At the corner of Via dei Servi and Piazza Santissima Annunziata, stands a red brick Palace facing the square, Palazzo Grifoni – Budini Gattai. Looking at the Palace from the square, on the right side of the building, you may notice a window which is always kept open.
According to a 16th century legend, a member of the Grifoni family went off to war leaving his (just) married wife. The beautiful lady, grieved over the departure but, still hopeful to see again her beloved husband, spent her days looking out of that window. The man never came back and the she died a widow.
After her death, and, as the window was closed by her relatives, strange and mysterious events happened inside the room. Paintings started falling off the walls, objects began to fly and furniture kept on shaking.
As soon as the window was reopened, everything went back to the normality.
An additional twist makes this legend even more interesting. In the middle of the square, there is an equestrian sculpture of Ferdinando I de’Medici looking towards the window. Was the young lady his secret lover?
As for all the legends, nobody knows exactly and, it’s up to you to choose your favourite ending.
