95-407: Gherardini is an Italian surname. Notable people with the surname include: Gherardini family of Montagliari, aristocratic family of Florence Alessandro Gherardini (1655–1723), Italian painter of Baroque Florence Jacopo Schettini Gherardini (born 1965), Italian economist Maurizio Gherardini (born 1955), Italian sportsman, general manager for
190-567: A transport infrastructure, to implement agriculture and mining and to produce vibrant art. The Etruscans lived in the area of Etruria well into prehistory. The civilization grew to fill the area between the Arno and Tiber from the tenth century BCE, reaching its peak during the seventh and sixth centuries B.C., finally succumbing to the Romans by the first century BCE. From the Etruscans, Tuscany took
285-665: A French historian, the Gherardinis from Montagliari were "instigators of disorders", "with little desire to participate in public life". They were also a "bellicose and rude" family. This deeply independent character must have been at the basis of the family's decision not to abide by the new rules of the rising Commune of Florence such as the Ordinances of Justice of 1296 which aimed at forcing aristocracy to give up their names of origin and privileges. Unless they did so, there were very high taxes and penalties for them. Their opposition explains
380-611: A baby); Anthony (died in the war of Hungary); Alemanno (Knight of Malta) and Fabio, who was the last to die in Denmark in 1743. None of them left any heir. This was the branch Lisa Gherardini , the Gioconda , belonged to. In 1632, this branch and the current branch built the Chapel of Santa Maria della Neve in Montagliari (subsequently drawn by Leonardo da Vinci ). In January 1857, with a Decree of
475-609: A book written by Niccolò Machiavelli and commissioned by Cardinal Giulio de' Medici, later known as Pope Clement VII , of the House of Medici , in which the Gherardinis are featured on many occasions. More recent university studies have confirmed both the central role played by this family in Florence's medieval history and its members' reputation as inflexible as shown by the statistics on penalties and sentences which afflicted some families in that period. According to Christiane Klapisch-Zuber,
570-507: A moral object, three elements which we shall find again in the Divine Comedy . Francesco da Barberino , a learned lawyer who was secretary to bishops , a judge , and a notary , wrote two little allegorical poems, the Documenti d'amore and Del reggimento e dei costumi delle donne . The poems today are generally studied not as literature, but for historical context. A fourth allegorical work
665-712: A number of Consuls in the Republic ("Consul Civitatis": heads of government). Two centuries later, they took part in the fights between the Guelphs and the Ghibellines and subsequently between the White and Black Guelphs; they were with the "White" faction and were opposed to the transformations which led to the birth of the Signoria . Some of the leading figures of the family during that period include: Gherarduccio Gherardini (whose tombstone in
760-512: A siege, both Montagliari and Montaguto were burned to the ground. The Republic of Florence then decreed that it was no longer possible to build on this area. This edict was breached by the Gherardinis in 1632 when they built a chapel. The western part of the Gherardini's land and properties withstood the attack by the Florentines because Andrea Gherardini was ruling the nearby city of Pistoia and
855-493: A title, usually without even a formal office. These rulers presided over the Florentine Renaissance . There was a return to the republic from 1494 to 1512, when first Girolamo Savonarola then Piero Soderini oversaw the state. Cardinal Giovanni di Lorenzo de' Medici retook the city with Spanish forces in 1512, before going to Rome to become Pope Leo X . Florence was dominated by a series of papal proxies until 1527 when
950-616: A well-documented historical event referring to Peter and Lotto, sons of Noldo of the Gherardinis, in August 1343, they followed Walter VI of Brienne , Duke of Athens, to France. According to some sources, they were granted the Signoria of Marail in the Champagne region. Peter died on 9 September 1393 and is buried in the Church of Marail (Castle of Hervì). The Marquis René de Girardin (1735–1808), owner of
1045-532: Is a quarterly Barry of six vair and gules and imperial eagles. Today's best known descendant lives in New York City and is an artist, Chiara Ajkun . The Gheradinis also married into other Renaissance families across the centuries such as the Medicis , Strozzis , Bardis , Albizzis , Altovitis , Frescobaldis , Albertis , Balestrieris , and Ricasolis . According to the most recent university research, in 856
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#17328523281101140-517: Is blind to blasons but not to a good heart when it finds one: when it succeeds it is the result of the spiritual, not physical affinity between two souls. Guinizzelli's democratic view can be better understood in the light of the greater equality and freedom enjoyed by the city-states of the center-north and the rise of a middle class eager to legitimise itself in the eyes of the old nobility, still regarded with respect and admiration but dispossessed of its political power. Guinizelli's Canzoni make up
