Life in Renaissance Florence

Florence, Italy

3 hours

1 - 6 People

Details

The Renaissance period is the most celebrated era in Florentine history. The graceful paintings, daunting family legacies, moving literary tomes and stunning architectural advancements that originated during this time live on in popular imagination as the true symbols of a fully evolved and enormously creative populace. This populace is where we will focus our attentions over the course of the next three hours. The walk aims to present a comprehensive look at the rich social history in play through a series of visits where we'll talk in-depth about private and public life, creativity, religion and politics of Renaissance Florentines.

Itinerary

We'll start our time together at the medieval church of Orsanmichele. The church, once a grain market, represents the importance of the city's trade guilds who decorated the structure with ornate sculptures by some of the era's most significant artists. Orsanmichele is integral to understanding the economic and commercial atmosphere of the time. We will then continue on to the recently restored Palazzo Davanzati, an intact noble family's residence, which offers a remarkably accurate portrayal of the intimate domestic life of the Medieval and Renaissance Florentines.

After winding our way through the narrow alleys of the compact city center, largely untouched since Renaissance times, we'll continue on to any one of the 15th-century churches whose altarpieces and frescoes tell numerous tales about life in the city during this exciting time of change and progress. Art, architecture, interior furnishings, consumer goods and clothing will all be discussed at length.

Via de' Lamberti, Florence, Italy