The Rape of the Sabines by Giambologna 

Perseus and Medusa by Benvenuto Cellini 

Loggia dei Lanzi in Piazzia Signoria in Florence

One of Donatello’s final works, the only one he signed, and one of the first statues to be installed in Piazza Signoria after the expulsion of the Medici.

001.5 Hercules and Caucus by Baccio Bandinelli in Piazza Signoria

Michelangelo's David in Piazza Signoria

Savanarola and the Bonfire of the Vanities in Piazza Signoria

One of the important symbols of the great Florentine Republic.  The heraldic Marzocco of Florence

If there is a single piazza in Italy that is the best example of a living museum, Piazza Signoria in Florence is high on the list.  As the political epicenter of the Florentine republic civic life began here.

When the great bell rang cows mood and the Florentines came running. traitors hanged from windows, fledgling masters sketched, leaders imprisoned in the tower gazed down on the great piazza, friars burned at the stake, tyrant slayers stared down their enemies, lions roared, a giant lost its arm, and Medusa calls this piazza home.

All of this and so much more while being hugged by the Renaissance, embraced by the Florence of today, and at night, when the throngs have left you can stand in the center of Piazza Signoria and let Italy seep into your soul.

Over the next series of episodes we will cover:

Judith and Holofernes by Donatello - his only signed work

The Marzocca

The David and its place in Piazza Signoria

Hercules and Caucus

The sight of Savanarola’s burning

The Loggia dei Lanzi

Perseus and Medusa

The Rape of the Sabines

Ajax with the Body of Patroclus

Hercules and the Centaur

and

the Rape of Polyxena

Sounds Like Jello is a podcast that connects the dots of art, history, and mythology of Italy in a fun, jiggly way.

Named after a funny correction tip to my poorly spoken Italian the Sounds Like Jello podcast can be your travel companion whether you're falling in love with Italy in person or touring via my podcast from your couch.

The episodes will be organized into groups of mini-series covering museums, artists, a cluster of sights, or a slice of something awesome.

From how the giant lost its arm to how lightning made the bell toll in Florence and predicted the death of a graceful tyrant to how a mooing cow makes the Florentines run to Piazza Signoria the Sounds Like Jello podcast will be as tasty as Fettunta at Fagioli or as refreshing as a Shakerato in July.