2019 marks five centuries since the birth of two major figures in Florence’s history, Cosimo I, Grand Duke of Tuscany, and Caterina de’ Medici, Queen of France. In honour of them, the City of Florence and the 500 Cosimo e Caterina committee, in collaboration with MUS.E, have organized a year of events, which is soon to come to an end. This doesn’t mean the months ahead are any less exciting, however. Indeed, October’s calendar is jam-packed with Medici adventures.
The month kicks off with three different guided tours.
The first is dedicated to exploring historic-artistic heritage from Cosimo I’s lifetime (October 2, 3, 9, 10), while the second dives into the wonders of the Medici with tours and workshops for children at the Medici villas of Castello, La Petraia and Cerreto Guidi for members of UniCoop Firenze (October 5 and 6); the third introduces visitors to important sites related to the life of Cosimo I (October 20 and 27). The events also include a series of conferences, like Sunday Lectures: A Look at Cosimo I de’ Medici (October 6), Cosimo I: Half a Millennium (October 11 and 25), Camilla Martelli: Myth and Reality (October 17) and Caterina De’ Medici’s Wedding Banquet (October 28, the anniversary of her marriage to Henry II of France in 1533).
Commemorations continue with the exhibition Cosimo I de’ Medici’s Books, showcasing manuscripts from the Grand Duke’s private collection (running until October 18 at the Laurentian Library). Entertainment rounds out the calendar, with two theatre performances: The Duchess at the Monastery. Caterina at Le Murate (October 20 at Le Murate) and The Distinguished Duke: Cosimo I de’ Medici (October 25 in the Salone dei Cinquecento, Palazzo Vecchio).
Information about the events can be found on the website, www.500cosimocaterina.it/calendario
and Facebook page
Watch Florence TV (in English):
http://www.florence.tv/in-english/
Listen to the playlist (in English):
www.theflr.net/florencetvplaylist
T.me/florencetv.