1235-502: Is different from Wikidata All set index articles Gherardini family The Gherardini family of Montagliari (or Florence ) was one of the most prominent historical Italian noble families from Tuscany , Italy . Through the Amideis , the family was of Roman descent. Between the 9th and 14th centuries, they played an important role in Tuscany . Its influence was also felt in
1330-423: Is harsher and rainy in the interior, with considerable fluctuations in temperature between winter and summer, giving the region a soil-building active freeze-thaw cycle, in part accounting for the region once having served as a key breadbasket of ancient Rome . The pre-Etruscan history of the area in the middle and late Bronze parallels that of the archaic Greeks . The Tuscan area was inhabited by peoples of
1425-597: Is indelibly connected with the name of Guido d'Arezzo , the 11th-century monk who invented modern musical notation and the do-re-mi system of naming notes of the scale; Lucca hosted possibly the greatest Italian composer of Verismo , Giacomo Puccini together with Alfredo Catalani , while Pietro Mascagni was born in Livorno ; and Siena is well known for the Accademia Musicale Chigiana , an organization that currently sponsors major musical activities such as
1520-508: Is made from Moraiolo, Leccino and Frantoiano olives. White truffles from San Miniato appear in October and November. Beef of the highest quality comes from the Chiana Valley , specifically, a breed known as Chianina used for Florentine steak . The indigenous Cinta Senese breed of pork is also produced. Wine is a famous and common produce of Tuscany. The red wine Chianti is perhaps
1615-483: Is not known. Leonardo drew both the portrait of Lisa Gherardini ( Mona Lisa ) and the Gherardinis' Chapel in Montagliari. An artist of the family, Alessandro Gherardini , pupil of Alessandro Rosi , obtained a commission by Prince Ferdinando de Medici for a fresco celebrating his marriage to Princess Violante Beatrice of Bavaria . The fresco can be seen today at the Pitti Palace in Florence. Other known artists of
1710-570: Is regarded as the birthplace of the Italian Renaissance and of the foundations of the Italian language . The prestige established by the Tuscan dialect's use in literature by Dante Alighieri , Petrarch , Giovanni Boccaccio , Niccolò Machiavelli and Francesco Guicciardini led to its subsequent elaboration as the language of culture throughout Italy. It has been home to many figures influential in
1805-472: Is the second-most-popular Italian region for travellers in Italy , after Veneto . The main tourist spots are Florence , Castiglione della Pescaia , Pisa , San Gimignano , Lucca , Grosseto and Siena . The town of Castiglione della Pescaia is the most visited seaside destination in the region, with seaside tourism accounting for approximately 40% of tourist arrivals. The Maremma region , Siena , Lucca ,
1900-651: The Amidei , according to historian Ricordano Malespini , and thus to its cousin branch, the House of Piccolomini , who were Patricians of Siena and allies of Vlad Dracula and the Venetians during the reign of Pope Pius II . Many of these families played a major role in the Renaissance , and were patrons of famous figures such as Michelangelo , Raphael , Leonardo da Vinci , Galileo , Vasari , Brunelleschi , Botticelli , Machiavelli , and many others. Also, their relatives,
1995-517: The Chianti region , Versilia and Val d'Orcia are also internationally renowned and particularly popular spots among travellers. Eight Tuscan localities have been designated World Heritage Sites : the historic Centre of Florence (1982); the Cathedral square of Pisa (1987); the historical centre of San Gimignano (1990); the historical centre of Siena (1995); the historical centre of Pienza (1996);
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#17328523281102090-686: The Church of Sant'Appiano , near Barberino Val d'Elsa ) belongs to this family. Historically influential in Florence, the Gheradinis were also featured in Florentine Histories , a book written by Niccolò Machiavelli at the request of the Medicis. In modern times, their name is affiliated with the Mona Lisa of Leonardo da Vinci , as the painting depicts the portrait of Lisa Gherardini . Arms of this family
2185-548: The Château d'Ermenonville and friend of Jean-Jacques Rousseau , claimed to belong to this branch. Other members of the Girardin family included Louis Stanislas de Girardin , Émile de Girardin , and Delphine de Girardin , and the remaining Girardins in Paris. The Gherardinis of Ireland branch started by Thomas, Gerard and Maurice, sons of Gherardino, still exist today and is headed by
2280-469: The Duke of Leinster . This branch left with Henry II of England to go and conquer Ireland where they initiated the House of FitzGerald , one of the oldest dynasty of Ireland. The FitzGerald Dukes and the Gherardinis of Montagliari are known to be in touch since at least the 15th century and were featured recently in "Sette" magazine of Corriere della Sera . In communication letters dating back to 1507 between
2375-509: The Fenerbahçe Basketball Lisa Gherardini (1479–1542), woman depicted in the Mona Lisa painting Melchiorre Gherardini (1607–1668), Italian painter, known as Ceranino Stefano Gherardini (1695–1755), Italian genre painter Tommaso Gherardini (1715–1797), Italian painter of late 18th-century Florence See also [ edit ] Gherardi Gherardesca Girardin , surname taken by members of
2470-628: The Goths (Eastern - Ostrogoths and Western - Visigoths ), then was re-conquered by the revived Eastern Roman Empire (later Byzantine Empire ) under the Emperor Justinian . In the years following 572, the Lombards arrived and designated Lucca the capital of their subsequent Tuscia . Pilgrims travelling along the Via Francigena between Rome and France brought wealth and development during
2565-494: The House of Bardi , who were a noble family of bankers during the Age of Discovery , were early financiers of John Cabot and Christopher Columbus and their expeditions to the Americas . One of the peculiarities of this family, defined by historians as "rude" and hardly observant of the rules of public life, is a constant vein of patronage. Some serious patronage is well documented like
2660-711: The House of Este and the House of Gonzaga , they bought the Marquisate of Scurano, Bazzano and Pianzo, that of San Polo d'Enza , and in 1652 the Marquisate of Castelnovo di Sotto . On 19 November 1652, during the War of Candia , Bernardino, younger brother of Gaspare and Angelo, welcomed the Gherardinis among the Venetian noble families of the Great Council of the Republic of Venice , about
2755-537: The House of Habsburg and Austria. This is why they started to support the new cause of Risorgimento – the unity of Italy – and subsequently, following the unity, they took part in Italian political life and often served in the armed forces. A notable member was General Gian Claudio Gherardini . After the exile in 1300, a small branch stayed on in Tuscany but died out in the 18th century with four brothers: Hippolytus (died as
2850-679: The Ministry of the Interior of the Kingdom of Italy (1939) and in accordance with its official genealogy, the Gherardinis of Montagliari are divided into two branches: one branch is headed by Marquis Francesco Alberto (primogeniture) whereas the second is headed by Count Gian Claudio (cadet branch). The current residences of the Marquises and Counts Gherardini are in Rome , Venice , Florence , and New York . Although
2945-567: The Val d'Orcia (2004), the Medici Villas and Gardens (2013), and Montecatini Terme as part of the Great Spa Towns of Europe (2021). Tuscany has over 120 protected nature reserves , making Tuscany and its capital Florence popular tourist destinations. In 2018, Florence alone had over 5 million arrivals, making it the world's 51st most visited city . Roughly triangular in shape, Tuscany borders
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3040-644: The Veneto and Emilia regions between the 16th and 18th centuries, and during the Italian Risorgimento as well as in today's Italian politics and economy. The family's restless and fighting nature has aroused the curiosity of many historians of the Middle Ages. Originating from feudal tradition, it was one of the founding families of the Republic of Florence . The family took part in Florence's political life between 1100 and 1300. In 1300, they were exiled from
3135-678: The medieval period . The food and shelter required by these travellers fuelled the growth of communities around churches and taverns. The conflict between the Guelphs and Ghibellines , factions supporting the Papacy or the Holy Roman Empire in central and northern Italy during the 12th and 13th centuries, split the Tuscan people. The two factions gave rise to several powerful and rich medieval communes in Tuscany: Arezzo , Florence , Lucca , Pisa , and Siena . Balance between these communes
3230-621: The province of Pistoia : In the province of Prato : In the province of Siena : Apart from standard Italian , the Tuscan dialect ( dialetto toscano ) is spoken in Tuscany. The Italian language is based historically on literary Tuscan, specifically the Florentine dialect . It became the language of culture for all the people of Italy, thanks to the prestige of the masterpieces of Dante Alighieri , Petrarch , Giovanni Boccaccio , Niccolò Machiavelli and Francesco Guicciardini . It would later become
3325-639: The same time as did the Medicis . The two branches came together again in 1811. With the arrival of Napoleon Bonaparte , the Republic of Venice and Venice were occupied by the French and given to Austria , which would change the future of the Gherardinis. While their fiefs were occupied and absorbed by the Napoleonic kingdoms in 1805, the Gherardinis, after ten centuries of being Lords in Europe, lost their independence, which led them to reconsider their relations with
3420-514: The "first lady of Italy" for her commitment towards national unity; Marquis Gian Marco, Chairman of the Savings Bank of Reggio Emilia and Podestà of the Municipality of Reggio Emilia from 1851 to 1854. His son Gian Francesco Gherardini, was mayor of Reggio Emilia from 1873 to 1881, Member of Parliament and subsequently Senator until his death in 1926; his grandson, Count Gian Claudio Gherardini,
