Explore the Renaissance in Tuscany - Holidays Full of History

Italy is often cited as the birthplace of the Renaissance, which spread throughout Europe bringing a new outlook on the world. One of the main characteristics of the Renaissance was the rediscovery of the Greek classical antiquity in the arts, medicine, philosophy and science. This rich European heritage is nowhere more obvious than in Tuscany. Holidays to this region are an incredible way to discover what lay behind this move away from the medieval period to the beginnings of the Modern Age.

Discovering the Renaissance

One could argue that the success of the Renaissance was partly due to the rise of capitalism. Merchants started a lucrative trade with the Middle East and brought back with them new ideas and learning that was unheard of in Europe up until that time. Prior to the Renaissance, there was a great surge in trade outside of Europe. This laid the foundations for the wealth that allowed patrons to commission art and universities to pursue learning, which, in turn, led to the discovery of the ancient classical texts written by Greek and Roman philosophers.

Pisa

There are so many towns and cities to visit to learn about the Renaissance, which had its beginnings in Tuscany. Holidays to Pisa, which was an important commercial centre in the Middle Ages, will reveal the story behind the famous Fibonacci, who introduced addition, multiplication and subtraction to Italy. He was better known then as Leonardo Pisano and, although born in Pisa, he was educated in North Africa, probably Tunisia. Here he learned about the Hindu-Arabic numeral system and realised its importance in calculating profit and loss. He returned to Pisa in 1200 AD and wrote his famous first book, Liber abaci (1202). Pisa became a banking force to be reckoned with until Florence became the dominant power with the rise of the Medici Family.

Florence

Florence has an abundance of artistic treasures, and the pure wealth of historical riches is awe-inspiring. When you visit Tuscany, holiday itineraries should definitely include The National Central Library of Florence (Biblioteca Nazionale Centrale di Firenze), to take a tour and view some incredible manuscripts, including Fibonacci’s Liber abaci.

The Medici Legacy

The Medici family, or the House of the Medici, were grand patrons of the Arts and they left an important legacy to the development of the Renaissance, which includes the Museum of San Marco, a former Dominican convent. Cosimo de’ Medici (1389-1464), amassed his great wealth from banking and he also became politically powerful. The Medici family held this political power in Florence, almost unbroken, for the next four hundred years. Cosimo commissioned many works of art and architecture, including commissioning the architect Michelozzo (1396-1472) to enlarge San Marco, which later became the first public library of the Renaissance.

It is fascinating to explore the links between the diverse strands of Italian history, and nowhere is this so clear to see as in Tuscany. Holidays here can give a real insight to how the rise of capitalism is linked to learning from the Middle East, and how it contributed to the Renaissance that shook medieval Europe to its foundations.

Carolyn Spinks is COO of ABTOI - The Association of British Travel Organisers to Italy. If you’re looking for the perfect Tuscany holidays the LoveItaly website provides destination information, contact details of tour operator members to help you plan the best Italian holiday, insider tips, year round special offers and information on everything from beach holidays in Sardinia, cycling in Sicily, to a wedding or honeymoon in Tuscany.

Writer and Online Marketing Manager in London.