Nestled within the Monastery of Badia Fiesolana, the Church of Badia Fiesolana stands more as a monument to Medici wealth than a place of worship. Constructed between 1470 and 1482, its costs soared to four times the original budget. Rumour has it that Giovanni de’ Medici—later Pope Leo X—once quipped that securing a place in heaven was costlier than a seat in government.
Resting within the church lies the tomb of Father Bruni, author of I Segreti dei Savi (The Secrets of the Sages) and its twin, The Voynich Manuscript. Beneath the church, a labyrinth of hidden vaults safeguards rare books and artefacts amassed by the dynasty. Protected by intricate codes, some of these treasures remain undiscovered to this day.
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