Plaque located in Via dei Tavolini, near house number 1r.
Coat of arms: Galigai family
Paradiso – Canto XVI – vv 101 – 102
” . . . . . . . . . . ED AVEA GALIGAIO
DORATA IN CASA SVA GIà L’ELSA E’L POME.”
“…and the Galigaio family already had the hilt and the pommel (of the sword) gilded in their home.”
“Dante and Cacciaguida are listing the ancient and honored families of Florence. The Galigai were a family of Fiesolan origin, wealthy and powerful, who later split and played a role in the city’s internal conflicts. The hilt and the pommel are the parts of the sword’s grip. Possessing a sword with these parts gilded (or adorned with gold) was a sign of immense wealth and nobility, symbolizing their high status as knights and warriors.
In summary, Cacciaguida is stating that in his time, the Galigai family had already reached a level of wealth and prestige that allowed them to afford such sumptuous weaponry.”
