“Plaque situated in Via Dante Alighieri near house number 1, on the left-hand side of the Badia Fiorentina.”
Paradiso, Canto XV, vv. 97-99
” FIORENZA, DENTRO DALLA CERCHIA ANTICA,
OND’ELLA TOGLIE ANCORA E TERZA E NONA,
SI STAVA IN PACE SOBRIA E PVDICA.”
“Florence, confined within her most ancient walls (the first circuit of walls), from which she still marks the hours of Tierce and Nones, lived (during the time of Cacciaguida, in the 12th century) in a state of peace, characterized by sobriety—that is, frugality and moderation—and by modesty—meaning morality and decency.”
“These verses are fundamental as they represent Cacciaguida’s nostalgic eulogy of the ‘Old Florence,’ standing in stark contrast to the corrupt and fractious city Dante knew.
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The Ancient Circuit (La Cerchia Antica): This refers to the city’s first, most restricted wall perimeter, dating back to Roman times or the early stages of urban development.
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Tierce and Nones (Terza e Nona): These are not merely times of day but canonical hours—specific moments set aside for prayer. Tierce is the third hour after sunrise (around 9:00 AM), while Nones is the ninth hour (around 3:00 PM). Mentioning these hours suggests that civic life still followed the rhythms established by the Church and monastic life, symbolizing a rigorous moral and social order.
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Peaceful, Sober, and Modest (Pace, Sobria e Pudica): These three adjectives describe ancient Florence as not only peaceful (free from the violent internal strife of Dante’s time) but also parsimonious (sober) and morally upright (modest). This is far removed from the unbridled luxury and decadence that, according to the great-great-grandfather, had led the city to its modern-day ruin.”
