The Other Side of Medieval Florence
9 hrs. 54 min.
Language
Russian
Author
Pletneva Maria
Author
Pletneva Maria
Narrator
Yulia Bochanova
Narrator
Yulia Bochanova
Description
Florence—how much is hidden in that word…
The history of the city is many-sided, full of events, interesting, gripping, and sometimes tragic. This daughter of the Roman Empire gave the whole world one of the best periods in the history of art—the Renaissance. But not everything was so smooth, and Florence knows how to grow the beautiful on what seems, at first glance, to be the most unfavorable soil.
In this book, what lies behind beautiful frescoes in family chapels, luxurious chivalric tournaments, palace facades, and sculptures is laid bare; the “medical record” of medieval society is carefully flipped through, and its most unpleasant—and sometimes foul-smelling—corners are brought to light. Here are shown the ambitions of the Renaissance creators that are not always fulfilled, and the beginning of the crisis of the 16th century, which split Europe into Catholics and Protestants. The author did not plan this journey to pour salt on a wound, to mock or condemn Florence or its great creators. The aim is to show that nothing happens without prerequisites, and that the Renaissance is no exception: it was brought about by a complex mechanism set in motion already in the Middle Ages.
Without taking a walk through Florence’s darkest streets of history, it’s impossible to fully enjoy the dawn that, despite everything, spills golden light over its terracotta roofs.
Contents
Introduction Chapter I. Who’s charging what? Chapter II. By the will of God Chapter III. Easy to pay from someone else’s pocket Chapter IV. From rags to princes Chapter V. Three popes, one tiara Chapter VI. Revenge is a dish best served cold Chapter VII. New horizons of the Medici Chapter VIII. Pray for our souls Chapter IX. Stand up, the court is in session! Chapter X. Forbidden fruit is not always sweet Chapter XI. Did it happen or didn’t it? Chapter XII. The miracle of Florence Chapter XIII. Shattered dreams Chapter XIV. The sunset of the Renaissance Epilogue
The history of the city is many-sided, full of events, interesting, gripping, and sometimes tragic. This daughter of the Roman Empire gave the whole world one of the best periods in the history of art—the Renaissance. But not everything was so smooth, and Florence knows how to grow the beautiful on what seems, at first glance, to be the most unfavorable soil.
In this book, what lies behind beautiful frescoes in family chapels, luxurious chivalric tournaments, palace facades, and sculptures is laid bare; the “medical record” of medieval society is carefully flipped through, and its most unpleasant—and sometimes foul-smelling—corners are brought to light. Here are shown the ambitions of the Renaissance creators that are not always fulfilled, and the beginning of the crisis of the 16th century, which split Europe into Catholics and Protestants. The author did not plan this journey to pour salt on a wound, to mock or condemn Florence or its great creators. The aim is to show that nothing happens without prerequisites, and that the Renaissance is no exception: it was brought about by a complex mechanism set in motion already in the Middle Ages.
Without taking a walk through Florence’s darkest streets of history, it’s impossible to fully enjoy the dawn that, despite everything, spills golden light over its terracotta roofs.
Contents
Introduction Chapter I. Who’s charging what? Chapter II. By the will of God Chapter III. Easy to pay from someone else’s pocket Chapter IV. From rags to princes Chapter V. Three popes, one tiara Chapter VI. Revenge is a dish best served cold Chapter VII. New horizons of the Medici Chapter VIII. Pray for our souls Chapter IX. Stand up, the court is in session! Chapter X. Forbidden fruit is not always sweet Chapter XI. Did it happen or didn’t it? Chapter XII. The miracle of Florence Chapter XIII. Shattered dreams Chapter XIV. The sunset of the Renaissance Epilogue
