I have been blessed to have traveled to over forty-eight countries across six continents, yet there is just one country that continues to capture my heart and imagination; beautiful Italy.

Whether I am wandering the narrow Medieval streets of Assisi, the romantic alleyways of Venice, or the bustling boulevards of Rome, Italy never ceases to amaze me. Every time I visit , I discover something new.

As a history teacher, I devour nuggets of little known facts and historical details; filing these hidden gems away into my human hard drive is a personal passion of mine. When traveling, discovering fascinating tidbits becomes as rewarding as a treasure hunt. Whether it is your first time traveling to Italy or your fifteenth, here are some fun facts that will deepen your appreciation when you visit these national artistic and architectural landmarks.

FLORENCE

You cannot travel to Italy without taking a few days to savor the artistic master pieces of the birth-place of the Renaissance. Florence is an essential stop on any Italian itinerary. Every winding turn peels back a layer of history waiting to be discovered by the curious traveler. When visiting Florence, you cannot escape the ever-present influence from Florence’s most powerful Renaissance families, de’Medici.

The de' Medici family controlled, shaped and monopolized all aspects of Florentine life: government, commerce, art, society, culture, and architecture. One of the family's lasting legacies is a secret corridor that most tourists walk past, unknowingly, everyday. Commissioned by Cosimo de Medici, in 1564, the Vasari Corridor, designed by, Giorgio Vasari, connects the Palazzo Pitti to Palazzo Vecchio. This elevated corridor, which is nearly 1 kilometer in length, snakes its way unassumingly through the streets of Florence. Sadly, most tourists walk directly under the secret corridor never realizing the historical gem that looms above their heads.

The de' Medici's used the secret corridor to walk to their offices, known in Italian as, the Uffizi's. Every day they would walk above the streets of Florence. Legend has it, they would use the corridor to avoid such things as curious onlookers; eavesdrop on the local patrons as they went about their day, and even to avoid any enemies that may pose as a potential threat.

To accommodate the corridor, the beloved Ponte Vecchio, the famous artisan bridge that crosses over the Arno River, was forced to convert from a butchers' bridge to a goldsmith's lane; thus, eradicating any offensive odor that the Medici's may encounter.

After centuries of use, the Vasari Corridor took on a new role in history. In 1938 Benito Mussolini was at the peak of his fascist rule, and he desperately wanted to impress his formidable ally, Adolf Hitler. In preparation of Hitler's visit to Florence, Mussolini commanded that a gallery of full-length windows be carved out into the west wall of the corridor. Mussolini wanted to make sure that Hitler would have the best view overlooking Florence even if it meant compromising the historical integrity of the original structure. Well...it worked.

Hitler was so mesmerized by the beauty overlooking the city, that when he knew he was destined to lose the war, and the Ally forces were advancing towards Florence; Hitler ordered that every bridge, save for the Ponte Vecchio, be bombed; thus, saving Florence's cherished gem.

The next time you find yourself in Florence allow yourself to be curious, and go beyond the typical attractions. Let history be your tour guide. Also, make sure that you look up because you never know what sort of secret treasures may be lurking in the most unexpected locations.

Have you ever dreamed of visiting Italy with your kiddos? Join our family as we world school together. Click on the link to learn all about our next trip to Italy.

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