In the heart of Florence, a city celebrated for its timeless beauty finds itself at a crossroads. On any given day, outside the Galleria dell’Accademia, home to Michelangelo’s iconic "David," a line snakes around the block, weaving through the vibrant chaos of the leather market, where eager tourists try on jackets and inspect purses.
Yet the constant stream of tourists is getting pushback, from the Galleria dell’Accademia's director, Cecilie Hollberg. Remarks she made at an event at the Galleria on January 30th have set off a firestorm of reactions. Hollberg said, "When a city becomes a prostitute, it is difficult for it to become a virgin again,” reported CNN.
Florence, with a population of 328,000, was a destination for billions for the city. While Hollberg’s comments set off a debate among both locals and media, asking if she has a point. Opinions from residents, tourists, and business owners underscore the issue's complexity, with a range of reactions.
Sitting in a piazza, quieter than the Accademia located a few blocks, Sofia Maresca, a 20-year-old local Florentine student, commented that Hollberg’s remarks were quite extreme. Maresca acknowledged the challenges of a city overrun with tourists but said many residents are not bothered.
“We are used to it, and we avoid areas with many tourists. I can steer clear of the crowds by not going where they are,” she said.
Maresca resides on the Oltrarno, the far side of the Arno River, away from the Duomo and famous museums. Maresca too thought Hollberg's statement was excessive, “I understand why so many people come to Florence, it's annoying sometimes, but I don’t think we should discourage people from visiting museums. Her statement felt like too much,” she said.
Near the Academia Museum, 36-year-old barista Monica Cartelli from Modena manages the bustling Cafe Corsini. Amidst the predominantly English-speaking clientele, she acknowledged the economic advantages of the museum's proximity. “It's challenging when many shops cater to tourists, but it's also beneficial for our business, being close to the museum,” Cartelli said.
And tourists are willing to pay the price to see Florence's treasures. In the queue at the Academia Museum, Leon Adriaensen, a 25-year-old tourist and artist from Belgium travelling alone in Italy for three weeks, patiently awaited entry. Adriaensen hoped to see the sculpture of David, which inspired his own sculpture work. “I understand why they don’t want more tourists, but it's also history that many people want to see,” he said, noting that the history comes at a price. The Accademia admission, for example, costs $11 for EU citizens and $25 for non-EU citizens.
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