About
This mysterious stone head is believed to belong to a woman who was petrified by an alchemist.
Legend has it that the woman he asked for water from was La Berta, and when she refused him, he cursed her with petrification. Ever since then, her head has protruded out of the facade of the Church of Santa Maria Maggiore in Florence. Although its origin is unknown, locals have been telling stories about La Berta's presence there for centuries. The most popular story suggests that she was cursed to stone on September 16th 1326 by astrologer Cecco d'Ascoli, while he was being taken to be executed for heresy on Via dei Cerretani. He had asked her for water but instead received a refusal, so she was turned to stone as punishment.
