Cartoleria il Parione, Florence

Being in this shop was a step back in time,from the paper music boxes to miniature libraries of long ago literary figures. The stationery is magnificent,as is everything in the shop.The ladies and gentlemen are there to help you in everyway speaking many languages and their obvious love of their shop is infectious!I purchased four three dimensional cards depicting various vistas of Florence;Santa Croce, Ponte Vecchio to name two, had them mounted in sections, and framed in shadow boxes. Santa Croce has all the lovely shadows it had when my grandson ran joyously across the square. I cannot recommend this shop highly enough, for the breathtaking beauty of its merchandise and the joy of the entire experience.This is most assuredly not your usual tourist destination and you will find yourself shopping in a lovely,hushed and beautiful piece of Florence . Treat yourself to a few hours browsing in this quiet little corner of the city.