One of the most interesting things to do in Florence is learning about the history of the Medici family. This family had a significant impact on the city and the history of Italy as a whole. The story of the Medici is one of a rich and powerful group of The Renaissance in Europe. The Medici are famous for promoting the arts, education, and culture. Visiting the places where they lived is like embarking on a journey through time to discover one of the most important moments in European history. There is no doubt that history and culture buffs will want to visit, for example, Palazzo Pitti museums and The Boboli Gardens and Giardino Bardini.

The Medici family recently achieved additional worldwide fame due to the TV series Medici – Masters of Florence, which starred the likes of Dustin Hoffman. For Florentines, the names Cosimo and Lorenzo outshine Dustin, no problem!

The Medici family ruled Florence for three centuries, contributing towards making it into the world-famous cradle of the Renaissance through their power and close rapport with the artists of the time.

Giovanni de’ Medici: the banker

From a modest background, Giovanni di Bicci de’ Medici’s family came from the Mugello area and were involved in farming and trading. All this changed with Giovanni, who, after learning to be a banker from his uncle Vieri de’ Medici, made a fortune by founding the Medici Bank in Florence. Through deposits, exchanges, and investments made in the textile trade, it became the most powerful and famous bank in 15th-century Europe.

This power resulted in the Medici family becoming members of Florence’s governing body, the Signoria, which was managed by the city’s guilds and, over time, the most important financiers of European politics, and even the bankers of the Pope himself, maintaining a huge influence across all fronts.

The popularity of the Medici family also grew among citizens. Giovanni’s decision to introduce a property tax brought wealth to the city and the Medici’s affinity to fund art and build palaces and churches made Florence a cultural and artistic center that was the world's envy. Giovanni commissioned Brunelleschi to renovate the church of San Lorenzo, although he died before it was completed, leaving everything in the hands of his son, Cosimo.

Cosimo de’ Medici: The Elder

Cosimo, wise and ambitious, continued his father’s work by sponsoring art and culture and growing their commercial power. He worked with Donatello and Lippi, and commissioned Michelozzo to design Palazzo Medici Riccardi and Brunelleschi to craft the dome of Florence Cathedral.

Lorenzo de’ Medici – The Magnificent

Cosimo’s grandson, Lorenzo is synonymous with glory and magnificence in Florence. He survived the Pazzi Conspiracy when he hadn’t yet turned 30. A true prince, the Renaissance and Humanism reached their maximum expansion under his rule from an artistic, cultural, and literary point of view. He sponsored artists such as Botticelli and Michelangelo, forever changing the artistic heritage in the history of humanity.

Visit the Medici family places in Florence

Retrace the history of the Medici family through some of the most representative places in Florence: