Florentine Street Shrines, Tabernacles & Moments to Reflect

Today seems like an appropriate time to focus on reflection.  We often take stock at the beginning of a new year and pause to consider the past year as well as thoughts for the new.

These moments of pause can happen serendipitously when one is walking alone on the streets of Florence and discovers an outside shrine.

In Florence, as in all of Italy, beautiful shrines and tabernacles can be found on buildings in most neighborhoods: Street Art.

Often to be found in unexpected places:

Originally built by the early Romans to honor their pagan gods and ask for their protection, outdoor shrines became common place. With the arrival of Christianity, cities chose their patron saints and dedicated  shrines to them.  The Virgin Mary and St. John the Baptist take top billing in Florence.

So during the course of a walk one can find themselves gazing upon an image that provokes emotion and thought.

Attention and care are evident by the display of flowers and even notes of petition.

The energy can be contagious and you may find yourself in a mediative breath. Your own petitions may come to mind.

No matter what your religion or if any, take a moment to pause and reflect.  It can be a welcome moment in a day full of sight seeing and other activities. For me it is a slow down moment. A moment to often think of loved ones or just feel the gratitude of being in such a special place.

Allow me to wish all a very Happy New Year full of joy, peace, love and travel!

I dedicate this post to my brother Robert who recently passed away.  Here we are in 2016 in the town of Panzano in Chianti.