Dante Society

This building houses the single most important association related to Dante’s memory and to the promotion of his works. Active since its first general meeting in Palazzo Vecchio in the summer of 1888, the Società dantesca has been a leading voice in Dante studies throughout the world. The first issue of the Bullettino della Società dantesca was published in 1890 with the purpose of laying the groundwork for new editions of all Dante’s works.

In 1899, Guido Mazzoni launched a series of Dante readings in what is now called the Dante room in Orsanmichele and only four years later, the Bullettino was revamped and relaunched under the supervision of Michele Barbi (buried at San Miniato) who also began its official scholarly publication, Studi danteschi, in 1920. Its past presidents have been essential in the publication of a series of important editions, including the Scartazzini-Vandelli volume (below) whose twenty-first edition is still in print.

This building, purchased by the Society in 1904 (with the generous assistance of Enrichetta Caetani, duchess of Sermoneta), was built here in 1308, incorporating the earlier crenelated tower of the Compiobbesi, after the enormous fire a few years before that destroyed much of this neighborhood. It was built to house the wool guild, whose agnus Dei emblem is visible throughout the area. In 1502, essential renovations were carried out after a large block of stone fell from the embattlement and killed a pedestrian. It is connected to Orsanmichele by one of the many arches that Vasari constructed, linking important buildings together. The vast importance of the wool guild to Florence’s late medieval economic boom makes this a fitting choice for the vast importance of Dante. Above the entrance is a relief inspired by Domenico di Michelino’s portrait of the poet in the Duomo.

On the northern side of the building is the tabernacle of Saint Mary of the Trumpet, originally located in what is now Piazza della Repubblica, which was moved here in 1905.

Crest of the Wool Guild (Arte della Lana). You’ll find it a lot near here.