What factors made florence Italy leading cultural center during renaissance?

Answer 1

This has long been a matter of debate among many scholars and historians. Some say that it is as a result of luck that it became a place where the Renaissance began and that the 'Renaissance Men' such as Da Vinci, Botticelli and Michelangelo were all born in Florence. It should not be forgotten, however, that these 'Renaissance Men' were able to be eminent because of the prevailing cultural conditions at the time. The Medici family played a significant role in encouraging and stimulating the arts. Especially, Lorenzo de' Medici devoted much of his property to aid the artists of Florence.

Florence became one of the wealthiest cities of Northern Italy, and at last, in the early 14th century, became the center of international trade. The wealth was due in some part to its woolen textile production under the supervision of its dominant trade guild, the Arte della Lana. The wealth of Florence came also from alternate enterprises such as banking. In a sense, it was banking, rather than the textile production, that helped build the greatest family fortunes in Florence. It was because Florentine citizens could hardly participate in seaborne trade, the method to sell commodities like textile, formed in a large scale since it was situated in inland area.

By the active operations of the Medici bank, Florence's role as an international finance center was strengthened in the 15th century. Under the management of Cosimo de' Medici, this firm maintained branches in the major cities of Europe. It accumulated enormous profits that were used to finance political activity and to support cultural activities.

Since there was adequate capital in Florence, cultural activities were supported. Thus art and architecture were developed mainly in Florence, and this led Florence to be the beginning of the Italian Renaissance.

Answer 2

This has long been a matter of debate among many scholars and historians. Some say that it is as a result of luck that it became a place where the Renaissance began and that the 'Renaissance Men' such as Da Vinci, Botticelli and Michelangelo were all born in Florence. It should not be forgotten, however, that these 'Renaissance Men' were able to be eminent because of the prevailing cultural conditions at the time. The Medici family played a significant role in encouraging and stimulating the arts. Especially, Lorenzo de' Medici devoted much of his property to aid the artists of Florence.

Florence became one of the wealthiest cities of Northern Italy, and at last, in the early 14th century, became the center of international trade. The wealth was due in some part to its woolen textile production under the supervision of its dominant trade guild, the Arte della Lana. The wealth of Florence came also from alternate enterprises such as banking. In a sense, it was banking, rather than the textile production, that helped build the greatest family fortunes in Florence. It was because Florentine citizens could hardly participate in seaborne trade, the method to sell commodities like textile, formed in a large scale since it was situated in inland area.

By the active operations of the Medici bank, Florence's role as an international finance center was strengthened in the 15th century. Under the management of Cosimo de' Medici, this firm maintained branches in the major cities of Europe. It accumulated enormous profits that were used to finance political activity and to support cultural activities.

Since there was adequate capital in Florence, cultural activities were supported. Thus art and architecture were developed mainly in Florence, and this led Florence to be the beginning of the Italian Renaissance.