All About Royal Families

Florence and the de’ Medici family share a rich and complex history. This week, we take a closer look at Alessandro de’ Medici (1510–1537), known as "Il Moro," the first Duke of Florence and a key figure in the Medici family's transition from republican rulers to hereditary monarchs. About Him On 22 July 1510, Alessandro de' Medici was born in Florence. He was officially recognized as the son of Lorenzo II de’ Medici, though some accounts suggest he may have been the illegitimate son of Pope Clement VII, his uncle. His mother is believed to have been a woman of African descent, possibly a servant or enslaved woman in the Medici household, making him one of the first known rulers of European descent with African ancestry. Childhood Alessandro spent his early childhood in Rome, receiving a humanist education under the scholar Pierio Valeriano Bolzani, supervised by Pope Leo X and Cardinal Giulio de’ Medici. During these years, a series of unexpected deaths in the Medici...

Browsing through summer photos, in the winter,is always a lot of fun. It makes you dream away,about what has passed and what will come next year. This time my eye fell on the beautiful Palazzo Vecchio in Florence, not only for the building but also for its surroundings.  So, let's take a quick look and discover why the Palazzo Vecchio certainly is a royal destination in Florence, Italy! The Palazzo Vecchio, located in the heart of Piazza della Signoria,  is one of Florence’s most iconic landmarks. Originally constructed between 1299 and 1314, it served as the town hall and later as the residence of the ruling Medici family. With its formidable, fortress-like appearance, crenelated tower, and impressive historical significance, the building embodies both Florentine civic pride and Renaissance artistry. The structure was designed by Arnolfo di Cambio, who incorporated  elements of defense and grandeur, reflecting the political climate of the time.  The imposing 94-mete...

The Basilica San Lorenzo in Florence is situated in the heart of the city, near the main market.  However the Basilica San Lorenzo was the parish church of the de' Medici family. So, let's take a look at the very interesting royal history of this amazing royal destination. It is surrounded by excellent restaurants with the nicest food and beverages. Royal History The Basilica of San Lorenzo is one of the oldest churches in Florence, originally consecrated in 393 AD. Over centuries, it underwent multiple reconstructions, with the most significant transformation beginning in 1419, under the direction of Filippo Brunelleschi, a pioneer of Renaissance architecture.  Commissioned by Giovanni di Bicci de' Medici , the rebuilding of San Lorenzo marked the start of a centuries-long relationship between the church and the Medici family. The Medici family, renowned patrons of art and politics, played a pivot...

 As we are with the royal destination blogposts in Florence with the de' Medicis, we can't go on,  without some family history.  The founder of the de Medici bank and thus the one who laid the fa'mily's wealth and influence in Florence was: Giovanni di Bicci de' Medici. Who was Giovanni di Bicci de' Medici? Giovanni di Bicci de' Medici was born in Florence, Italy. He was the son of Averardo de' Medici and Jacopa Spini. His father, Averardo died in 1363 with a respectable amount of wealth. This inheritance was divided among Giovanni and his four brothers, leaving Giovanni with very little. However, his uncle, Vieri de' Medici, was still a prominent banker in Florence. Vieri helped Giovanni begin his career in the Florentine banking system. He worked his way up through the ranks, eventually becoming a junior partner in the branch located in Rome. Vieri de' Medici retired in 1393 leaving the...

In December 2024, I received a special royal post card from the United Kingdom. It was a postcard from Lady Pamela Hicks. But who is she actually? How is she related to the Royal Family? Who is Lady Pamela Hicks? Lady Pamela Carmen Louis Hicks, born Mountbatten, was born on 19 April 1929 in Barcelona, Spain. Royal Family Her parents were Louis Mountbatten, 1st Earl Mountbatten of Burma and his wife Edwina Ashley.  Her paternal grandparents were Prince Louis of Battenberg and Princes Victoria of Hesse and by Rhine. The mother of Princess Victoria of Hesse and by Rhine was Princess Alice of the United Kingdom. Princess Victoria was thus a sister of Princess Alexandra, the last Empress of Russia.  Lady Pamela Hicks is thus a niece of Prince Philip, the late Duke of Edinburgh. Title and more ties At the request of George V her grandparents Prince Louis of Battenberg and Princess Victoria of Hesse and by Rhine relinquished their Ger...

Gardening has numerous advantages, spanning physical, mental, and environmental benefits.  I must admit, I adore gardening as much as visiting a wonderful royal garden. After the visit of Palazzo Pitti in June 2024, I visited the Boboli Gardens, which are located directly behind the Palazzo Pitti, the main residence of the de' Medici Family.  The Boboli Gardens are known for its strict and formal Italian style. As it was a very hot day in Florence, the shadow brought some refreshment but not a lot. However the Boboli Gardens really are a wonderful royal destination with again lots of royal history. Some royal history The Boboli Gardens were laid out for Eleonora di Toledo, the wife of Cosimo I de' Medici.The name may be a corruption of "Bogoli"or "Borgoli", possibly the name of a family who had previously owned the land. The first stage had scarcely been begun by Niccolò Tribolo when he died in 1550, after w...