What Did the Medici Family Do to Make Up for Their Sin
Permit'southward face information technology, nobody rocked the Renaissance as the Medici family unit did. They were known for their banking prowess, the Medici family unit were too famed patrons of the arts. These famous Florentines did everything they could to rising to power, and intrigue surrounds them. Hither are ten Medici family facts yous may not know.
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12. The Medici Family Weren't Nobles
Well, at to the lowest degree they didn't accept noble blood. But the Medici family tree is full of intelligence and shrewd business apprehending. And if yous know the answer to "where did the Medici family live?" then y'all know why they were proclaimed the "M Dukes of Tuscany."
Of course, they didn't want their small origins to be remembered. That's why they encouraged the spread of rumors about their roots. Such legends included that the family descended from the god Perseus. Another legend claimed that the family is related to one of Charlemagne's knights who defeated a behemothic.
11. They Were the Wealthiest Family in the 15th Century
The Medici family started the most popular bank in Europe, the Medici bank, and they pioneered writing rules most loans. At one betoken, the Medicis managed the majority of slap-up fortunes in Europe, from merchants to members of royalty.
For a time, the currency issued by the Medici bank, the florin, was the preferred currency for business through Europe. Historians say that the famous "palle" (assurance) on the Medici glaze of artillery, represents coins. You tin can nonetheless see their "logo" on several buildings throughout Florence.
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10. They Were Of import Patrons of Art
Art came at high prices, even during the Renaissance. The Medicis believed that common folk should be able to view and appreciate art, fifty-fifty if they couldn't afford to purchase it.
This is the reason why they are considered the kickoff marketers of art in modern history. The Medici family believed that paying for art, then giving it away to the church building and city was their "Stairway to Heaven".
ix. They Were Tight with Michelangelo
Speaking of fine art, Michelangelo was linked direct to the Medici Family. It was a love/detest relationship between Michelangelo and the Medicis, but some of the work they deputed from him turned into his well-nigh iconic masterpieces, including the Moses, the Sistine Chapel and the statue of the David. The David is then iconic, that now it'due south the symbol of Florence.
8. They Played a Role in the Cosmos of Gelato
The famous Florentine family was instrumental in the creation of 1 of Italy'due south delicacies: gelato. The Florentine chef Bernardo Buontalenti invented modern gelato in 1565, when the Grand Duke Cosimo I de' Medici asked him to organize a feast to receive the Castilian deputation.
He decided to surprise everybody with a new invention, a tasty dessert based on eggnog, milk and fruit, giving birth to the famous "Florentine foam" and "Buontalenti". So next time you treat yourself to some gelato, thank the Medici family.
7. Some Members of the Medici Family Became Popes
Four popes were Medicis, to be exact. The most famous, Giovanni di Lorenzo de' Medici, known equally Leo Ten, had superb gustation in fine art (like the rest of his illustrious relatives). He wanted to rebuild and restructure St. Peter'due south Basilica with the assistance of Michelangelo, but there wasn't enough money.
That'south why he created the "indulgences", documents which declared that people who contributed to the cathedral were absolved of sins in substitution for coin. Not everybody liked this thought, especially a homo that was rising against the Church: Martin Luther.
six. They Had Their Ain Alchemist
The Medici even had an alchemist, Francesco di Medici. He had a secret room, Lo Studiolo, inside the Palazzo Vecchio, decorated with hidden closets total of exotic potions and weird things from all over the world. The legend says he had a special closet for a coveted substance: opium.
5. …And Their Ain Mathematician
Information technology's pretty obvious there are things money can't buy. Well, unless yous can count Galileo Galilei as your personal mathematician, philosopher and close buddy. Galileo gifted his erstwhile pupil, the Thousand Duke Cosimo II of Tuscany, the Medician stars, a discovery of iv celestial orbs that became the perfect mode to honor the renowned Medici family unit.
four. They Definitely Weren't Vegans
They were huge fans of meat, in all of its forms: chicken liver, duck, wild boar prosciutto and, of class, bistecca alla fiorentina (T-bone steak). Back in those days, this wasn't seen equally an unhealthy diet, it was more of a precious and wealthy one.
That's why some of the most well-known Medicis, like Cosimo the Elderberry, suffered from gout, known as the disease of the kings. While we don't recommend you eat it breakfast, lunch and dinner, Florentine steak is succulent. Try it on our Florence Evening Food Tour with Vino Tasting and Steak.
3. They Valued Art Preservation
Because of her generous dearest for the urban center of Florence, the last descendant of the family, Anna Maria Luisa de' Medici, created the "Family Pacts", which ensures the preservation of whatsoever of the Medici family unit'southward artwork.
The pact states that the artworks belong to the land to brainwash people about the Medici family and attract foreigners. Thanks to this legacy, we can enjoy with countless treasures in Florence, like the Uffizi Gallery.
two. They Built the Uffizi every bit their Offices
That's right, the Uffizi Gallery in Florence was their identify of business. In English language it is definitely a surprise, but for Italian speakers information technology makes sense. Uffizi literally translates to offices in English.
Best Selling Bout
Florence Walking Tour with Statue of David
Michelangelo is considered the greatest Renaissance artist and the David statue is widely known equally his masterpeice. Join our English speaking guide every bit you skip the line to Accademia and see David. Then venture out to see the center of Florence including the Duomo (outside), Baptistry Doors, Leather Market, and more than. Admissions included.
See Prices
Elevation Rated Tour
Skip the line Uffizi Gallery Tour
The Uffizi Gallery is the nearly visited museum in Florence for practiced reason. Join our English speaking licensed Uffizi guide for a journey through the Medician Renaissance. Larn all the stories backside the very art that brought our world out of the darkness. All admissions included.
See Prices
1. They Did Not Take to Walk Outside
One of the most astounding facts nigh the Medici Family is they did not have to step outside if they did non please. They lived in the Pitti Palace in Florence which is beyond the Ponte Vecchio from the Uffizi. That means you need to cross the Arno river by way of the Ponte Vecchio to get from their palace, the Pitti Palace, to their offices, the Uffizi.
The Medici hired Giorgio Vasari to build the 760 meter long corridor from their identify of residence to Palazzo Signoria which is now named Palazzo Vecchio. This is where the government of Florence was held. A democracy controlled by the Medici through cronies.
The corridor built by Vasari is 505 meters long spanning from Palazzo Pitti to the Uffizi. The additional 155 meters would include walking through the Uffizi Gallery to the Palazzo Vecchio.
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Source: https://theromanguy.com/italy-travel-blog/florence/facts-about-the-medici-family/
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