11 Facts About Luca Pitti

Luca Pitti was a Florentine banker during the period of the republic presided over by Cosimo de' Medici.

Luca Pitti was awarded a knighthood, and received lavish presents from both the Signory of Firenze and the Medici family as a reward for helping maintain the government during the last years of Cosimo's rule when Cosimo was too old and feeble to maintain power alone.

Luca Pitti was consequently declared a rebel, betrayed and returned to Florence where he mysteriously died in prison.

Luca Pitti was then ennobled and very wealthy indeed, Niccolo Machiavelli in his History of Florence estimates no less a sum than twenty thousand ducats was presented to him.

The true architect, often thought to be Luca Pitti Fancelli, was less well known at the time and the new palazzo, while awe inspiring, was not a true rival to the magnificence of the Medici residences.

Machiavelli states that Luca Pitti would give sanctuary to any criminal within his walls if they could be of use in their building or decoration.

Machiavelli hints that Luca Pitti's wealth was further increased by bribes and presents in return for favours.

Luca Pitti was pardoned by Piero after the failure of the plot and thereafter supported him.

Luca Pitti's prosperity began to decline after the death of his patron, Cosimo de' Medici, in 1464.

Luca Pitti himself passed away in 1472, and construction on his grand palazzo had already halted in 1465, leaving him unable to see its completion.

However, by 1549, financial struggles forced Buonaccorso Luca Pitti to sell the palace to Eleanor of Toledo, Duchess of Florence, the wife of Cosimo I de' Medici, Duke of Florence.