Why Queen Victoria liked Florence so much?

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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 historic Renaissance villa located in Fiesole, just outside the city. She chose this location for its scenic beauty and tranquility. The villa, known for its stunning gardens and connection to Boccaccio’s Decameron, provided a perfect retreat for the Queen and her entourage.


The Villa Palmieri, where Queen Victoria stayed


During this visit, Victoria enjoyed excursions into Florence, where she admired the city's artistic and historical treasures. She visited the Uffizi Gallery, where she showed particular interest in the works of Raphael and Botticelli, and the Pitti Palace, the former residence of the Grand Dukes of Tuscany. She also spent time in the Boboli Gardens, taking carriage rides through the vast, landscaped grounds.

In 1888, while staying at Villa Palmieri, Queen Victoria received an official visit from King Umberto I. The meeting was cordial, and Victoria, despite her usual skepticism towards new European monarchies, had grown to appreciate the stability of the Italian kingdom under the House of Savoy. She particularly admired Queen Margherita for her intelligence, charm, and patronage of the arts, which made her one of Europe’s most respected queens.

King Umberto I of Italy and Queen Margherita

According to The Times on April 7, 1888, Queen Victoria was invited by King Umberto I and his wife, Queen Margherita, to lunch at the Pitti Palace, where the table was set for 56 people.


1893 Visit to Florence

Queen Victoria returned to Florence in March 1893, again staying at Villa Palmieri. This visit followed a similar pattern to her earlier one, with the Queen enjoying the art, culture, and mild climate of the region. 




Florence

In 1894, Queen Victoria returned to Florence once again, accompanied by Prince and Princess Henry (Princess Beatrice) of Battenberg. She went to the Pitti Palace for lunch with the King and Queen of Italy. They toured the city by car, passing landmarks such as the Ponte Vecchio. They arrived at the Palazzo Pitti at 1:30 PM, where Her Majesty was greeted by the Italian King and Queen.



Prince and Princess Henry of Battenberg



In her later years, Victoria often reminisced about her time in Florence, referring to it as one of her “dearest places of retreat”. The city, with its blend of art, history, and light, provided her with a sense of peace and inspiration. Even after her last visit, she continued to mention Florence in her correspondence, often expressing a wish that she could return. 




In an upcoming blog post, I'll share more about the Uffizi Gallery, a place Queen Victoria loved to visit. Stay in touch! 



Florence in the 19th. century



Source pictures: Wikipedia + own pictures I took in 2024 - Florence and in London


Location: Florence, Metropolitan City of Florence, Italy

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