3515-418: The 13th century, there were several major allegorical poems . One of these is by Brunetto Latini , who was a close friend of Dante. His Tesoretto is a short poem, in seven-syllable verses, rhyming in couplets, in which the author professes to be lost in a wilderness and to meet with a lady, who represents Nature, from whom he receives much instruction. We see here the vision, the allegory, the instruction with
3610-753: The Church of Sant'Appiano is the oldest knightly tomb in Tuscany), Noldo Gherardini, Cece Gherardini , Vanne and Bernardino Gherardini, Lotteringo Gherardini , Cione Gherardini known as "il Pelliccia" and Andrea Gherardini "lo Scacciaguelfi" (the Shoo Away the Guelphs). This era of war between the factions supporting the Pope and the ones supporting the Holy Roman Emperor was later immortalized in Florentine Histories ,
3705-946: The Duke of Modena, another branch took on "Gherardini-Parigi" as its surname in order to continue the line of Gian Marco Gherardini's mother, Alda Parigi of the Counts of San Severino. However, this branch too soon died out with the death of his grandson, Giulio, in the mid-20th century. From 1660 another branch lived in Lendinara and in Ferrara (Noble family of Lendinara, Counts of Lusia, Noble family of Ferrara). This branch originated with Francesco di Corradino but died out in 1830 in Ferrara because Francesco had only one daughter, Isotta, born in 1817. An older branch developed in France with Girardin as its surname. According to
3800-600: The Gherardini family in France [REDACTED] Surname list This page lists people with the surname Gherardini . If an internal link intending to refer to a specific person led you to this page, you may wish to change that link by adding the person's given name (s) to the link. Retrieved from " https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Gherardini&oldid=1189162743 " Categories : Surnames Italian-language surnames Patronymic surnames Surnames from given names Hidden categories: Articles with short description Short description
3895-404: The Gherardini family were Tommaso Gherardini , Stefano Gherardini , Melchiorre Gherardini , and Niccolò Gherardini , a friend of Galileo Galilei and his personal biographer . Niccolo wrote the first biography of Galileo named Vita del signor Galileo Galilei (Life of Signor Galileo Galilei), and was a relative of Pope Urban VIII of the House of Barberini . A painting commissioned by
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3990-400: The Gherardinis enjoyed greater strength in Valdelsa (a valley south of Florence). A few years later, Henry VII, Holy Roman Emperor tried to remove this family from Valdelsa but did not succeed because the Castle of Linari , led by Vanne Gherardini, withstood the summer siege of 1313. Following the death of Gherarduccio Gherardini in 1331 (buried in the Church of Sant'Appiano, near Linari),
4085-452: The Gherardinis of Tuscany and Gerald FitzGerald, 8th Earl of Kildare , who was also the Viceroy of Ireland and King Henry Tudor 's cousin, the Earl's letters were signed as "Gerald, Chief in Ireland of the family of the Gherardini". Lisa Gherardini married to Francesco del Giocondo , whose family were silk merchants. He was previously married to a member of the Rucellai family , owners of Palazzo Rucellai . One of Francesco's relative
4180-508: The Gherardinis' buildings in the city as well as other evidence of their life there. This was their third exodus. The previous expulsion of the Ghibellinis , half a century earlier, meant that some Gherardinis moved near Verona and Rovigo (they came together again later on). The first exodus took place around 1120 with the death of Matilda of Tuscany . One of the heads of the family, Gherardino, and his children (Tommaso, Gherardo and Maurizio) decided to leave Tuscany. Initially they were members of
4275-407: The Gherardinis. The land they owned or controlled went from the first sighting centres near the southern walls of Florence , and from Marignolle up to Impruneta . It then went on up to the main fortresses of Montagliari and Montaguto near the current Greve in Chianti . To the west, their land went all the way up to the fortress of Linari near Barberino Val d'Elsa . In the summer of 1302, following
4370-400: The Sicilians was led by Dante da Maiano , but its literary originality took another line – that of humorous and satirical poetry. The democratic form of government created a style of poetry that stood strongly against the medieval mystic and chivalrous style. Devout invocation of God or a lady came from the cloister and the castle ; in the streets of the cities everything that had gone before
4465-447: The Siena Music Week and the Alfredo Casella International Composition Competition. Other important musical centres in Tuscany include Pisa and Grosseto . Several famous writers and poets are from Tuscany, most notably Florentine author Dante Alighieri . Tuscany's literary scene particularly thrived in the 13th century and the Renaissance. In Tuscany, especially in the Middle Ages, popular love poetry existed. A school of imitators of
