Where does the Medici family trail start?

The route begins at the Palazzo Vecchio in Piazza della Signoria, which is the historic heart of Florentine political life. It is easily reachable on foot from most central Florence hotels or via the C1 bus line.

Is this walking tour Florence route suitable for families?

Yes, it is a great way for families to explore. The route includes iconic landmarks like the Ponte Vecchio, which children usually enjoy, and the stories of the 'Kings of Florence' provide an engaging historical narrative without being overly academic.

What are the best landmarks to see on a Medici history walk?

Key landmarks include the Palazzo Vecchio, the Ponte Vecchio (featuring the Vasari Corridor), the massive Palazzo Pitti, the Medici Chapels, and the original family home at the Medici Riccardi Palace. These sites represent the family's 300-year influence on the city.

Can I see the Vasari Corridor on this route?

While the interior of the Vasari Corridor is often closed for renovation or requires special access, this route allows you to see the exterior path of the corridor as it runs across the Ponte Vecchio and through the city streets, which is a highlight of the self-guided walk.

Is there a lot of walking on this Florence route?

The total distance is approximately 2 kilometers (1.2 miles). The terrain is mostly flat, though you will be on your feet for several hours if you stop at every location, so comfortable walking shoes are highly recommended.

What is the best time to explore the San Lorenzo neighborhood?

Early morning is best to see the architecture before the street markets fully set up, or late afternoon when the market stalls begin to close and the facade of the Basilica is bathed in golden light.

Do I need tickets for the Medici Chapels?

Yes, if you wish to see the Michelangelo sculptures and the Chapel of the Princes, you must purchase a ticket for the Museo delle Cappelle Medicee. It is one of the most popular sites in Florence, so checking hours in advance is wise.

Is this walking tour Florence route accessible for strollers?

Generally, yes. The route follows public sidewalks and pedestrian zones. However, be prepared for some bumpy cobblestones in the older parts of the city and heavy crowds near the Ponte Vecchio which can make maneuvering a stroller challenging.

Zigway - The Guide Follows You

About This Tour

Step into the world of the family that financed the Renaissance and transformed Florence from a medieval commune into a global center of art and power. This self-guided walk traces the rise, reign, and legacy of the Medici dynasty, leading you through the very streets where they plotted their ascent and commissioned the world's most famous masterpieces. Unlike a standard walking tour Florence might offer, this route allows you to linger under the shadows of towering palaces and explore the intricate connections between politics and patronage at your own pace. Your journey begins in the heart of civic power at the Palazzo Vecchio, the fortress-like palace that served as the family's first major residence after they consolidated control. From there, you will follow the invisible path of the Vasari Corridor, crossing the iconic Ponte Vecchio. This elevated walkway was designed to allow the grand dukes to move between their offices and their homes without ever stepping foot on the crowded streets. As you arrive at the massive Palazzo Pitti, you will witness the scale of their ultimate ambition—a palace so grand it redefined European royal architecture. Returning across the Arno, the route shifts from public displays of power to the private realm of the family's origins. You will explore the San Lorenzo neighborhood, the Medici's personal 'parish.' Here, the Basilica di San Lorenzo and the breathtaking Medici Chapels serve as a testament to their religious devotion and their desire for immortality through art. The walk concludes at the Medici Riccardi Palace, the elegant residence where the family’s golden age began under Cosimo the Elder and Lorenzo the Magnificent. This neighborhood stroll offers a profound look at how one family’s taste and wealth permanently altered the skyline of Florence, making it an essential experience for any history enthusiast.

Highlights

Discover the hidden history of the Vasari Corridor above the Ponte Vecchio

Marvel at the imposing facade of Palazzo Pitti, the grand ducal residence

Explore the San Lorenzo neighborhood, the ancestral heart of the Medici

See the fortress-like Palazzo Vecchio where the family first held court

Visit the Medici Riccardi Palace, the prototype for Renaissance urban living

Witness the architectural evolution from medieval defense to Baroque opulence

Tour Stops (6)

Palazzo Vecchio

Standing before the crenelated tower of Palazzo Vecchio, you are looking at the historic seat of Florentine government. Originally built as the Palazzo della Signoria for the Republic’s leaders, it became a Medici stronghold when Cosimo I moved his family here in 1540. This move was a powerful symbolic statement: the family was no longer just citizens; they were the masters of the state. Notice the contrast between the rugged, defensive exterior and the lavishly decorated interiors visible through the courtyard. It was here that the Medici began transforming Florence into a Grand Duchy, merging the city's Republican traditions with their own monarchical ambitions.

Ponte Vecchio

The Ponte Vecchio is Florence’s oldest bridge, but its current appearance owes much to the Medici. In the 16th century, the family commissioned Giorgio Vasari to build an elevated corridor atop the bridge. This 'Vasari Corridor' allowed the Medici to walk between the Palazzo Vecchio and the Palazzo Pitti in total privacy and safety. Legend has it that the Grand Duke also ordered the removal of the bridge's smelly butcher shops, replacing them with the gold and silver smiths that still line the bridge today. As you walk across, look up to see the small windows of the corridor where the dukes once peered down at the commoners below.

Palazzo Pitti

Crossing into the Oltrarno district, you encounter the massive scale of Palazzo Pitti. Originally started by a rival family, the Pitti, it was purchased by Eleonora di Toledo, the wife of Cosimo I, who wanted a healthier residence away from the city center. This palace became the primary residence of the Medici Grand Dukes and later the Habsburg-Lorraine and Savoy dynasties. Its vast, rusticated stone facade was intended to intimidate and impress. Behind these walls, the family curated one of the world's greatest art collections and established the Boboli Gardens, which set the standard for Italian garden design for centuries to come.

Basilica di San Lorenzo

The Basilica di San Lorenzo was the Medici's personal church. While the facade remains an unfinished wall of rough brick—Michelangelo’s design for it was never realized—the interior is a masterpiece of early Renaissance architecture by Filippo Brunelleschi. The Medici poured enormous wealth into this building to ensure their family would be remembered. Inside the Old Sacristy, you can see the tombs of the early Medici, including Giovanni di Bicci, the man who founded the Medici Bank. The church serves as a bridge between the family’s humble beginnings as merchants and their eventual status as European royalty.

Cappelle Medicee (Medici Chapels)

Located at the rear of San Lorenzo, the Medici Chapels are the final resting place of the dynasty's most famous members. The Chapel of the Princes is a dizzying display of opulence, covered entirely in semi-precious stones and marble, reflecting the late Medici's obsession with status. However, the true highlight is the New Sacristy, designed by Michelangelo. Here, the artist sculpted the famous allegorical figures of Night, Day, Dawn, and Dusk for the tombs of Lorenzo and Giuliano de' Medici. These statues represent some of the highest achievements of Renaissance sculpture, commissioned by a family that viewed art as the ultimate legacy.

Medici Riccardi Palace

This walk concludes where the Medici's true golden age began. Built for Cosimo the Elder in the mid-15th century, the Medici Riccardi Palace was the family's home during the time of Lorenzo the Magnificent. It was in this building that the Platonic Academy met and where a young Michelangelo lived as a protégé of the family. The palace's design, with its heavy stonework at the bottom becoming lighter as it rises, became the blueprint for Renaissance residences. Inside, the Procession of the Magi chapel contains frescoes where the Medici family members are depicted as kings, signaling their early, quiet dominance over the city.

Frequently Asked Questions

The walking route itself takes about 45 minutes of active walking time, but with stops to admire the architecture and history, you should allow between 2 to 3 hours. If you choose to enter the museums like Palazzo Pitti or the Medici Chapels, this will extend your time significantly.