La Knocker de Firenza | Firenza, Italia

As I traveled around Italy I noticed knockers were all the rage. And Florence had more knockers than most. Big ones, small ones and ones that go bump in the night. Italians love to bang that darn thing. And their knobs are equally impressive. In America we crave pressing its-bitsy buttons. Perhaps big knockers are a status symbol? Or an excuse to decorate the shack? Ah dunno but methinks they're great.

It's difficult to gauge the size of the knocker with a picture. However this one is big. Humungous. Extra jumbo. A baby's head or cat could fit through the ring!

All these images were taken in poor light, with skylight barely squeezing between rooftops in narrow alleys. A fill reflector would have been nice but I had to make do.

Many doors were decorated with iron studs.

All these images were taken in poor light, with skylight barely squeezing between rooftops in narrow alleys. A fill reflector would have been nice but I had to make do.

Many doors were decorated with iron studs.

Not a knocker but I liked this rustic old door with studs and rusty latch from a shop on the Ponte Vecchio.

EOS 40D and EF-s 17-55 2.8 IS USM