4560-466: The beginning of the Iron Age , the Villanovan culture ( c. 900 – c. 700 BC), regarded as the oldest phase of Etruscan civilization , saw Tuscany, and the rest of Etruria, taken over by chiefdoms . City-states developed in the late Villanovan (paralleling Greece and the Aegean) before " Orientalization " occurred. The Etruscans (Latin: Tusci ) created the first major civilization in this region, large enough to establish
4655-428: The bible of Dolce Stil Novo , and one in particular, "Al cor gentil" ("To a Kind Heart") is considered the manifesto of the new movement which would bloom in Florence under Cavalcanti , Dante and their followers. His poetry has some of the faults of the school of d'Arezzo. Nevertheless, he marks a great development in the history of Italian art, especially because of his close connection with Dante's lyric poetry . In
4750-542: The citizens declared the republic again, only to have it taken from them again in 1530 after a siege by an Imperial and Spanish army. At this point Pope Clement VII and Charles V appointed Alessandro de' Medici as the first formal hereditary ruler. The Sienese commune was not incorporated into Tuscany until 1555, and during the 15th century, Siena enjoyed a cultural 'Sienese Renaissance' with its own more conservative character. Lucca remained an independent republic until 1847 when it became part of Grand Duchy of Tuscany by
4845-523: The city when Florence began its transformation into a Signoria , later ruled by the Medicis . In his Divine Comedy , Dante Alighieri , who was exiled with the Gherardinis, placed the family in Paradise's V Sphere. Following its exile from Tuscany , the family joined the Great Council of Venice (Venice's Chamber of Peers), becoming Patricians of that city, and members of the Venetian nobility . Until 1800, they kept some fiefs between Tuscany and Emilia Romagna. The oldest knightly tomb in Tuscany (in
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#17328523281104940-407: The commission given to Fra Angelico to create an altarpiece for the family chapel near the Church of Santo Stefano al Ponte in Florence. Lotteringo Gherardini is buried in this church. The altarpiece was commissioned in 1418 but went lost. According to art historians, the Gherardinis supported Alessandro Turchi , called l'Orbetto, who they commissioned many works of art to. Nothing is known about
5035-405: The country be ruled by his son. The dynasty of the Lorena ruled Tuscany until 1860, except during the Napoleonic period , when most of the country was annexed to the French Empire . After the Second Italian War of Independence , a revolution evicted the last Grand Duke, and after a plebiscite, Tuscany became part of the new Kingdom of Italy . From 1864 to 1870 Florence became the second capital of
5130-408: The family founded the Church of San Piero a Ema (with Gaifredo) and "nepotes Ceci" as a sobriquet. The family is described in documents dating back to that period and kept in the Church of San Miniato in Florence. They were feudatories in the Chianti and the Val d'Elsa areas and settled in Florence in 1100 following the death of Matilda of Tuscany . They founded the Republic of Florence and had
5225-447: The family in 2010 can be seen in the Church of Sant'Appiano , still used by the family and where Gherarduccio Gherardini is buried. At the bottom of its frame, visitors can read the following: Florentiae clarissimae Gherardinis familiae nos J.Raphaelus Dominus Cynthiaque MariaTeresia Dominae comites hanc operam in Gherarducci memoriam Sancti Appiani Templo donant. A.D. MMX. According to the last Register of Italian Nobility approved by
5320-421: The family is not interested in being in the news, some articles were written in 2007 and 2010 on Countess Cinzia Maria Gherardini, the current oldest member of the family. A 2014 cover story published by Sette , the Italian weekly magazine of Corriere della Sera , was dedicated to the Gherardini family and their relationship with the FitzGerald family as well with the Kennedy family . The magazine stated that
5415-418: The family lost its last great commander and the last remaining properties were gradually lost too. After the fall of Montagliari, and the subsequent loss of their land and properties in Val d'Elsa, the last Gherardinis (except a small group) went into exile to Verona that, at that time, was under the Empire. Dante Alighieri went into exile with them too. At the same time, the Florentines finished to destroy
5510-427: The family's patriarch, Cosimo Rucellai, son of Bernardo Rucellai and Lucrezia de' Medici . The Gherardinis married four times with members of the Medici family of Florence. The marriages were as follow; Venna de Medici married to Francesco Gherardini, Leonarda de Medici married to Guelfo Gherardini, Giuliano de Medici married to Tita Gherardini, and Nicolo Rosso de Medici married to Clemenza Gherardini. Leonarda
5605-423: The first year." In 1630, Florence and Tuscany were once again ravaged by the plague . Tuscany, especially Florence , is regarded as the birthplace of the Renaissance . Though "Tuscany" remained a linguistic, cultural, and geographic conception rather than a political reality, in the 15th century, Florence extended its dominion in Tuscany through the annexation of Arezzo in 1384, the purchase of Pisa in 1405, and
