Palazzo Della Gherardesca remarkable Women Four Seasons Firenze Intl Women Day 2024

Tuesday, February 27, 2024

March 8, 2024 marks a special occasion at Four Seasons Hotel Firenze as it commemorates International Women’s Day by paying tribute to the remarkable women who once resided in Palazzo della Gherardesca. The hotel invites the public to join a guided tour of the property, shedding light on the captivating stories of these women.

Leading the tour is Sara Innocenti, a knowledgeable Florentine tour guide and travel content creator. Sara will take eager guests and external visitors on a journey through the historical halls of the Renaissance palace and its picturesque gardens, recounting the lives of two influential figures: humanist Alessandra Scala and countess Costanza de’ Medici della Gherardesca.

Scheduled for March 8, 2024, at 11:00 am, the Renaissance women tour promises to be an enlightening experience. For bookings, please contact [email protected].

Alessandra Scala, born in 1475, was the daughter of Bartolomeo Scala. Despite being one of the many talented women of the Renaissance whose legacy was only recently rediscovered, Alessandra’s intellect shone brightly. A student of the esteemed humanist Poliziano, she excelled in Latin and Greek. At the age of sixteen, she sought advice from Venetian proto-feminist Cassandra Fedele on the dilemma of marriage versus pursuing a life as an artist and poet. Cassandra’s counsel, drawing from Plato, encouraged Alessandra to follow her heart. Three years later, Alessandra demonstrated that a woman in the 1490s could indeed have both love and intellectual pursuits by marrying fellow linguist and poet, Michele Marullo.

Costanza de’ Medici della Gherardesca, sister of Alessandro de’ Medici, also known as Pope Leo XI, left her mark on the property in the early 17th century. Despite inheriting the house after the death of her husband, count Ugo della Gherardesca, Costanza faced legal challenges due to her brother’s changed will shortly before his passing. It was not until her own demise that these issues were resolved, with her son Simone being confirmed as the rightful owner in 1607. Throughout her ownership, Costanza, known for her devout nature, made one significant addition to her Florence home—a modest ground floor room adorned with frescoes depicting the life of Guido della Gherardesca, a revered Medieval ancestor of her late husband. This hermitage later lent its name to Tenuta San Guido, the esteemed wine estate renowned for producing the iconic “Super Tuscan” Sassicaia.

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