What the monarchy did for Tuscany
Before the unification of Italy, the country as we know it today was actually made up of individual city-states, each ruled by a monarchy. Florence and the rest of the state fell under the reign of the Grand Duchy of Tuscany. Over a period of almost 300 years, a number of royal houses ruled the region. From the House of Medici to the House of Habsburb-Lorainne, each left a mark on the development of Tuscany - and in many cases, beyond.
As Florence prospered under careful leadership, many intellectuals were drawn to the city. Such a meeting of minds, along with a passion for the arts from the Duchy, led to a blossoming of creativity and the dawn of the Renaissance era. From architecture to poetry, art to science, the work of the Renaissance had a profound effect, not just on Tuscany, but the whole world.
The tradition of a ruling Duchy lasted until the unification of Italy, when the monarchy was driven out of Florence, taking their influence - and a certain much loved cigar - with them, but their legacy will go on forever.
As Florence prospered under careful leadership, many intellectuals were drawn to the city. Such a meeting of minds, along with a passion for the arts from the Duchy, led to a blossoming of creativity and the dawn of the Renaissance era. From architecture to poetry, art to science, the work of the Renaissance had a profound effect, not just on Tuscany, but the whole world.
The tradition of a ruling Duchy lasted until the unification of Italy, when the monarchy was driven out of Florence, taking their influence - and a certain much loved cigar - with them, but their legacy will go on forever.