“Bellosguardo is a dimension in itself, an atmosphere, a perception,” writes Violet Trefusis who, on spring and autumn days, used to take this walk -especially as a young girl- to get to Florence and back home, to Villa dell’Ombrellino, up to Bellosguardo hill. And she would also recommend it to her friends, staying at her Villa. It was not difficult, therefore, to meet along Via di Bellosguardo the young Mitterrand, Pierre Balmain or Francis Poulenc… Sometimes Winston Churchill, although he only walked for a few minutes and then continued by car.

The sound narrative of this walk, divided into stops, suitably identified according to content, guides us along a lively and eclectic route: from the carnival tradition between Lorenzo the Magnificent and the Commedia dell’Arte, to the ancient game of “ruzzola”; the discovery of hidden poetic corners; to the spirituality of the Tabernacle of the Magnificat, which holds a special bond with Violet Trefusis: a “cyrene of joy”; the pictorial curiosities that have left traces over the centuries of an exact spot overlooking Florence; the legend of the Well of the Saraceno in Piazza di Bellosguardo to the fascinating suggestions of Villa dell’Ombrellino, of its guests; of its history and, of course, of the cosmopolitan esprit of Violet Trefusis.

Listening to the voice of the wind along Via Roti Michelozzi that skirts the park of Villa dell’Ombrellino, being surprised at the gate of Villa Bellosguardo with its secrets, partly eroded by time, until we plunge into the wonder of the Belvedere Violet Trefusis that always leaves one breathless. And then, with a virtual glance, we will learn about the hidden symbolism of those statues on the so-called ‘high’ terrace of Villa dell’Ombrellino.

Let us, then, set out, through the beautiful eyes of Violet Trefusis!
The duration of the talking walk is 40′; the walk, for those who wish to do it on site, taking into account that it is uphill, is about 45’\50’.