Museo Salvatore Ferragamo

City Secrets is a series of innovative guidebooks whose contributors, from art historians and professors to novelists and architects, choose their personal “city secrets” to share. The following is a pick from City Secrets: Florence & Venice by Judith DiMaio, an architect.

The large medieval palace at the end of Via Tornabuoni that is closest to the Ponte Santa Trinita is the home of Salvatore Ferragamo, the great shoe designer. Although the store is wonderful, the true interest is in the Museo Salvatore Ferragamo. You must make an appointment at the store to visit the museum, which exhibits all of his great shoe designs and their lasts (blocks or forms in the shape of someone’s foot). There, beautifully displayed on the top floor, are shoes that belonged to Audrey Hepburn, Wally Simpson, Judy Garland, Marlene Dietrich, plus citizens and travelers who found their way to Ferragamo. It is a beautifully appointed museum, and if you love shoes, you will not be disappointed.

Purchase a copy of City Secrets here.