Discover Florence's sinister side with Hotel Savoy
March 2012 - Think Florence, think renaissance art, history and of course fine dining and superlative shopping. However, intrepid travellers staying at Rocco Forte’s Hotel Savoy may think ghosts after they explore the dark side of Florence’s history on a chilling Ghost Walk Tour.
Brave guests can step out of hotel and delve into Florence’s sinister streets, guided by the guardauomo, a sentinel who was tasked to protect the city more than 800 years ago.
Aspiring ghost hunters will be guided through a myriad of alleyways and squares, hearing tales of murder in the Middle Ages, recounting myths and mysteries, learning about executions and watching out for ghosts.
Some stories are the stuff of legend, but the real, chilling tales of intrigue, passion and blood are played out by the guardauomo while walking the Roman streets of Decumano Massimo (the Corso) and Cardo Maximus (Piazza della Repubblica).
Discover the first ghost at piazza Sant’Elisabetta, inside a looming tower; before hearing about murder and torture techniques, and the guillotine executions around Loggia dei Lanzichenecchi and Palazzo Vecchio. Throughout the theatrical narrative, guests learn about society in the Middle Ages, the contrast between luxury and poverty, and how Florence’s first geographic boundaries were mapped.
Turn another corner and the deathly disease of XIVth century is the parable of the old quarter. Stand outside the house of the Executioner and imagine the tabernacoli on every street corner, which acted as churches in times of infection.
Guests can play out the characters of Mariuccia La Napoletana’s murder in front of the romantic church of San Remigio, before learning about the legend of the beheaded saint, San Miniato. On reaching the Ponte Vecchio, the sentinel suddenly disappears into the shadows, along with his lantern, leaving the ghosts of the sinister and bloody figures to accompany you back to the hotel.
Tours leave at 7pm in Spring and at 9pm in Summer. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Cost €35pp, bookable with the Concierge at Hotel Savoy. Double rooms at Hotel Savoy start from €293.
To book or for more information, call T: + 39 055 27 35 1 or visit www.roccofortehotels.com
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Notes to Editors
Rocco Forte Hotels
Rocco Forte Hotels is a family of 13 individual hotels and resorts. Each property has a unique style, reflecting its nationality and location, but all share Rocco Forte Hotels’ trademark attention to detail, high quality and immaculate service.
Established by Sir Rocco Forte in 1996, Rocco Forte Hotels comprises: Hotel de Russie, Rome; Hotel Savoy, Florence; The Balmoral, Edinburgh; The Lowry Hotel, Manchester; Hotel Astoria, St Petersburg; Hotel Amigo, Brussels; Brown’s Hotel, London; Villa Kennedy, Frankfurt; Hotel de Rome, Berlin; The Charles Hotel, Munich; Augustine Hotel, Prague; Verdura Golf & Spa Resort, Sicily; Rocco Forte Hotel Abu Dhabi. Future openings: Jeddah; Marrakech; Cairo; Luxor.
www.roccofortehotels.com
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