The “Giro d’Empoli”, or “Empoli Promenade” is an institution, a stroll through the city past shops and cafés and an opportunity for stolen glances and socialising from time immemorial.
The route forms a more or less perfect square, running from via Ridolfi to via Del Papa, then via del Giglio and finally Piazza Farinata degli Uberti, the heart of the city since its foundation. The streets are filled with shops and storied bakeries and this is the part of the city where events of all kinds are held throughout the year.
Until fairly recently, men did the promenade counterclockwise, to the right, with the facade of the Collegiata di Sant’Andrea as their point of reference, while women went clockwise: this way, young men and women could exchange glances or a smile whilst walking, without attracting attention.
Doing the Empoli promenade, you can revive this tradition and, at the same time, discover the ancient heart of the city.