The Flip Side of Medieval Florence

Florence - how much is in this word... The history of the city is multifaceted, rich in events, interesting, captivating, and at times tragic. This daughter of the Roman Empire gifted the world one of the best periods in the history of art - the Renaissance. But not everything was so smooth, and Florence knows how to cultivate the beautiful in what seems to be the most unfavorable soil. In this book, what lies behind the beautiful frescoes in family chapels, luxurious knightly tournaments, palace facades, and sculptures is unveiled; the "medical history" of medieval society is carefully leafed through and its most unpleasant, and at times foul-smelling corners are highlighted. Here are shown the not always satisfied ambitions of the creators of the Renaissance, and the beginning of the crisis of the 16th century, which divided Europe into Catholics and Protestants, is touched upon. This entire journey was conceived by the author not to rub salt in the wound, to show the vices of great creators, to mock or condemn Florence, but to demonstrate that nothing happens without prerequisites, and the Renaissance epoch was no exception, it was brought about by a complex mechanism set in motion back in the Middle Ages. Without wandering through the darkest streets of Florence's history, it is impossible to fully enjoy the dawn that, despite everything, spreads golden light across its tiled roofs.