An itinerary through art and history via the sites of the politician
Niccolò Machiavelli, the father of modern political science, also spent some of his life in Tuscany, mainly in Florence. Ideally, you can combine monuments, works and figures in a tour of the city, which will take you into the glorious history of the Medici Seigniory and its artists, culture, art, and literature.
The itinerary begins at the Convent of San Marco, where the figure of Machiavelli intersects with that of Girolamo Savonarola, who was burned alive in Piazza Signoria in 1498 after being accused of heresy.
In the same year, Machiavelli penned a letter to the papal ambassador. Ricciardo Becchi, informing him of the friar’s actions and prophecies.
From that point forth, Savonarola no longer preached in Florence Cathedral, but was transferred to the Convent of San Marco.
Here, you can admire the portraits of Savonarola by Fra’ Bartolomeo. In the first, he appears austere yet in the second, he is depicted in the guise of Saint Peter of Verona, softened and with a proud look in his eyes.
The itinerary begins at the Convent of San Marco, where the figure of Machiavelli intersects with that of Girolamo Savonarola, who was burned alive in Piazza Signoria in 1498 after being accused of heresy.
In the same year, Machiavelli penned a letter to the papal ambassador. Ricciardo Becchi, informing him of the friar’s actions and prophecies.
From that point forth, Savonarola no longer preached in Florence Cathedral, but was transferred to the Convent of San Marco.
Here, you can admire the portraits of Savonarola by Fra’ Bartolomeo. In the first, he appears austere yet in the second, he is depicted in the guise of Saint Peter of Verona, softened and with a proud look in his eyes.
From Piazza San Marco, we continue along Via Cavour, reaching Palazzo Medici Riccardi after just 0.30 miles (500 meters), built by Michelozzo in the mid-1400s at the behest of Cosimo Il Vecchio. This is one of the city’s most important historical palaces, a symbol of the Medici’s political and cultural role in Florence spanning over a century and considered the prototype of Florentine aristocratic residences thanks to its grandeur and austerity.
Apparently, it was here that Machiavelli’s comedy “The Mandrake” was performed to celebrate the wedding of Lorenzo di Piero de’ Medici (also known as Lorenzo the Magnificent). The work goes beyond comedy and is considered a true political allegory.
From Piazza San Marco, we continue along Via Cavour, reaching Palazzo Medici Riccardi after just 0.30 miles (500 meters), built by Michelozzo in the mid-1400s at the behest of Cosimo Il Vecchio. This is one of the city’s most important historical palaces, a symbol of the Medici’s political and cultural role in Florence spanning over a century and considered the prototype of Florentine aristocratic residences thanks to its grandeur and austerity.
Apparently, it was here that Machiavelli’s comedy “The Mandrake” was performed to celebrate the wedding of Lorenzo di Piero de’ Medici (also known as Lorenzo the Magnificent). The work goes beyond comedy and is considered a true political allegory.
The journey then continues to one of the most beautiful churches in Florence, the Basilica of San Lorenzo, linked to the figure of Machiavelli and to the letter he sent to Papal Ambassador Ricciardo Becchi about Savonarola’s prophecies. In this epistle, the Florentine writer relates that the friar decided to address his sermons in San Marco to men and those in San Lorenzo to women. This testimony emphasizes the diversity of religious and political messages with respect to the gender of citizens. It would be 1418, however, when the church began to become one of the symbolic places of the Renaissance thanks to Michelangelo’s works such as the Biblioteca Laurenziana, the Sagrestia Nuova, and the Medici Chapels.
The journey then continues to one of the most beautiful churches in Florence, the Basilica of San Lorenzo, linked to the figure of Machiavelli and to the letter he sent to Papal Ambassador Ricciardo Becchi about Savonarola’s prophecies. In this epistle, the Florentine writer relates that the friar decided to address his sermons in San Marco to men and those in San Lorenzo to women. This testimony emphasizes the diversity of religious and political messages with respect to the gender of citizens. It would be 1418, however, when the church began to become one of the symbolic places of the Renaissance thanks to Michelangelo’s works such as the Biblioteca Laurenziana, the Sagrestia Nuova, and the Medici Chapels.
The emblematic square of Florentine political power also ideally represents the happiest years of Machiavelli’s life. During this time, the writer succeeded in serving his homeland as Secretary and Second Chancellor of the republican government after the expulsion of the Medici clan (1498–1512).
Piazza della Signoria is closely connected to Palazzo Vecchio, where resided the Gonfaloniere for Life Piero Soderini, a close associate of the writer. This square is considered as the material and symbolic place not only of political life but also of civil life, as opposed to Piazza del Duomo, which instead symbolized royal power.
Worth visiting on the itinerary are the works that overlook the Piazza, starting with the Loggia della Signoria (later called the Loggia dei Lanzi), the copy of Michelangelo’s David (the original of which has been in the Galleria dell’Accademia since 1873).
The tour of sites connected to Machiavelli then continues to the Bargello Museum, once known as the Palazzo del Capitano del Popolo and one of the oldest public buildings in Florence.
