Our Lady of the Vines: Florence, Italy

(Photo by Cheryl-Anne Millsap)



The romantic stereotype of Italy is that everywhere you look, you will find something beautiful. Who am I to argue?

In Florence, after touring the Scuola del Cuoio, the school of traditional Florentine leatherwork founded after WWII to give orphans a means of learning a trade, we stepped out into the walled courtyard and parking lot at the rear of the building, making our way back to the square. Glancing over as we walked past, I noticed a statue lying on its side. The beautiful figure was half covered in the scarlet leaves of the vines that were cascading over the wall. It was eerily beautiful. And romantic. And perfectly Italian in every way.