All About Royal Families

On the morning of April 26, 1478, Easter Sunday, Florence Cathedral—Santa Maria del Fiore—was filled with the devout, the curious, and the powerful. Among them were two of the most prominent figures in Florence: Lorenzo de’ Medici, known as Il Magnifico, and his younger brother, Giuliano de’ Medici. The brothers were the de facto rulers of Florence, widely admired but also deeply resented by rival factions.  A plot That day, unbeknownst to the congregation, a meticulously plotted conspiracy was about to unfold—a plan that would shake the Republic of Florence to its core. The plot had been hatched by the Pazzi family, wealthy Florentine bankers with ambitions to unseat the de' Medici. They were backed by  Francesco Salviati, the Archbishop of Pisa, and, more ominously, by Pope Sixtus IV, who opposed the de'  Medici's influence in central Italy. The Pope’s nephew, Girolamo Riario, was also involved, giving the plot the air of both political and ecclesiastical intrigue. Duri...

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...

The Ponte Vecchio, one of Florence’s most iconic landmarks, holds a fascinating royal history that is deeply intertwined with the powerful de' Medici family, who ruled Florence for centuries. This medieval bridge, spanning the Arno River, is not just a testament to architectural ingenuity but also to the grandeur and influence of Florence’s rulers. A Bridge with Ancient Origins The Ponte Vecchio, which means “Old Bridge,” was built in 1345 to replace a series of earlier wooden bridges that had been repeatedly destroyed by floods. Unlike its predecessors, this iteration was constructed in stone, ensuring greater durability. However, its significance goes beyond its longevity—its royal connections transformed it into a symbol of power and prestige. The de' Medici Family and the Vasari Corridor During the Renaissance, the de' Medici family solidified their control over Florence, and under the rule of  Cosimo I de’ Medic i, Grand Duke of Tuscany ,  the Ponte Vecchio took on an ...

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...

First of all, I want to wish you all a very happy 2025! I hope the year started well for you. A new year gives new expectations, wishes and the most important: new energy. In November and December it became so busy, that I did not get around to writing and blogging, but I do not want to break my promise I've made last year. So let's resume the trip to Florence and discover more about the de' Medici family.  My fifth castle visit of 2024 took place in Florence and it was a fantastic one. There, I visited the Palazzo Pitti, the main residence of the de' Medici family.  The Palazzo Pitti some royal history At the beginning the building of Palazzo Pitti was ordered by banker, Luca Pitti , a friend and supporter of Cosimo de' Medici. However the building works stopped, when Luca Pitti suffered financial losses after the death of Cosimo de' Medici. Luca Pitti died in 1472, while the Palazzo still was unfinished. Luca Pitti, source picture: Wikipedi...