The Medicean Humanist Villages
The Medicean Humanist Villages are, by definition, urban settlements created or developed during the Italian Renaissance under the patronage of the Medici family, renowned patrons of the arts and culture.
These villages reflect the humanist values of the Renaissance era, with particular attention to the harmony between architecture, urban planning, and nature. They often include civil, religious, and cultural buildings of great artistic value. Also eligible to be included on this site among the Medicean Humanist Villages are Italian or foreign municipalities whose history was influenced by the Renaissance cultural climate developed in Italy or abroad thanks to the Medici family.
The Medicean Humanist Villages include central squares, well-ordered streets, noble palaces, and functional structures such as schools and libraries. The original urban planning of these villages was often influenced by humanist ideals of beauty, proportion, and functionality, with the aim of creating an environment that fostered the moral and intellectual well-being of its inhabitants.
Nature Reserves
The Medicean Nature Reserves are protected areas that represent the essential ecosystem for the Medicean Humanist Villages, providing the food and energy districts needed to develop plans for food and energy self-sufficiency, as described on this site.
These nature reserves are also described and monitored on the platform iNaturalist.org, where citizen science activities are carried out in collaboration with local institutions and the residents of the villages. The management of these ecosystems is entrusted to the Knights of Saint Stephen Pope and Martyr, a dynastic chivalric order of the Grand Ducal House of Medici of Tuscany, dedicated to the protection of the land and the promotion of sustainable development.
Medicean Humanist Patronage
The public patronage of the Grand Ducal House of Medici of Tuscany to the municipal administrations of the Medicean Humanist Villages is established through a grand ducal decree signed by His Royal Highness Ottaviano de’ Medici of Tuscany. It represents a formal and honorary recognition of the historical and cultural value of the Tuscan villages that share the Medici’s humanist legacy.
With the granting of the title “Medicean Humanist Village,” a figure of Medicean Humanist Vicar is also appointed for each village, whose role is to provide support and guidance to the municipal administration.
Humanist Fiefdoms
With the aim of strengthening the governance of the Villages inspired by the principles of Humanism (Medicean Humanist Governance), H.R.H. the Grand Duke Ottaviano de’ Medici of Tuscany intends to establish, within the municipal territory of the Villages, Medicean Humanist Fiefdoms. These will be led by a Humanist Feudal Lord—a philanthropist, benefactor, or patron—who is granted a noble title by H.R.H. the Grand Duke.
The noble title associated with these fiefdoms may be Lord, Baron, Count, or Marquis, followed by the name of the Village, and is selected in proportion to the size of the municipal territory measured in hectares.
In addition to the figure of the Feudal Lord, who holds the primary administrative role, the Humanist Government of the fiefdom is structured with an organizational chart that includes the following roles: a Medicean Grand Ducal Vicar or Captain, a Chancellor, a Governing Council composed of four members, a Council of Justice with three members, and five Medicean Humanist Conservators, each dedicated to one of the following values: Beauty, Libertas, Nobilitas, Humanitas, and Reason.
This organization reflects the Medicean tradition’s commitment to promoting a form of governance inspired by the principles of Humanism, with a focus on the enhancement of culture, the arts, and the sciences, in keeping with the historical legacy of the Medici family during the Florentine Renaissance.
The Humanist Feudal Lord is committed to maintaining ownership of a residence within the Village befitting his rank, which may also be acquired after receiving the noble title.