Florence has a prison that is quite famous. It has housed political criminals, controversial artists, and debtors.
The building itself is most impressive. There is a stone brick tower with tiny windows. The building is surrounded by a moat causing its guests and visitors to refer to the structure as Isola delle Stinche- the island of Stinche. There is a single door in and out of the prison with a Latin inscription above it, “Oportet misereri .” The inscription is a reminder to the public that the prison is operated using private charity funds and not funds from the city coffers.
Executions are carried out at Mint Tower. Prisoners are marched from the Stinche, passed tents staffed by mercy workers from the public and the Church to Mint Tower. The entire area is surrounded by a 59 foot wall.