Florence - Santa Maria Novella and its Neighbourhood: The Cascine
Close to the district of Santa Maria Novella there is
Porta al Prato. Porta al Prato was one of Florence`s gates that have come through the demolition of Florence city walls in 1871. The brides of the various members of the Medici family used to enter Florence in triumph from Porta al Prato followed by festive processions, heading then for Palazzo Vecchio or Palazzo Pitti.
The Cascine
Near Porta al Prato begins the park of the
Cascine, Florence biggest park. In the past, the Cascine were the Medici`s preserve. In 1776, Peter Leopold of Lorraine opened the park to the public and commissioned the building of boulevards and fountains. At the end of the 19th century, horse races began to be held in the park. Queen Victoria loved Florence and during her stays, she liked strolling in the park.
In the western part of the park rises the so-called
Monumento dell`Indiano (Monument to the Indian). A young Indian prince died in Florence in 1870 on his road from England to India. According to the precepts of his religion, he was cremated right at the confluence of the Mugnone and the Arno rivers. The fact impressed the Florentine, who four years later dedicated a statue and a monument to the Indian prince. Today, the place is known as the
Palazzetto dell`Indiano (Palace of the Indian).
