The Medici family ruled Florence through banking, politics and patronage from the 15th to the 17th century. Coming to power under Cosimo de’ Medici, the lineage produced four popes and two queens of France as well as creating an environment in which art, culture and humanism flourished. The beauty of today’s Florence is a product of the far-sightedness of this enlightened family. Try one of these 3 Medici tours to find out more.
Take a tour of the Medici homes
Join this fascinating two-hour walk to discover all about the history of the powerful Medici dynasty. A professional tour guide explains the stories of power struggles, secrets and betrayals as well as incredible foresight while admiring the palaces, monuments, streets and squares where the members of the Medici family lived and used their political and economic power: Palazzo Medici Riccardi, their first residence in the San Lorenzo district, where you can find their mausoleum, the Medici Chapels. Next up is the Palazzo Vecchio before retracing the entirety of the Vasari Corridor, the elevated passageway that connects the Palazzo Vecchio, Uffizi and the Palazzo Pitti, their third residence.
Walk in the Medici footsteps
Take this Medici walking tour to find out more about Florence’s original ruling family in the company of an experienced and entertaining tour guide. The experience begins with an introduction to the Medici family before pausing in piazza della Signoria, dominated by the striking Palazzo Vecchio, then the cathedral square with Giotto’s bell tower and the Baptistery, before continuing to Orsanmichele, once the city’s grain store, and the Santa Trinita church. The tour goes to an end in the Oltrarno neighbourhood with a delicious gelato or a cup of coffee, surrounding by artisan workshops and antique shops.
See inside the Boboli Gardens
Visit the Boboli Gardens, a feat of architecture, urban planning and gardening on this mesmerizing two-hour Medici walking tour of Florence. From Palazzo Medici Riccardi to the Medici Chapels, past the Cathedral, Brunelleschi’s Dome and the Vasari Corridor, crossing the River Arno over the Ponte Vecchio, the professionally led tour ends in the Boboli Gardens, which sprawl behind the Pitti Palace, originally the residence of Luca Pitti before being acquired by the Medici family in 1549. Admission to the grand ducal gardens is included in this walking tour, enabling you to see inside the vast green expanse dotted with statues, grottos and fountains.
