Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
The Grand Duchy
Cosimo I was created Grand Duke of Tuscany in
1570, having forced Tuscany into a state of politi-
cal unity for the first time. A period of prosperity
followed, in spite of the corrupt and debauched
nature of Cosimo's heirs. When the Medici line
ended in 1737, the Grand Duchy was inherited
by the Austrian Dukes of Lorraine. They were
removed from power in 1860 during the Risorgi-
mento, when the Italian people joined forces to
overthrow their foreign rulers. From 1865-70,
Florence was the nation's capital. With the final
unification of Italy in 1870, however, the centre
of power returned to Rome.
Leopoldo and Family
Leopoldo I, later Emperor Leopold II of
Austria, introduced many reforms,
including abolition of the death penalty.
Galileo explains
his theory of
gravity.
The Church
rejected Galileo's
discoveries.
Livorno Harbour
Livorno became a free port in 1608:
ships from every nation were granted
equal docking rights, and the resulting
influx of Jewish and Moorish refugees
contributed to the city's prosperity.
THE AGE OF SCIENCE
Galileo was one of several brilliant
scientists who benefited from Medici
patronage during the 17th century,
making Tuscany a centre of scientific
innovation. His experiments and
astronomical observations laid the
foundations for modern empirical
science, but led to his persecution
for contradicting the teachings of
the Roman Catholic Church.
The Old Market
Florence's Old
Market was knocked
down in 1865, when
the city was briefly
the Italian capital. In
its place is the
triumphal arch of the
Piazza della Repub-
blica
(see p112)
.
TIMELINE
1570
Cosimo I granted the title: Grand Duke of Tuscany
1558
Cellini's
Autobiography
1574
Francesco I succeeds Cosimo I
1633
Galileo
excommunicated
1577
Work begins on making Livorno
Tuscany's main port
1550
1600
1650
1700
Helmet
belonging
to Cosimo III
1609
Cosimo II
succeeds Francesco I
1537
Cosimo I
elected
Duke of
Florence
1642
Galileo dies
under house arrest at
Arcetri, near Florence
Emblem of the
Medici dukes
