Stranger Things in Florence: the "Upside Down" beneath the Renaissance
When the sun sets behind the Arno and the shadows of the palazzi grow long, Florence reveals a different face. We are used to the bright, geometric perfection of the Renaissance—the "Hawkins" of the 15th century. But just like in the hit Netflix series, there is an Upside Down here.
Beneath the paved streets where you walk with your gelato, there is a parallel Florence made of Roman ruins, secret tunnels, and forgotten crypts. History in this city isn't a straight line; it’s a series of layers, and some of them are quite... strange.
The Florence Party: Meeting our Renaissance Heroes
If we were to assemble our own "Hawkins Party" from the giants of Florence, the parallels would be uncanny.
The heart of the group, our Mike Wheeler, is undoubtedly Dante Alighieri: the leader who first mapped out the "other side" (literally, the Inferno) and gave the party their moral compass. Beside him, Filippo Brunelleschi plays the role of Lucas Sinclair: the pragmatic, strategic mind who uses mathematical precision—like a high-tech slingshot—to hit the impossible target of the Great Dome.
Our Max Mayfield? That would be Catherine de' Medici. A rebel who was sent to a foreign court (France), she brought her own "skateboard" (she actually introduced high heels and the fork to the French) and never backed down from a fight. Leonardo da Vinci is our Dustin Henderson: the ultimate tinkerer, obsessed with curiosity, science, and the mechanics of every "monster" he encountered.
In the center of the mystery, we find Michelangelo as our Will Byers. Deeply sensitive and often misunderstood, he was the one who could truly see into the Upside Down, capturing visions of another dimension in his sketches. And protecting him through every tantrum and crisis was Pope Clement VII (Giulio de' Medici), the ultimate Steve Harrington. Though their relationship was complicated, the Pope was the "babysitter" of Michelangelo’s genius, swinging his political bat to keep the artist safe from his enemies.
Finally, wielding the supernatural power of her brush, Artemisia Gentileschi is our Eleven: a force of nature who survived the dark and channeled her trauma into world-shaking art.
Mapping the Florentine "Upside Down": 4 places to explore
1. The Secret Room of Michelangelo (San Lorenzo)
This is the ultimate "safe house." Hidden beneath the floor of the Medici Chapels, this tiny room was where Michelangelo (our Will) hid for weeks in 1530 while Pope Clement VII (our Steve) worked behind the scenes to save him from a death sentence. To keep his sanity in the dark, Michelangelo drew charcoal sketches directly on the walls—figures that seem to emerge from the stone like visions from another world. It’s the most intimate "Stranger Things" experience you can have in Italy.
2. The Roman Theatre beneath Palazzo Vecchio
Long before the Renaissance "Hawkins" was built, the Romans had a massive theatre here. Entering the excavations under Palazzo Vecchio feels like walking into a rift in time. You can walk through the ancient vomitoria (the tunnels where spectators entered) and see the foundations of the Roman city. It’s dark, cool, and echoes with nearly 2,000 years of history.
3. Santa Reparata: The Ghost Cathedral
Beneath the floor of the Duomo lies the "shadow" of its predecessor: the ancient Basilica of Santa Reparata. Down here, the air changes. You’ll find early Christian mosaics and the tomb of Filippo Brunelleschi. It’s a quiet, eerie space that reminds you that the giant Dome above is actually anchored in a much older, mysterious world.
4. The Secret Passages of Palazzo Vecchio
These are the ultimate "Hawkins Lab" escape routes. Hidden doors behind tapestries lead to narrow staircases and walkways inside the walls, designed for the Medici to move through the city unseen. It’s a labyrinthine world of shadows where the real power of Florence once resided.
How to survive the Florentine "Upside Down"
Book in advance: These sites—especially Michelangelo’s Secret Room—are "hidden" for a reason and have very limited access.
Wear comfortable shoes: You’ll be walking on Roman stones and medieval bricks, not the polished marble of the Uffizi.
Bring your curiosity: Like the gang in Hawkins, the best way to enjoy Florence is to keep asking "what’s behind that door?"
Returning to the Right Side Up
After exploring the dark tunnels of the past, you’ll need a portal back to the 21st century. Come find us at Florence Factory in Via dei Neri. We are the bridge between the ancient craftsmanship of the "Upside Down" and the contemporary design of today. Our artisans use techniques passed down through generations—a bit like a secret code—to create objects that are, frankly, out of this world.
