Page "Florence" Paragraph 8

Florence was home to the Medici, one of history's most important noble families.

Lorenzo de ' Medici was considered a political and cultural mastermind of Italy in the late 15th century.

Two members of the family, were popes as Leo X and Clement VII in the early 16th century.

Catherine de Medici, married king Henry II of France and, after his death in 1559, reigned as regent in France.

The Medici reigned Grand Dukes of Tuscany starting with Cosimo I de ' Medici in 1569, until the death of Gian Gastone de ' Medici in 1737.