5700-407: The highest are the Apennines ), a further 25%, or 5,770 square kilometres (2,230 sq mi). Plains occupy 8.4% of the total area—1,930 square kilometres (750 sq mi)—mainly around the valley of the Arno . Many of Tuscany's most significant cities lie on the banks of the Arno, including the capital, Florence , Empoli , and Pisa . The climate is fairly mild in the coastal areas, and
5795-407: The history of art and science, and contains well-known museums such as the Uffizi and the Palazzo Pitti . Tuscany is also known for its wines , including Chianti , Vino Nobile di Montepulciano , Morellino di Scansano , Brunello di Montalcino and white Vernaccia di San Gimignano . Having a strong linguistic and cultural identity, it is sometimes considered "a nation within a nation". Tuscany
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#17328523281105890-423: The introduction of aqueducts and sewers, and the construction of many buildings, both public and private. However, many of these structures have been destroyed by erosion due to weather. The Roman civilization in the West of the Roman Republic and later Roman Empire collapsed in the fifth century, and the region fell briefly to barbarians migrating through the Empire from Eastern Europe and Central Asia of
5985-413: The kingdom. Under Benito Mussolini , the area came under the dominance of local Fascist leaders such as Dino Perrone Compagni (from Florence), and Costanzo and Galeazzo Ciano (from Livorno ). Following the fall of Mussolini and the armistice of 8 September 1943, Tuscany became part of the Nazi-controlled Italian Social Republic and was conquered almost totally by the Anglo-American forces during
6080-406: The main cities, such as Florence and Siena , but also in smaller villages scattered around the region, such as San Gimignano . Tuscany has a unique artistic legacy, and Florence is one of the world's most important water-colour centres, even so that it is often nicknamed the "art palace of Italy" (the region is also believed to have the largest concentration of Renaissance art and architecture in
6175-425: The medieval period and the Renaissance, four main Tuscan art schools competed against each other: the Florentine School , the Sienese School , the Pisan School, and the Lucchese School . In the province of Arezzo : In the province of Florence : In the Province of Grosseto : In the province of Livorno : In the province of Lucca : In the province of Massa and Carrara : In the province of Pisa : In
6270-442: The most significant island is Elba . Tuscany has an area of approximately 22,993 square kilometres (8,878 sq mi). Surrounded and crossed by major mountain chains and with few (but fertile) plains, the region has a relief that is dominated by hilly country used for agriculture . Hills make up nearly two-thirds (66.5%) of the region's total area, covering 15,292 square kilometres (5,904 sq mi), and mountains (of which
6365-420: The most well-known internationally. Due to the many British tourists who come to the area where Chianti wine is produced this specific area has been nicknamed " Chiantishire ". Between 1851 and 1860, the Grand Duchy of Tuscany , an independent Italian state until 1859 when it joined the United Provinces of Central Italy , produced two postage stamp issues which are among the most prized classic stamp issues of
6460-411: The name of Etruria, Tuscia for the Romans and subsequently Tuscania and Tuscany. While the areas of north-western Tuscany were inhabited by the ancient Ligures . In northwestern Tuscany, the area between the Arno and Magra rivers was culturally aligned with the Etruscans in the early Iron Age, and came under Ligurian control in the late Iron Age. One reason for the eventual demise of this civilization
6555-417: The official language of all the Italian states and of the Kingdom of Italy , when it was formed. Many Tuscan terms are also common in the dialects of Umbria and some parts of Emilia Romagna . Tuscany has a rich ancient and modern musical tradition, and has produced numerous composers and musicians, including Giacomo Puccini and Pietro Mascagni . Florence is the main musical centre of Tuscany. The city
6650-510: The passion with which Florence fought them, destroying, where possible, their assets. Following many years of civil war, the Gherardinis were exiled in 1302 because they were accused of having forged an alliance with the neighbouring city of Siena . According to historians (and contemporaries of the time), the accusation was based on false documents and invented by Cante Gabrielli , the Podestà, to stamp out this family and its allies once and for all. Following this accusation, Florence attacked
6745-481: The primary elections of 2007. Tuscany Tuscany ( / ˈ t ʌ s k ə n i / TUSK -ə-nee ; Italian : Toscana , Italian: [tosˈkaːna] ) is a region in central Italy with an area of about 23,000 square kilometres (8,900 square miles) and a population of about 3.8 million inhabitants. The regional capital is Florence ( Firenze ). Tuscany is known for its landscapes, history, artistic legacy, and its influence on high culture . It
