Florence through the Backdoor

Florence is an open-air living museum. Still today a city of workshops, markets, little alleyways that lead to architectural and cultural marvels. In this amazing town, extraordinary personalities have crossed paths. We find here an intricate play of wealth and power, genius, and invention.

From the 13th century, the city was run by an oligarchy of wealthy merchants and bankers who through political and artistic patronage, finance the Renaissance. The Medici, emerging as the most powerful of these families, will control the city from behind-the-scenes throughout the 15th century. From the 1500s-1700s, they will be rulers of Florence and the Grand Duchy of Tuscany. The family will die off in the mid-1700s leaving an immense legacy of art & science, knowledge & philosophy, land, palaces and villas to the City of Florence and humanity.  

On this walk, we will explore the city and allow it to unveil its complex layers as we observe peculiar aspects of medieval Florence, admire the restrained grandeur of Renaissance palaces and the art commissioned by the Medici and their associates, or their rivals.

Duration: 3 hrs
Sites visited: Duomo, Baptistry & Bell Tower (from the outside), Piazza della Repubblica, Piazza della Signoria, Palazzo Vecchio, Ponte Vecchio, Vasari Corridor, Orsanmichele, Medieval and Renaissance palaces and other smaller churches*
Price for 1-8pax: €270
Additional forfeit price for headsets for 5-8 pax: €30.

* Since there is no priority entry to the Duomo, we do not enter the cathedral on this tour unless we see that lines are short. We may, however, visit minor churches that require a dress code. Please dress appropriately with covered shoulders and knees.