The walk described below was extracted from a suggested itinerary entitled "Florence and the Medici" published by Firenze Giubileo 2000. Allow two hours (with no stops).
The walk starts from the [1] Medici Palace [Via Camillo Cavour, 1], built in 1444 by Michelozzo for Cosimo the Elder. In the renaissance courtyard one can see the Medici coat of arms and at the first floor visit the small, but richly decorated, Chapel where Lorenzo's resemblance with the younger of the three kings emphasizes the political and civil weight of the Medici.Almost opposite the palace the [2] Church of Saint Laurence holds the tombs of the Medici (died out in 1737), who were also buried in the Old and New Sacristies as well as in the Chapel of the Princes. Going through the cloister one can visit the Laurentian Library with precious books and manuscripts collected by Cosimo and his son Piero. Continue down Borgo San Lorenzo and Via Roma to [3] Via de Medici, in the centre of town, that witnessed the early settlement of the family in the area of the Old Market. Turning right from Via Medici, then first left along Via Calimala, you reach [4] Via Porta Rossa. Here, near the present Loggia of the New Market, were the Medici banks wanted by Cosimo I.
Follow the trail to [5] Piazza Signoria and the nearby [6] Palazzo Vecchio. The achievement of monarchical power by the Medici is clearly visible. Sculptures in the square as well as those under the Loggia, emphasize the might of Medici Grandukes: Bandinelli's Hercules and Cacus, Cellini's Perseus, Ammannati's Fountain of Neptune, Giambologna's Rape of the Sabine and the Equestrian Monument of Cosimo I.Cosimo I's climax was reached when the [7] Uffizi were built in 1560 and later Vasari was charged to link Palazzo Vecchio with the newly acquired [9] Pitti Palace, thanks to the Corridor built in 1565 over the old shops at [8] Ponte Vecchio. The top floor of the corridor was turned into one of the most prestigious art collections.
At Pitti Palace and in the magnificent [10] Boboli Gardens, designed by Tribolo in 1550, the Medici lived as successful sovereigns surrounding themselves with high quality works of art and really fascinating pomp.
At least one of the several country Medici villas should be visited to end the Medici tour properly, either at [11] Poggio Imperiale [viale di Poggio Imperiale, 1], [12] Careggi [Viale Pieraccini, 17], [13] Castello [Via di Castello, 47], or [14] La Petraia [Via della Petraia, 40] or in the outskirt of Florence. (Zoom out for these locations).