Charlemagne became Emperor in 800 AD. A new empire called “Sacro Romano Impero” was created comprehending a lot of states in all Europe. Also Italy was a part of this Empire, so that many French dukes had the control on Italian cities. Under Charlemagne, in Florence, new schools and institute were built to teach culture to young children. After Charlemagne, under Ottone I empire, Florence had special privileges and economical help in order to develop culture and art. During the following years in Florence began the typical Middle Age history. Dukes and important families fighting to control the city, murders, impeachments, death sentences and other facts characterizing the “dark” Middle Age in Europe and in Italy. In this period Florence fought to conquest other Tuscan cities. A lot of them were dominated, Siena, Lucca, Pisa, Arezzo, so that Florence became a very reach and powerful city dominating Tuscany.

Guelfi and Ghibellini: Guelfi and Ghibellini were two opposite and rival factions fighting to control Florence. This civil war began at the beginning of 1200. Ghibellina faction was composed by people of high social rank and families of noble descent. Guelfa faction was composed by merchant and people involved in trade. Also Dante Alighieri, famous writer of that period ( “Divina Commedia”) took part in those internal battles that came to an end at the beginning of 1300 when the Guelfa faction won. The Guelfa faction was divided in two parts, “White Guelfi” from one side and “Black Guelfi” from the other. The “Blacks” represented the richest part of the merchant class, components of the Cerchi family represented White’s leaders. After the Guelfi dominated Ghibellini the two Guelfi internal factions fought for the leadership. The Black Guelfi oligarchy was based on the “Arti”, “the arts”, that is the name given to the few families holding all the power. They were merchants, traders and many banks were governed by them. In 1378 poor people rose in revolt against rich families governing Florence. In a famous place of Florence a very bloody battle was fought and the place was named “Ciompi Place”. After that, Florence was governed for only four years by Michele di Lando, a democratic leader representing common people. However rich families of the city took the power again after a few years. Those years of internal wars took Florence to the end of 1300. The dark Middle Age was coming to an end while the Renaissance age was beginning.

Middle Age Florence plant

Armorial bearings

Monuments of this period:

1059 AD : The Battistero was consecrate.

1278 AD : The construction of S. Maria Novella Cathedral began.

1295 AD : Arnolfo di Cambio projected S. Croce Cathedral.

In those years Arnolfo di Cambio projected S. Maria del Fiore Cathedral.

1334 - 1337 AD : The “Giotto Tower” was built following the “Duomo” style.

The “Old Palace” and the Bargello Palace were also built in this period.

The “Loggia dei Lanzi” was built in “Piazza Signoria”.


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Middle Age in florence

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