Medici Masters of Florence premiere in Florence

It’s very hard not to be excited in Florence, lately. Just a few days ago I wrote about the Inferno premiere, and here I am again. It’s official: the worldwide Medici Masters of Florence premiere is also set in Florence, at Palazzo Vecchio, on October 14th, 2016, just 8 days after Inferno.

“Medici: Masters of Florence” is an Italian-American TV series co-produced by Lux Vide and Big Lights Productions. Season one will have 8 episodes and will be focused on the rise of the Medici family, with Giovanni di Bicci, founder of the Medici Bank, interpreted by the Academi Award winner Dustin Hoffman, and his son Cosimo interpreted by Richard Madden (Game of Thrones).

The TV series has already been renewed for a season two, with 8 more episodes that will focus on the life of Lorenzo de Medici, “the Magnificent”, arguably the most famous of his family.

The series has been filmed one year ago in Florence and other locations in Tuscany and Lazio, and it’s the first time you will see a story about the famous Renaissance family filmed in the actual places and not in a made up set.

Medici Masters of Florence premiere in other countries

We have no precise news about the Medici Masters of Florence premiere in the other EU countries, North America and Australia. We will update as soon as possible, this is what we know so far:

• USA and North America: sales will be handled by WME
• New Zealand: eOne
• Australia: SBS
• Germany: Sky
• Latin America: Sony Pictures TV
• Israel: DBS
• Belgium: VRT
• Poland: Canal Plus
• Lithuania: VRT
• Slovenia: RTV
• Slovakia: RTVS
• French speaking Africa: Canal Plus Overseas
• Japan: Hulu
• Georgia: Georgian public broadcast 1
• Bulgaria: BTV

The premiere dates have not been released, but maybe you can get informed on the official websites of the listed channels.

Get ready for Medici Masters of Florence

Although inspired to the history of the Medici, we don’t know if the TV drama will be historically accurate, and how much space will be left for fiction. The history of the Medici family is rather complicated and rich of events, and there is a large literature for who wants to get informed, before or after the Medici Masters in Florence premiere.

Here are my suggestinons for a good book and a beautiful documentary on DVD by PBS:

Of course, if you are planning a trip to Florence, Italy, you can watch some live shows about the Medici:

Medici Dynasty Show in Florence – $33.71 Travel back in time to the days of Medicean Florence with admission to the 1-hour Medici Dynasty Show. The multimedia show takes place inside the former Convent of Fuligno, and traces the life and impact of the Medici family — the de facto Florentine rulers during the Renaissance period. See their story through the eyes of the last of their dynasty, the dying Grand Duke Gian Gastone and his sister Anna Maria Luisa, and discover how the family turned Florence into a Renaissance treasure through music and immersive special effects.

The Medici Family: Theatrical Performance Followed by a Tuscan Dinner – $75.28 The last descendants of the legendary Medici Family come to life in the evocative space of an ancient Baroque church. Presented inside the former Convent of Fuligno, enjoy a masterpiece of “infotainment”, that skillfully blends history and traditional customs with modern technology covering the story of the Medici Dynasty. After the show, enjoy a delicious Tuscan dinner in an historical restaurant located only a few minutes away from the theater.

Finally, you can join tours of the Medici places:

Medici Villas and Residences Private Tour – $37.08 Villa Petraia and Villa di Castello are one of the most fascinating Medicean residences located on the outskirts of Florence. The villas are connected by a boulevard runs in 1833. The 3 hours private tour is designed for those wishing to enjoy art, history, tranquillity and serenity out of city center, these are great places.

Medici Chapels Private Tour – $44.94 One of the places that best represents the power of the Medici family, the splendor of Michelangelo’s sculptures and the glitz of the Chapel of the Princes.