Florence - Palazzo Frescobaldi

In the Piazza Frescobaldi, on the left bank of the Arno at the end of the Ponte Santa Trinità in Florence, stands the palace of the Frescobaldi family. Built in the 13th century, it was used by Charles de Valois, the brother of the French king, as his residence when his peace mission on behalf of Pope Boniface VIII brought him to Florence in 1301 (one of the consequences of his mediation was Dante's being sent into exile). The palace was remodeled in the 17th century. The Frescobaldis are today one of Italy's most prosperous landowners.