6840-433: The prodigious expression of art and architecture in Florence. His famous descendant Catherine de' Medici married Prince Henry (later King Henry II ) of France in 1533. The Black Death epidemic hit Tuscany starting in 1348. It eventually killed 70% of the Tuscan population. According to Melissa Snell, "Florence lost a third of its population in the first six months of the plague, and from 45% to 75% of its population in
6935-707: The regions of Liguria to the northwest, Emilia-Romagna to the north, Marche and Umbria to the east, and Lazio to the south and southeast. The comune (municipality) of Badia Tedalda , in the Tuscan Province of Arezzo , has an exclave named Ca' Raffaello within Emilia-Romagna. Tuscany has a western coastline on the Ligurian Sea and the Tyrrhenian Sea , among which is the Tuscan Archipelago , of which
7030-554: The relationship between the family and Tintoretto , except that the Gherardinis were members of the Great Council of the Republic of Venice and, therefore, frequented Venice . However, in 1568 the Venetian painter drew the portrait of Francesco Gherardini. The portrait is on display at the Ca' Rezzonico Museum of Venice. Although there were contacts with Leonardo da Vinci , their full nature
7125-688: The retinue of Louis VII of France , called the Young, and then they were with Henry II of England and went to conquer Ireland, where they started the FitzGerald dynasty . This topic is still being studied by some historians. In 1633 thanks to Gaspare and Angelo, the main branch, that had settled in Verona between 1300 and 1400, added some properties in the Emilia region to the fiefs they had received when they had arrived (Montorio, Bardolino, Sorgate and Montecchiana). From
7220-575: The so-called Apennine culture in the second millennium BC ( c. 1400 – c. 1150 BC) who had trading relationships with the Minoan and Mycenaean civilizations in the Aegean Sea , and, at the end of the Bronze Age, by peoples of the so-called Proto-Villanovan culture ( c. 1100 – c. 900 BC) part of the central European Urnfield culture system. Following this, at
7315-604: The summer of 1944. Following the end of the Social Republic and the transition from the Kingdom to the modern Italian Republic , Tuscany once more flourished as a cultural centre of Italy. Since the establishment of the regional government in 1970, Tuscany has always been ruled by centre-left governments. Tuscany has an immense cultural and artistic heritage, expressed in the region's churches, palaces, art galleries, museums, villages, and piazzas. Many of these artifacts are found in
7410-551: The suppression of a local resistance there (1406). Livorno was bought in 1421 and became the harbour of Florence. From the leading city of Florence, the republic was from 1434 onward dominated by the increasingly monarchical Medici family. Initially, under Cosimo , Piero the Gouty , Lorenzo and Piero the Unfortunate , the forms of the republic were retained and the Medici ruled without
7505-573: The three families have maintained relationship among them even in recent time or in the past (for example with American President John Fitzgerald Kennedy ). Some of the most recent and best known members of the Gherardini family are: Marquis Maurizio, Great Chamberlain of the Emperor of Austria and Austria's Minister Plenipotentiary at the Kingdom of Sardinia ; Princess Cristina Trivulzio Belgiojoso (daughter of Marchioness Vittoria Gherardini), first female newspaper director whom Carlo Cattaneo defined
7600-554: The will of its people. Piombino and other strategic towns constituted the tiny State of the Presidi under Spanish control. In the 16th century, the Medicis , rulers of Florence, annexed the Republic of Siena , creating the Grand Duchy of Tuscany . The Medici family became extinct in 1737 with the death of Gian Gastone , and Tuscany was transferred to Francis , Duke of Lorraine and husband of Austrian Empress Maria Theresa , who let
7695-471: The work of Cecco Angiolieri of Siena, the oldest humorist we know, a far-off precursor of François Rabelais and Michel de Montaigne . Another type of poetry also began in Tuscany. Guittone d'Arezzo made art abandon chivalry and Provençal forms for national motives and Latin forms. He attempted political poetry, and although his work is often obscure, he prepared the way for the Bolognese school. Bologna
7790-611: The world's most precious works of art. Such museums include the Uffizi , which keeps Botticelli's The Birth of Venus , the Palazzo Pitti , and the Bargello , to name a few. Most of the frescos, sculptures, and paintings in Tuscany are held in the region's abundant churches and cathedrals, such as Florence Cathedral , Siena Cathedral , Pisa Cathedral and the Collegiata di San Gimignano . In
7885-630: The world). Painters such as Cimabue and Giotto , the fathers of Italian painting, lived in Florence and Tuscany, as well as Arnolfo and Andrea Pisano , renewers of architecture and sculpture; Brunelleschi , Donatello and Masaccio , forefathers of the Renaissance; Ghiberti and the Della Robbias , Filippo Lippi and Angelico ; Botticelli , Paolo Uccello , and the universal genius of Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo . The region contains numerous museums and art galleries, many housing some of
