About
MY NAME, FIAMMETTA
I go by the name Fiammetta.
A typically Florentine name, even though I’m not precisely from Florence: I was born in Chivasso, Piedmont, to Tuscan parents, and raised in Pontassieve, a charming town just south of Florence.
Madonna Fiammetta was the beloved of Giovanni Boccaccio, one of the great poets who contributed to the birth of the Italian language. Unlike the other two women who inspired compositions at the dawn of Italian literature, Dante’s Beatrice and Petrarch’s Laura, Boccaccio’s Fiammetta was the most “earthly.” Fiammetta represented love and passion that blaze and burn.
That’s it.
I may be less earthly, even though I too have a passion that burns.
MY PASSION FOR ART AND FLORENCE
My passion, which burns brightest and fuels me like a flame, is for art, from the ancient to the contemporary, but especially for that of Tuscany and Florence.
It’s a flame that makes me feel alive and leaves me content as the day turns into night.
MY EDUCATION
To truly understand and delve into the history of art, I became an art historian.
I studied at the University of Florence and earned my degree in Modern Art History. Later, years down the road, in the same field, I specialized, still within the walls of the Florentine institution.
After my graduation, to figure out what I could make of my long and in-depth studies, I embarked on a journey to Trento, in a chilly winter, where I pursued a Master’s in Cultural Heritage Management, focusing on the case study of the MART in Rovereto, one of the most modern and innovative museums of modern and contemporary art.
THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT OF THE UFFIZI GALLERIES
My journey led me back to Florence, where I undertook a formative training in the Educational Department of the Uffizi Galleries. This department is dedicated to crafting, designing, and delivering guided tours of the historical and artistic treasures housed within the galleries, catering to diverse audiences, from children to adults, and including individuals with disabilities.
Here, I learned that the museum experience should be both enlightening and enjoyable. It should be rigorous, yet captivating. Scholarly, yet engaging.
At the conclusion of a guided tour what truly matters is the feeling that it ended too quickly, leaving a yearning to return.
BECOMING A CERTIFIED TOUR GUIDE FOR FLORENCE AND ITS PROVINCE IN ENGLISH AND FRENCH
After my studies in Trento and my tenure at the Uffizi, I realized that while art is my passion, my calling is to elucidate its meanings, disseminate its contents, and share its beauty. To fulfill this purpose, I became certified as a Tour Guide for Florence and its province, offering tours in both English and French.
My collaboration with the Educational Wing of the Uffizi Galleries continued, but in tandem, I expanded my horizons by offering various historical and artistic tours in Florence and beyond.
However, I’m not sure I’d categorize myself solely as a “tour guide.”
Firstly, my audience isn’t confined to tourists alone. I extend my services to fellow Florentines, young and old, who often harbor a curiosity to explore the cultural heritage that belongs to them.
Secondly, my aim isn’t merely to “guide” but rather to “accompany,” “narrate” (without overwhelming), and most importantly, “listen.”
Artworks have voices of their own.
There’s no need for a “guide.”
What’s essential is someone discreetly pointing the way to access the layers of meaning that each artwork inherently carries.
Thus, I consider myself that “someone” for those who choose to be accompanied, to hear stories, and to be heard.
TODAY…
Today, I offer guided tours through the historical and artistic treasures of Florence and beyond. My collaboration with the Uffizi Galleries persists, providing guided tours to esteemed guests, always maintaining the utmost discretion.
I take delight in discovering and unveiling unconventional locales, extending beyond the typical tourist routes.
I relish in narrating the culture of my city, often drawing from the unforgettable pages of authors who, before me, have done so brilliantly in their literary works.
I cherish the opportunity to commemorate and dedicate guided tours to the significant men and women who were born and lived in Florence, contributing to the dissemination of art and culture worldwide.
I am passionate about letting people savor the city because culture also flows through cuisine. I offer gastronomic tours tailored to diverse tastes, even sharing traditional Florentine recipes when the occasion calls for it!
Above all, I revel in engaging with children, organizing specialized guided tours designed exclusively for them. Children are my favorite companions, despite being the most discerning, astute, and inquisitive. They often observe details that I might have overlooked. I am captivated by their wonder, their curiosity, and their questions.
Furthermore, I serve as a lecturer at the Universities in Florence, Sesto Fiorentino, and Scandicci, where I conduct courses in history, art history, and Florentine culture.
With my background in 20th-century art, I continue to conduct research and delve deeper into these subjects, curating exhibitions and contributing articles to specialized journals.