When Italy had to close its doors, it opened its windows

When Italy had to close its doors due to Covid-19, it opened its windows. The windows I'm referring to are called " Buchette del Vino" which means little wine holes.  In Renaissance times, they were used to sell wine to go, which was often cheaper and quicker for customers than going inside a tavern and sitting at a table. The last time these wine windows were actually used for their purpose was during the Plague. It was and still is a way to serve food and drinks safely and socially distanced. Now during Covid-19 restrictions, many restaurants have begun to re-use these windows to serve goods to customers but what I am more interested in is how many of these charming windows still exist? 

There are rumored to be over 140 just in the city of Florence (also they can be found in Siena and other areas of Tuscany) alone. Most have been sealed up or turned into mailboxes or doorbells throughout time but there are many still to be seen. One of the best ways to experience Florence is to just get out there and start walking. Pick a neighborhood to explore and count the wine windows during your walk and see who can spot the most! You should have a gelato in your hand or course while doing this! Bonus points if you find a place that will actually serve you wine in this way. 

With their newfound popularity over the past few years, there even now is a cultural association dedicated to the preservation of this ancient architectural element. You can visit Buchettedelvino.org for more information and the locations of every window in Florence. Have you found a Buchette del Vino yet? Send me a picture of you and your discovery!