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Florence

The Price of Beauty: Blood, Banks, and the Florentine Renaissance

2.6 km111 min8 stops

What awaits you on this Red Thread tour

Forget the sanitized history of enlightened philosophers and peaceful painters. The Florentine Renaissance was forged in the fires of cutthroat capitalism, bitter family rivalries, and a desperate scramble for political dominance. On this redthread tour, you will walk the streets where the Medici family built an empire on double-entry bookkeeping, where merchant guilds operated like cartels, and where art was the ultimate weapon of propaganda. Discover how the world's most breathtaking masterpieces were paid for by bankers trying to buy their way out of hell.

Itinerary

1

TOUR START

Palazzo Vecchio

The fortress-like seat of the Florentine Republic, where political stability and fierce civic pride laid the groundwork for the Renaissance.

Palazzo Vecchio

Pic by Roger Wollstadt on Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0)

0.23 km • 3 min
2

STOP 2

Orsanmichele

A unique hybrid of grain market and church, funded by Florence's powerful trade guilds to showcase their wealth and piety.

Orsanmichele

Pic by Guido Castelli66 on Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)

0.32 km • 5 min
3

STOP 3

Baptistery of St. John

The ancient octagonal site of the 1401 bronze door competition, widely considered the starting point of the Renaissance.

Baptistery of St. John

Pic by Gzen92 on Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)

0.18 km • 3 min
4

STOP 4

Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore

Home to Brunelleschi's impossible dome, the ultimate symbol of Florentine civic pride and technological innovation.

Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore

Pic by FrancescoSchiraldi85 on Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)

0.37 km • 6 min
5

STOP 5

Palazzo Medici Riccardi

The prototype of the Renaissance palace, where the Medici family used their banking fortune to unofficially rule Florence.

Palazzo Medici Riccardi

Pic by Ricardalovesmonuments on Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)

0.23 km • 4 min
6

STOP 6

Basilica di San Lorenzo

The parish church of the Medici, redesigned by Brunelleschi, showcasing the intersection of private wealth and religious architecture.

Basilica di San Lorenzo

Pic by Txllxt TxllxT on Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)

0.90 km • 14 min
7

STOP 7

Ospedale degli Innocenti

Designed by Brunelleschi, this foundling hospital represents the birth of Renaissance architecture and humanist civic welfare.

Ospedale degli Innocenti

Pic by Manuelarosi on Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)

0.40 km • 6 min
8

END

Museo di San Marco

A Dominican convent renovated with Medici money, highlighting the complex relationship between immense wealth and spiritual piety.

Museo di San Marco

Pic by Domenico Ghirlandaio on Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)

Where the tour takes place

Starting point and rough tour area – the exact route unfolds in the app.

Good to know

  • Ideal for History buffs, art lovers, and anyone fascinated by political intrigue, the origins of modern capitalism, and the gritty reality behind beautiful facades.
  • Best time Early morning or late afternoon to avoid the heaviest crowds and catch the golden Tuscan light on the stone facades.
  • What to bring Comfortable walking shoes are a must for the cobblestones, and a bottle of water.
  • Dress code Shoulders and knees must be covered if you plan to enter any of the churches along the route.
  • Pacing Take your time. Florence is dense; don't rush the walks between stops.
  • Tickets While the tour focuses on exteriors, booking advance tickets for the Duomo or San Marco is highly recommended.
  • Mind the crowds Piazza della Signoria and the Duomo get very busy; keep an eye on your belongings.
  • Your voucher You can redeem your voucher for two years from purchase. Once redeemed, you have 14 days of access and can enjoy the tour as often as you like during that time.

Your guide

Max Krämer
Audio sample
0:000:00

Max Krämer

  • History & Memory
  • Northern Germany

Historian with a passion for urban places of remembrance. Has worked in archives and museums for years; shows the traces of revolutions, monuments, and colonial pasts in today's streets.

Frequently asked questions

How do I get to the tour after buying?

You see your voucher code right after payment – and you also receive it at the email address you entered at checkout. Redeem that code in the Red Thread app; that's where the tour starts.

When does my access start?

Only when you redeem the code in the app, not at purchase. From redemption you have 14 days of access to the tour.

Do I need the Red Thread app?

Yes. The free Red Thread app turns your tour into a vivid experience: with audio, a map, and thoughtful prompts, it guides you from place to place in an engaging and entertaining way. It's available free for iOS and Android.

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