Via Trieste

This charming street, a block or so from NYU in Florence's campus, has a little-known, possibly well hidden history behind it. Not one to often blurt out facts, theories or did-ya-know's, this one caught me off guard a bit, and I definitely think it's worth a share.

I usually walk home after class. At night, it's especially nice. With a little music on the ears, a nice breeze a'flowin', and a beautiful sunset, the walk home is quite delightful. Via Trieste is an especially nice walk down; it houses beautiful yet modern looking apartment buildings, bringing a modern and very refreshing suburban type feel to one street in this mostly ancient looking town.

Anyway, I found out why Via Trieste is so modern, and it isn't charming at all. Via Trieste was re-built after World War Two. After it's main building was torn down (and replaced with these new apartments), the street was renamed (Via Trieste, meaning "Sad Street"). The main building that was torn down was a Nazi headquarter building; it was the Nazi's main center for interrogation in Florence during the war.

Knowing what I've learned about the horrors of Nazi interrogation, this charming walk becomes a bit creepy. And now, as the beautiful sunset turns quickly into black night, I walk just a little faster down Via Trieste.