Palazzo Davanzati is an interesting museum for grown-ups and kids, alike, but less known to the tourist crowds. Visiting the Palazzo is a leap back in time to reveal and learn about the customs of life during the Renaissance in Florence.
As we entered the courtyard of the 14th century Palazzo, purchased by the Davanzati family in 1500, I told Caterina and her friends about the family’s history. They listened attentively as I pointed out a large image in the shape of a tree, surrounded by coats of arms: the Davanzati family tree. In place of tree leaves, small circles were drawn with the name of family members.
Here, Caterina and her friends had fun together drawing their family trees and writing in the names of their family members.
Climbing the beautiful stone staircase to the main floor, we looked out over the dining room and then entered a bedroom where a small door attracted the children’s attention. They discovered that the door led to a narrow, dark room with a large tub covered by a stone top with a hole and stopper in it. This was one if the toilets in the building. The waste went to an underground cistern which was periodically emptied.
Reaching the top floor, the children were amazed to find a large kitchen, which was located above other floors to prevent smells and fires from damaging the rest of the house. Here we found many artefacts and utensils, including a churn for making butter.
Visiting Florence with children is a delightful experience when they’re able to make discoveries about the past and make comparisons with how things are today.