7980-548: The world, and include the most valuable Italian stamp. The Grand Duchy of Tuscany was an independent Italian state from 1569 to 1859 but was occupied by France from 1808 to 1814. The Duchy comprised most of the present area of Tuscany, and its capital was Florence. In December 1859, the Grand Duchy officially ceased to exist, being joined to the duchies of Modena and Parma to form the United Provinces of Central Italy, which
8075-668: Was Aurelia de Medici, who married Luca di Maso degli Albizzi, brother of Rinaldo degli Albizzi , the primary opponent of Cosimo . They were also descendants of Chiarissimo I de' Medici , son of the founder of the Medici family, and father of Filippo, who married to Alessia Grimaldi of Genova, of the Grimaldi family of Monaco . Marriages of the Gherardinis over the centuries included the Houses of Medici , Strozzi , Bardi , Albizzi , Altoviti , Frescobaldi , Balestrieri , Alberti , Ricasoli , among others. The Gherardinis were also related to
8170-575: Was Commander of the 8th Bersaglieri (Marksmen) Regiment in El Alamein and subsequently Commanding General of Folgore Parachute Brigade who died in 1971) and was the first one to bring back to Florence the Gherardini of Montagliari after seven centuries; his great-grandson, the economist Jacopo Schettini Gherardini , candidate for the National Secretariat of the Democratic Party (Italy) during
8265-496: Was Giannetto Giocondo, who had business dealings with Amerigo Vespucci , the explorer who gave his name to America . His relative was an assistant of Machiavelli and both the Gherardinis and Machiavellis came from the parish of Santa Trinita . Lisa Gherardini's step-mother, Caterina di Mariotto Rucellai, was also of the Rucellai family. Niccolo Machiavelli dedicated his book " The Art of War " and " Discourses on Titus Livy " to
8360-574: Was a member of the family of Salvestro de' Medici , a second cousin of Averardo de' Medici , father of Giovanni di Bicci de' Medici , the founder of the Medici Bank . Giuliano was Castellan of the Fortress of Sansepolcro , and son of a Magistrate . His great-grandfathers were Niccolo de Medici, also a descendant of the Averardo branch , and Bice Strozzi, a member of the House of Strozzi . His great-aunt
8455-500: Was annexed by the Kingdom of Sardinia a few months later in March 1860. In 1862 it became part of Italy and joined the Italian postal system. The gross domestic product (GDP) of the region was 117.5 billion euros in 2018, accounting for 6.7% of Italy's economic output. GDP per capita adjusted for purchasing power was 31,400 euros or 104% of the EU27 average in the same year. The GDP per employee
8550-552: Was at the heart of much of the Western musical tradition. It was there that the Florentine Camerata convened in the mid-16th century and experimented with setting tales of Greek mythology to music and staging, resulting in the first operas , fostering the further development of the operatic form, and the later developments of separate "classical" forms such as the symphony . There are numerous musical centres in Tuscany. Arezzo
8645-411: Was ensured by the assets they held: Pisa, a port; Siena, banking; and Lucca, banking and silk. But by the time of the Renaissance , Florence had become the cultural capital of Tuscany. One family that benefitted from Florence's growing wealth and power was the ruling Medici family . Its scion Lorenzo de' Medici was one of the most famous of the Medici. The legacy of his influence is visible today in
8740-511: Was the Intelligenza , which is sometimes attributed to Compagni but is probably only a translation of French poems. In the 15th century, humanist and publisher Aldus Manutius published the Tuscan poets Petrarch and Dante Alighieri ( Divine Comedy ), creating the model for what became a standard for modern Italian. Simplicity is central to Tuscan cuisine . Legumes , bread, cheese, vegetables, mushrooms, and fresh fruit are used. Olive oil
8835-428: Was the city of science, and philosophical poetry appeared there. Guido Guinizelli was the poet after the new fashion of the art. In his work, the ideas of chivalry are changed and enlarged. Only those whose heart is pure can be blessed with true love, regardless of class. He refuted the traditional credo of courtly love , for which love is a subtle philosophy only a few chosen knights and princesses could grasp. Love
8930-519: Was the increasing absorption by surrounding cultures, including the adoption of the Etruscan upper class by the Romans. Soon after absorbing Etruria (to the north, northeast, east, and a strip to the south), Rome established the cities of Lucca , Pisa , Siena , and Florence , endowed the area with new technologies and development, and ensured peace. These developments included extensions of existing roads,
9025-399: Was treated with ridicule or biting sarcasm . Folgóre da San Gimignano laughs when in his sonnets he tells a party of Sienese youths the occupations of every month in the year, or when he teaches a party of Florentine lads the pleasures of every day in the week. Cenne della Chitarra laughs when he parodies Folgore's sonnets. The sonnets of Rustico di Filippo are half-fun and half-satire, as is
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