Florence Wine Windows for Contactless Service

Centuries ago, Tuscan merchants invented a clever way to sell wine through tiny holes in walls called buchette. These wall openings allowed shops to serve customers without needing any physical contact.

Originally designed to help plague-stricken nobles sell wine directly from their estates, these windows became a local staple of Italian trade. After falling out of use for decades, they saw a massive resurgence during the recent global pandemic. Today, you can still find these discreet portals serving gelato, coffee, and wine to passersby in the historic streets of Florence. It remains a fascinating example of how medieval architecture can solve modern social distancing challenges.