Well, I’ve done it now. I can no longer look down as I walk in the streets of Florence. Why couldn’t they have thought ahead, and put all the neat stuff at eye level during the medieval and renaissance ages? Talk about inconsiderate.
Today, this is what I found for you. It’s on one of the (upper) side walls of the Chiesa Santa Maria Maggiore.
Sourced online
Is this the face of the cleric who was involved in the execution of the astrologer Francesco Stabili, and turned to stone for adding to the torture of the astrologer before his death by fire?
Or, is it that of a woman who mocked a condemned man as he was led to his execution? His curse was said to have turned her head to stone.
Well, one thing I know for sure, I don’t have the answer. But apparently this was carved around 1327, and there must have been a reason for it. And, it’s quite satisfying when you finally see the carving, so high on the side wall of the church.
Now, where did I put that ice-pack for my neck?
Hello World 
Have you tried unfolding and laying back on a sun bed Yvonne ? 🙄 ❤
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Wait, do you mean unfold the sun bed, or unfold me? You have to give more clear instructions, Ralph. ❤
Hey, is your name pronounced Rafe, as in Vaughan Williams??? 🙂
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I think unfolding both is appropriate in Florence my friend and it’s Ralph with an “L” but you can call me what you like Yvonne ….. even Yvonne if you wish 😉 ❤
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That would be silly, Ralf. There can be only one Yvonne, and I’m it. 🙂
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Yep ! I agree ! 😀
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It’s amazingly powerful for something so apparently randomly positioned.
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the faces int he wall reminded me of the door knocker that comes to life in A Christmas Carol – just does. ha! and excellent photos with such nice color of this stone and brick – and how unusual to have those figures in there e- very cool.
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It’s cool to think of how long it waited for us folks with our cameras to come along and capture it.
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yes, when you put it like that it really ads to the feel – what clever artists we had back then (and now too)
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Why again are there faces in the wall? I am a bit confused! Anyway, the crick in the neck reminds me of St. Patrick’s Cathedral in NYC. My kids and I loved the stained glass windows and the architecture, but the looking up was painful!
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It’s a quandary, Carol, in the same league with chickens crossing roads, and why?
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Something else for me to look for next time I’m there (sigh). I wonder if someone has ever tested the material holding it there to see if they can figure out if it was stuck on or built in. I guess it looks built in. Someone dragged it up by mistake and thought it would be silly not to just use it?
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I’m voting on the side that says it was built in, and I like your theory that it just happened to be in the building material that day. Maybe it was Mario of Duomo lantern fame who did this?
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Ha….ha….! though it appears his glue is working better!
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Fascinating!
Does Florence have less of a problem with dogs’ little offerings than Venice, I wonder? I always like to watch where I’m putting my feet.
A proposito, did you know the campanile on Torcello is finally open again? That will give you an opportunity to look down!
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The dog stuff seems less of a problem than a few years ago. But I’m always a flippin’ optimist.
I’m so glad the Torecello campanile is finally re-opened. I’ll have visitors while I’m in Venice, and it’s one of the places I’ll be forcing them to go! 🙂
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Excellent photos and hope you rock feels better.
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Hi, sunset. Well, it feels OK just now, but I’ll soon be hitting the pavement again. Sigh.
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Wow, imaginations running wild in medieval scenarios.
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It sure does, Old man Emu.
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Fascinating photos but oh your poor neck!
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I’d read about it in Secret Florence, but even then, it was hard to spot. I didn’t expect it to be SO far up.
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I have always said that you look up, down and all around, Y. Maybe you should layoff the up part for a while! 😄 Well spotted!
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Noooo, don’t make me give up the up, Susie! 🙂
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It must be so difficult to forever be looking up. May be the solution is taking photos of tourists footwear!
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Now, that’s not a bad idea, Gerard. Maybe it can be my mission for today.
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Planners had no idea in the old days. Have you been to Cologne? Who in their right mind would build a cathedral right next to a railway station? Good luck with the neck.
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Oh, I’ll struggle on, Andrew. You know me, old Whinge-a-lot! 🙂
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I have also been a little worried about you making a misstep but at least in Florence you probably won’t end up in a canal….just under a tram!
Do be careful but not so careful that you don’t have these wonderful stories to share.
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These darn streets are not pedestrian friendly, but everyone is so nonchalant about it all. We all seem to survive.
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They did that to see who has the most perseverance.
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That’s true, Emma. And, also, to see who has some time to spend looking.
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I think you have discovered Secret Florence…a great book. I often walk the streets of Florence with the book in hand.
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It’s a great and frustrating book, because you can’t possibly get to see all the fun stuff they’ve uncovered, Debra.
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Aren’t you afraid you’ll trip and fall over something shoe-level? That face in the wall is haunting. I’m familiar with Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome….do many Italian cities have a Maria Maggiore?
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Yes, there is the thrill of the spill each day, Cynthia.
I’d wager there would be a considerable number of Maria Maggiore churches in Italy!
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I have worried about your neck all through this series
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Finally. Recognition and sympathy, Derrick.
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I think they put everything so high because they were striving to reach the heavens OR because they wanted to “shock and awe” the peasants into complete submission.
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I reckon the peasants would have had their noses to the ground, shoulders to the wheel, etc! This is up VERY high!
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