Discover the story behind the conspiracy against the famous Medici family, a wealthy family of bankers who held some of the most powerful positions in Florence during the 13th and 14th centuries!
Visitors to Florence city have a superb collection of stylish apartments to choose from if they wish to stay and explore the ‘Cradle of the Arts’ for a few days of history and culture!
The Pazzi family were jealous rivals of the Medici family during their reign of power, and were also based in Florence, along with the Salviati who were the papal bankers in Florence and Pope Sixtus IV. Together they plotted to bring down the Medici family, seize their assets and take control of the province.
Visitors to Florence city have a superb collection of stylish apartments to choose from if they wish to stay and explore the ‘Cradle of the Arts’ for a few days of history and culture!
The Pazzi family were jealous rivals of the Medici family during their reign of power, and were also based in Florence, along with the Salviati who were the papal bankers in Florence and Pope Sixtus IV. Together they plotted to bring down the Medici family, seize their assets and take control of the province.
On 26th April 1478, they attempted to murder the then leader of the family, Lorenzo de’ Medici and his brother Giuliano de’ Medici as they knelt at the altar of high mass in Florence’s Duomo in front of ten thousand people! Lorenzo escaped yet was badly wounded but his brother was brutally murdered by the ruthless Pazzi family. They stabbed him nineteen times in front of horrified spectators!
The Florentine people were extremely fond of the Medici family and were outraged by this heinous crime. They seized many of the conspirators and threw them from windows, dragged them through the streets, hung them and drowned them in the river.
It’s believed that around eighty associates of the crime were caught and executed on that same day; Francesco Salviati, one of the main conspirators was captured and hung from one of the windows of the Palazzo Vecchio!
The Florentine people were extremely fond of the Medici family and were outraged by this heinous crime. They seized many of the conspirators and threw them from windows, dragged them through the streets, hung them and drowned them in the river.
It’s believed that around eighty associates of the crime were caught and executed on that same day; Francesco Salviati, one of the main conspirators was captured and hung from one of the windows of the Palazzo Vecchio!
The Pazzi family, once a dynasty of great nobility and honour were quickly stripped of their titles and assets and were exiled from Florence. The pope, when he heard news of the disastrous outcome of their plans was outraged and declared war on Florence.
Lorenzo, the surviving hero was greatly admired by his people for his defiance of the pope and his battle for power and so became known as ‘Lorenzo the Magnificent’. A war ensued for two years before finally ending in a truce. He died many years later in 1492 and was considered to be one of the greatest Medici family leaders who ever lived, despite his problems with banking success over the years.
Enjoy viewing ancient paintings of Lorenzo and his martyred brother Giuliano by Sandro Botticelli and Verroccio in Palazzo Vecchio and across Florence. And why not read our article on the legacy of the Medici Family who brought great wealth and culture to Florence during their dynasty!
Lorenzo, the surviving hero was greatly admired by his people for his defiance of the pope and his battle for power and so became known as ‘Lorenzo the Magnificent’. A war ensued for two years before finally ending in a truce. He died many years later in 1492 and was considered to be one of the greatest Medici family leaders who ever lived, despite his problems with banking success over the years.
Enjoy viewing ancient paintings of Lorenzo and his martyred brother Giuliano by Sandro Botticelli and Verroccio in Palazzo Vecchio and across Florence. And why not read our article on the legacy of the Medici Family who brought great wealth and culture to Florence during their dynasty!
Photo credits
picture 2: Miko3k / CC BY-SA 3.0;
picture 2: Miko3k / CC BY-SA 3.0;