Susan Horner, a British writer on Italian subjects, spent eight months in Florence in 1861 and 1862. In her diary, she describes her experiences, impressions and acquaintances in the Tuscan capital, providing a detailed account of the life of an expatriate in 19th-century Florence. For Susan, the city is a treasure trove of art, architecture and history, an ideal environment for her intellectual and artistic pursuits. She enjoys the lively social scene and delights in the company of like-minded liberals with a passion for Italian unification. As a background for personal joys and adversities, Florence makes a lasting impression on this upper middle-class woman.
This application will take you on a tour of Susan’s Florence, mapping out spaces and places that were meaningful to her during her stay in the city. The points of interest are accompanied with texts explaining their significance to Susan. You can also listen to excerpts from the diary and view galleries of related images. The places are organized into five different categories, each containing a brief introductory text and a video. Before browsing the categories or exploring the map, you can read more about Susan Horner and the historical context of her travels in the section “Visiting 19-th century Florence”.
Follow in Susan’s footsteps and get to know the city she loved!