Free Medici Tour Florence

Discover all there is to know about one of Italy’s most influential families on the Free Medici Tour in Florence. This tour will take visitors on an exploration of Florence and to the main landmarks connected with one of the most powerful families in history. You will learn the extent of the huge artistic legacy they left behind, as well as some family secrets. Most tours start near the Palazzo Medici Riccardi, the Medici family’s first home in the San Lorenzo district. Exploring this area will give guests an incredible insight into their lifestyle. Here, you will get a brief introduction to the House of Medici and how it rose to power after the family established the Medici Bank in 1397.

From here, guests on the Medici Free Tour will continue wandering through Florence's beautiful old town, where the power and wealth of the Medici are evident in many of the main landmark buildings. On reaching the stunning Piazza della Signoria, guests will encounter the incredible Palazzo Vecchio, the family’s second residence, which is now the town hall office. As guests examine the building, they’ll notice a covered passageway running along the top—the Vasari Corridor. It was used by the Medici to privately cross the city and connects many of the key buildings on both sides of the river. Another highlight of the tour is the San Lorenzo Basilica, one of the largest churches in Florence and the burial place of the Medici.

Along the route, guests will hear stories of conspiracies, intrigues, and power struggles as well as discover the incredible forward planning that assured Florence would remain one of the most important art and cultural centers in the world. Towards the end of the route, guests will find the majestic Palazzo Pitti, the last Florentine residence of the House of Medici. Before finishing the tour, your guide will tell you about the downfall of the Medici dynasty after nearly 300 years of rule in Florence. During the tour, do not hesitate to ask your guide as many questions as you wish. And, of course, guests on the tour will leave with many recommendations and tips for the rest of their stay.