Restored by the Medici family, the Monastery of Badia Fiesolana nestles in the picturesque Tuscan countryside, just outside Florence. At its heart stands the Church of Badia Fiesolana, commissioned in 1470 by Lorenzo de’ Medici as a bridge between this world and the next. Taking over a decade to complete at great expense, the church remains a testament to the Medici dynasty’s wealth and influence. While its exterior retains the style of the original structure, its interior exudes an opulence that starkly contrasts with the monastery’s austere surroundings.
With the founding of the Medici Bank in 1397, the family swiftly became Europe’s wealthiest and most powerful. The monastery and church were among the many architectural projects they patronised. The church conceals hidden chambers, accessible through intricate codes—a favoured technique among Renaissance elites. Within these hallowed walls, the Medici safeguarded countless treasures, some of which remain undiscovered to this day.
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