Inside the building is an important collection of weapons of war from the era of the writer and politician. These arms were employed when Machiavelli joined the Florentine militia against Pisa.
The emblematic square of Florentine political power also ideally represents the happiest years of Machiavelli’s life. During this time, the writer succeeded in serving his homeland as Secretary and Second Chancellor of the republican government after the expulsion of the Medici clan (1498–1512).
Piazza della Signoria is closely connected to Palazzo Vecchio, where resided the Gonfaloniere for Life Piero Soderini, a close associate of the writer. This square is considered as the material and symbolic place not only of political life but also of civil life, as opposed to Piazza del Duomo, which instead symbolized royal power.
Worth visiting on the itinerary are the works that overlook the Piazza, starting with the Loggia della Signoria (later called the Loggia dei Lanzi), the copy of Michelangelo’s David (the original of which has been in the Galleria dell’Accademia since 1873).
The tour of sites connected to Machiavelli then continues to the Bargello Museum, once known as the Palazzo del Capitano del Popolo and one of the oldest public buildings in Florence.
Inside the building is an important collection of weapons of war from the era of the writer and politician. These arms were employed when Machiavelli joined the Florentine militia against Pisa.
If Piazza della Signoria represent the most glorious years of Machiavelli’s life, the Tabernacolo delle Stinche recalls his darkest. Right here, just a few steps from the Bargello, where Via Ghibellina intersects with Via Isola delle Stinche, this sacrament house represented a stop for those condemned to death who were coming from the prison of the same name and could find solace in this religious symbol.
Machiavelli was also imprisoned in the Prigioni delle Stinche after the sack of Prato, which ended the republican government and sanctioned the return of the Medici. The writer was jailed on charges of conspiring with the government of the Signoria of Florence.
If Piazza della Signoria represent the most glorious years of Machiavelli’s life, the Tabernacolo delle Stinche recalls his darkest. Right here, just a few steps from the Bargello, where Via Ghibellina intersects with Via Isola delle Stinche, this sacrament house represented a stop for those condemned to death who were coming from the prison of the same name and could find solace in this religious symbol.
Machiavelli was also imprisoned in the Prigioni delle Stinche after the sack of Prato, which ended the republican government and sanctioned the return of the Medici. The writer was jailed on charges of conspiring with the government of the Signoria of Florence.
The itinerary then continues to two locations connected to Machiavelli’s last years of life, from 1520 to his death. Casa Buonarroti, which preserves objects of great historical and artistic value—from sculptures to the artist’s drawings of fortifications to protect Florence—and the Basilica of Santa Croce where the philosopher-writer was laid to rest in 1527.
The Basilica Santa Croce is considered one of the city’s main monuments because of its Gothic facade and memorials of famous people in history: Dante Alighieri, Galileo Galilei, Michelangelo and Ugo Foscolo. A historical place not only for Italy but also Europe.
The itinerary then continues to two locations connected to Machiavelli’s last years of life, from 1520 to his death. Casa Buonarroti, which preserves objects of great historical and artistic value—from sculptures to the artist’s drawings of fortifications to protect Florence—and the Basilica of Santa Croce where the philosopher-writer was laid to rest in 1527.
The Basilica Santa Croce is considered one of the city’s main monuments because of its Gothic facade and memorials of famous people in history: Dante Alighieri, Galileo Galilei, Michelangelo and Ugo Foscolo. A historical place not only for Italy but also Europe.
The route ends at Palazzo Strozzi, home of the Istituto Nazionale di Studi sul Rinascimento (National Institute for Renaissance Studies), where the Fondo Machiavelli-Serristori is preserved, safeguarding ancient volumes now owned by the Region of Tuscany.
The extremely rich archive represents a privileged gateway to better understanding the European dimension of the figure of Machiavelli.
The Palazzo where it is housed, located between Piazza della Repubblica and Via Tornabuoni, was constructed at the behest of Filippo Strozzi the Elder to redeem the reputation of his own family, which had been penalized in the past for taking anti-Medicean positions. The Palazzo’s foundation stone was laid in August 1489. Today, a portrait of Machiavelli by Rosso Fiorentino is also kept here.
Thus ends the itinerary dedicated to Machiavelli, who was not only a great Italian scholar but also an important figure for Florence’s reputation in Europe.
The route ends at Palazzo Strozzi, home of the Istituto Nazionale di Studi sul Rinascimento (National Institute for Renaissance Studies), where the Fondo Machiavelli-Serristori is preserved, safeguarding ancient volumes now owned by the Region of Tuscany.
The extremely rich archive represents a privileged gateway to better understanding the European dimension of the figure of Machiavelli.
The Palazzo where it is housed, located between Piazza della Repubblica and Via Tornabuoni, was constructed at the behest of Filippo Strozzi the Elder to redeem the reputation of his own family, which had been penalized in the past for taking anti-Medicean positions. The Palazzo’s foundation stone was laid in August 1489. Today, a portrait of Machiavelli by Rosso Fiorentino is also kept here.
Thus ends the itinerary dedicated to Machiavelli, who was not only a great Italian scholar but also an important figure for Florence’s reputation in Europe.