The Medieval Tour of Florence will let you discover the most ancient soul of this city: the guilds, the tower-houses and Dante, father of the Italian language. We will see its towers, the medieval Palazzo Davanzati, and Dante Alighieri’s neighborhood and house. This is a tour for those who want to get to know Florence a bit better, instead of only scratching the surface. It’s highly recommended for children and families. Florence is widely known as the cradle of the Renaissance. However, it is in the Middle Ages that the base for the flowering of the Renaissance art in the 15th century was laid. How was the life of a medieval merchant? Did people live with all the comforts of our modern houses? How long people could expect to live in world dominated by pestilence, war and food shortages?
Firstly, we will tour together Palazzo Davanzati. It houses the Museum of the Old Florentine House. In the in the past it was the residence of the rich merchants Davanzati. Thanks to the Medieval Tour of Florence, we will discover the medieval way of life, when the houses were tower-shaped and therefore not very comfortable. At the time strolling along the streets was unsafe. The windows were not covered with glass and only the rich families could afford a well. A visit to Davanzati Palace is a proper jump back in time! Walking along the narrow streets around Piazza della Repubblica, we can find the seat of some guilds by looking at the names of the streets! Why don’t you combine this with the Tour of the Artisans of Florence, so I can take you to Orsanmichele, the Guilds’ church?
This is the area where this great poet lived. In the small Santa Margherita dei Cerchi church he married Gemma Donati, and this is also where his beloved Beatrice Portinari was buried. During the fights between the Guelphs and the Ghibellines, Florence was not a safe place and this is why many fortress-like houses were built. Indeed, the tower-houses served as a defense. When a family fell into disgrace, there were some people, known as the Buonomini (the Good Men), ready to help. Instead, the Casa di Dante Museum is a historical reconstruction of the house of the Supreme Poet. Here, we can learn about who Dante was as a man, soldier, politician, and poet, as well as what Florence was like in the Middle Ages.
What can I see in Florence if I want to explore the city’s medieval history?
The Medieval Tour of Florence focuses on the city’s medieval heritage, including Davanzati Palace, medieval tower-houses, the historic guilds, Orsanmichele Church, Dante Alighieri’s neighborhood and the hidden Oratorio dei Buonomini. It offers a deeper look at Florence before the Renaissance.
What was life like in medieval Florence?
This tour explores what everyday life was like in medieval Florence, including how wealthy merchants lived, what medieval houses were like, why tower-houses were built, and how people dealt with dangers such as war, pestilence and food shortages. At Davanzati Palace, you can step inside a reconstructed medieval Florentine home and learn how families lived centuries ago.
Can I visit places connected to Dante Alighieri in Florence?
Yes. The tour explores Dante Alighieri’s historic neighborhood, including the area around Santa Margherita dei Cerchi and the reconstructed Casa di Dante Museum. You will learn about Dante not only as a poet, but also as a soldier, politician and important figure in medieval Florence.
What role did guilds play in medieval Florence?
Guilds were an important part of Florentine medieval life, and this tour introduces you to their history through places such as Orsanmichele Church and the streets around Piazza della Repubblica. You can discover how the city’s merchants and artisans were organized and how their guilds shaped Florence.
Is the Medieval Tour of Florence suitable for children and families?
Yes. The tour is particularly recommended for children and families because it brings medieval Florence to life through stories about tower-houses, merchants, guilds, Dante and everyday life. Visiting places such as Davanzati Palace and the hidden Oratorio dei Buonomini makes the history more tangible and engaging.
