Italy Blog #30 - Florence: Legend of the Pig and a Pashmina

Tom and Rob with La Porchellino

In this 30th blog about our trip to Italy you'll learn about a special "pig" and some local clothing.


WHAT IS LA PORCHELLINO? - It's a bronze boar fountain, located on the side of a market. The word means "little pig."

THE LEGEND - If you rub his nose and drop a coin from his mouth you'll see if you'll be returning to Florence.The legend goes if the coin drops into the gate below, you’ll return. If not, well, remember your trip there. 

So, our tour guide has us pause and take a picture with La Porchellino.

WHERE IS IT? "Porchellino" is in a marketplace called "Mercato Nuovo." It's located between the Piazza Della Republica and Piazza Signoria.  The market has a lot of clothing and leather goods. We were told that this market was first used for banking on tables.

A pashmina

WHAT'S A "PASHMINA"? - It's a popular wrap or large scarf that local women wear in the winter time. Pashmina is a fine type of cashmere wool or silk. The textiles made from it were first woven in Kashmir. Many of the merchants at this market were selling these. One well-known Italian store that sells them is called "Elizabetta."

NEXT: TWO COOL BRIDGES (One you'll remember from Dan Brown's Book "Inferno"