Florence: Guided Tour Medici Family Secrets, Chapels and History
Description
Medici Focused Storytelling: Go beyond general Florence tours with a deep dive into the lives, power, and legacy of the Medici family, arguably the most influential patrons of the Renaissance. Curated Itinerary of Medici Landmarks: Riccardi Medici Palace, Palazzo Vecchio, and the Medici Chapels, all tied to the family's rise and reign over Florence. Exclusive Access: Benefit from pre-booked entry to the Medici Chapels and Michelangelo’s New Sacristy, avoiding long lines and uncovering hidden details with your guide. Expert Local Guide: Be led by a guide well-versed in Medici history and Renaissance art, bringing to life the family’s influence on politics, religion, and culture. Perfect for Art & History Lovers: This tour is tailored for those who want to understand the connection between power, art, and architecture in shaping Florence's identity.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Enjoy skip-the-line access to the Medici Chapel. Marvel at the powerful marble figures carved by Michelangelo and the intricate mosaic work. Admire the Chapel of the Princes, adorned with marble and sparkling, semi-precious stones. Learn about Michelangelo’s Secret Room, where the artist hid for many weeks in 1530, all from an external viewpoint. Explore the family's hidden crypt. This vaulted chamber remained undiscovered until 2004 when researchers lifted a stone slab behind the chapels' main altar.
See the exterior of Palazzo Medici Riccardi while exploring the rich history of the Medici family with your guide. Uncover the delicate relationship between art and power as your expert guide enlightens you about the Medici’s influence on Florence. Admire the intricate decorations of the courtyard from the outside.
Learn about the family’s founders and the rapid success of their bank, which became one of the most successful in Europe. Marvel at the exceptional design and architecture of the Basilica di San Lorenzo from the square.
Stroll across the main square where the Duomo is and venture into the charming streets of the San Lorenzo neighborhood to explore this historic district.
Delve into the world of the Medicis and their intense rivalries with other prominent families, such as the Strozzis and the Pazzis. Uncover hidden secrets as you explore the historical streets and squares of this vibrant city led by an expert guide. Begin your journey at the Piazza della Signoria, the center of political life in Florence since the 14th century.
Explore how the medieval building of the municipal government became a Medici Palace in 1540. Immerse yourself in the enthralling history of the Medici family as you see the Palazzo Vecchio from an exclusive vantage point.
Conclude your tour at the Piazzale degli Uffizi, reflecting on the art, power, and hidden secrets that shaped one of the most powerful families in Renaissance history. At the end of the tour, your knowledgeable guide will be delighted to offer valuable suggestions to enhance the rest of your unforgettable Florence experience.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Large bags and backpacks are not allowed in the monument.
- Clients must arrive at the meeting point 15 minutes before the start of the tour.
- Tickets are timed and expire within 5 to 10 minutes.
- Please be advised that it is not possible to join the tour after it has commenced.
- Tips/gratuities (for your guide) are always appreciated.
Reviews(16)
During this tour, you only go inside the Medici crypt, tomb, and the new sacristy. You do not go into the Palazzo Medici Riccardi. That means, for the last hour or so, you walk around the squares of Florence covering information that every other basic walking tour of Florence does. I was tempted to leave early. The guide provided some interesting information, but lacked the quantity of details and stories I would have expected on a Medici-specific tour.
This company offers no customer service. If you are even 5 minutes late they leave, and refuse to refund any of the fees you paid. Also, there office person is difficult to understand and hung up on me. If I could give a “zero” rating I would. Buyer beware, this company just takes your money!!
Hi Robert, You were 19 minutes late and at the incorrect meeting spot. Of course, the group departed as scheduled. As these are scheduled group tours with timed entries and other guests waiting, our guides are unable to delay departures once the tour has started. This is especially important at sites with strict entrance windows and pre-reserved tickets. Do not be late.
Great overview of the influence of the medicis in Florence and their all pervasive impact on art architecture and the cultural landscape Marco does a great job in providing this insight in a short space of time
In depth overview of a period of the Medici dynasty, along with some brilliant art work as part of the tour.
Great guide, Marco. Very knowledgeable and friendly. Lots of information and beautiful. Just enough walking and orientation to city.
There is so much to know about this influential family. What a great tour! Martina was an excellent guide.
We booked this tour last minute, wanting to learn more about the Florentine history that isn’t captured in the main museums. We were not disappointed. Vanessa, our tour guide, provided an overview of the Medici family tree so we’d have context before entering the chapels and walking to various landmarks throughout the city. She shared lots of insight into the family’s influence while also giving us some time to roam on our own. The information we gathered from this tour helped us to better appreciate the Palazzo Pitti which we visited later that day. If it’s your first time in Florence and you’re looking for a tour with a solid foundation of the city’s history (as influenced greatly by the Medici) this is the tour to book.
Excellent tour! Vanessa was very knowledgeable and now I cannot wait to learn more about the Medici.
Our guide was extremely knowledgeable!!! Repelling of historical events in story form brought the Medici family to life. So much fascinating details. It’s difficult to share just one that stands out amongst the rest. Thank you!!!!
Excellent and very informative tour. Lots of great information about the Medici's. Highly recommend.
