Florence’s oldest municipal police horse retires after a decade on duty

After a decade with the Municipal Police of Florence, Egidio — the oldest horse in the force — has officially retired. He has been transferred from the stables in Parco delle Cascine to La Fonte, a social cooperative based in Cercina. The cooperative was selected through a public call and runs residential and work-integration projects for young people with disabilities.

During his years on duty, Egidio accompanied mounted officers in a wide range of services, from official ceremonies in the historic centre to patrols in Florence’s public parks. He was also a familiar presence during school visits to the Cascine stables, where hundreds of local pupils met and interacted with the horses.

For residents and visitors alike, Egidio became part of the everyday imagery of the city. Municipal officials noted that he appears in many tourists’ photographs alongside Florence’s best-known landmarks, such as Palazzo Vecchio, David and the Biancone.

Egidio arrived at the Cascine stables years ago from the countryside around Buti, in the province of Pisa. According to the city administration, his early days were challenging: he struggled to walk straight and had difficulty standing still, forcing officers to mount quickly. With time and training, however, he became a calm and reliable horse, valued for his steadiness in busy urban settings.

Despite his progress, Egidio never entirely lost his spirited temperament, which earned him the affectionate nickname “Ganghero” among officers. He will now spend his retirement supporting educational and therapeutic activities at La Fonte, marking a quieter new chapter after years of public service.

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