Statues of lions have been seen around Florence since the Middle Ages

and today you can spot them just about anywhere. Although they constitute

 a symbol of power all over the world, they hold a particular connection to

 Florence, the city in which Dan Brown’s Inferno is set.

The heraldic lionalso known as the Marzocco lion

is the animal symbol representing the free Republic of Florence.

 As the legend goes, the Florentine Republic chose the symbol 

of the lion over other animals because lions are able to tear apart

 the eagle, which is the symbol of imperial power.