Piazza del Limbo (Limbo Square), Florence

Piazza del Limbo (Limbo Square), Florence

This well-known ancient square, famously described in Dante's poem, was located outside the Roman city walls until the 10th century when the new Carolingian fortifications were constructed. It acquired its name, Piazza del Limbo, from the burial ground where unbaptized infants were interred, destined for Limbo in the afterlife during the medieval era.

Facing the square is the Church of the Holy Apostles ("Santi Apostoli"), which has retained its predominantly early medieval appearance, holding the distinction of being one of Florence's oldest surviving churches. Adorning the facade are two plaques that commemorate its legendary history. One plaque, inscribed in Latin, claims that on April 6, 801, Charlemagne, accompanied by the paladins Roland and Oliviero and Bishop Turpin, founded the church.

Adjacent to the church stands the shorter side of the Borgherini-Rosselli del Turco Palace, adorned with various plaques and inscriptions. Noteworthy features include a monogram of Christ and a delicate profile portrait, a bas-relief sculpture of the Madonna and Child traditionally attributed to Benedetto da Maiano, and two inscriptions in Pietra Serena stone with a devotional theme. Nearby, the Borgherini family once possessed one of medieval Florence's few private gardens, which later came under the ownership of the Rosselli del Turco family.

On the right side of the church stands the palace that belonged to the Altoviti family, showcasing a prominently sculpted coat of arms on its facade. Facing Borgo Santi Apostoli, one can also observe the structure of the 19th-century baths (currently closed), constructed by Antonio Peppini on the site of Florentia's original Roman baths, that were once public bathing facilities.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Florence. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

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Piazza del Limbo (Limbo Square) on Map

Sight Name: Piazza del Limbo (Limbo Square)
Sight Location: Florence, Italy (See walking tours in Florence)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Walking Tours in Florence, Italy

Create Your Own Walk in Florence

Create Your Own Walk in Florence

Creating your own self-guided walk in Florence is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Florence Food Tour

Florence Food Tour

Food is one of the great Florentine passions, and the great thing about having a delicious authentic Tuscan meal, a snack, delicatessen, or a quality gelato here – besides the abundant variety – is not having to spend a lot of money for it.

In general, the “osterias” and the eateries nestled in Sant’Ambrogio Market will offer cheaper and more casual food with an emphasis on home...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.6 Km or 1.6 Miles
Florence Introduction Walking Tour

Florence Introduction Walking Tour

The city of Florence was founded by Julius Caesar in 59 BC as a settlement for veteran soldiers. It was built initially in the style of an army garrison – with main streets intersecting at today's Piazza della Repubblica. The original name, Fluentia, stems from its location between the two rivers; later, it was renamed Florentia, which means “flowering” or “flourishing”.

The...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.1 Km or 2.5 Miles
Medici Landmarks Walking Tour

Medici Landmarks Walking Tour

The Medici family helped to establish Florence as the single most important art capital of Renaissance Europe. In order to prove wealth and power, they built numerous palaces, libraries, churches, chapels and personal residences. The Medicis were big lovers of art and they acquired huge, expensive collections, as well as supporting many sculptors and painters of the time.

Designed by...  view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.7 Km or 1.7 Miles
Michelangelo's Masterpieces Walking Tour

Michelangelo's Masterpieces Walking Tour

Michelangelo spent over 20 years of his life in Florence – the birthplace of the Renaissance – during which time he created some of the most beautiful masterpieces the city had ever seen. The most famous of them – the David – was larger than life, and brought a larger-than-life image to the artist. No amount of photos or copies of the statue will do it justice, so to see it with your own...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.0 Km or 2.5 Miles
Arno South Bank Walking Tour

Arno South Bank Walking Tour

The area south of Arno river, also called Oltrarno ("Beyond the Arno"), is a quieter place but not less interesting. Here you can find the Pitti Palace whose collection of paintings is second only to the Uffizi, and the vast Boboli Gardens once enjoyed by the Medici and the royal family. One of the first and most important examples of "Italian Gardens", they later served as...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.4 Km or 1.5 Miles
Dante's Florence Walking Tour

Dante's Florence Walking Tour

Dante Alighieri was arguably the greatest – albeit also most controversial – of Italy's poets. After having served as one of the six priors governing Florence, his political activities – including the banishing of several rivals – led to his own banishment, upon which he wrote his masterpiece, “The Divine Comedy”, as a wanderer, seeking protection for his family in one town after...  view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.1 Km or 1.3 Miles

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