All About Royal Families

Nestled along the banks of the Arno River in Florence, the Uffizi Gallery is one of the most renowned art museums in the world. While it is famous for housing masterpieces by Botticelli, Michelangelo, and Leonardo da Vinci, the Uffizi also has a rich royal history that reflects the grandeur of the de' Medici family and their influence on the Renaissance era. Origins of the Uffizi: A de' Medici Masterpiece The Uffizi Gallery was originally conceived not as an art museum but as an administrative and judiciary building. Commissioned in 1560 by Cosimo I de’ Medici, the first Grand Duke of Tuscany, the structure was designed by Giorgio Vasari, the renowned architect and artist. The name "Uffizi," meaning "offices," reflects its original purpose as a space for Florentine magistrates and bureaucrats. Cosimo I de’ Medici, a powerful ruler and patron of the arts, played a pivotal role in transforming Florence into a Renaissance hub. His vision extended beyond governa...

In the series about Florence, I usually talk about the de' Medici family but other royals were quite fascinated by the city as well. One of them was Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom. She reigned from 20 June 1837 until 22 January 1901. Since Queen Victoria was one of my main inspirations for starting the All About Royal Families blog, I naturally have to share details about her stays in Florence. Queen Victoria visited Florence multiple times, with her most significant stays occurring in 1888, 1893 and 1894 . These visits were part of her regular spring trips to southern Europe, where she sought both respite from the harsh British winters and engagement with the cultural and political life of Italy. When she travelled, Queen Victoria was accompanied by at least 80 people who occupied 13 carriages of her private train.  Florence in the 19th. Century 1888 Visit to Florence In March 1888, Queen Victoria arrived in Florence and took up residence at Villa Palmieri , a hist...