late work by Giambologna, which was later completed by his trusted pupil Pietro Tacca in 1608.

The statue was cast from bronze salvaged from the cannons of Turkish ships defeated during the military campaigns of the Order of the Knights of St. Stephen. But the curious feature of this monument is a swarm of bees on its pedestal:

The bees, arranged in precise concentric circles, are meant to represent the Florentines, who were known for their loyalty, diligence, and cooperation toward Ferdinand I.

At the center, the Grand Duchy of Tuscany and its ruler, represented by the queen bee.

At the top, the Latin motto “Maiestatis Tantum,” meaning “for His Majesty alone,” which explains why this image also became the heraldic symbol of Ferdinand I.

 

It’s not easy to figure out because their location makes it difficult to list them…

 

In the past, parents would use the trick of having their children count to calm their tantrums, promising them a reward if they managed to figure it out.

Counting the bronze bees thus became not just a trick or a game, but a genuine challenge that, to this day, still captivates both adults and children: legend has it that anyone who manages to count them strictly withouttouching them with their hands or pointing at them with their finger might be rewarded with great luck…