Florentia - the flowering wonder that bloomed in the Renaissance era to be remembered forever. Originally home to farmers, sheepherders, and straw makers, the fertile soil gave way to the world’s most reknowned wines – Chianti, Brunello, and Super Tuscans.
At the same time the flourishing textile industry made a small group of families in the area extremely rich. The merchant heart of these Florentine families led them to establish the gold florin, minted in 1252 and they used their ever-increasing wealth in the international banking and financial loan business throughout Europe.
But loan-sharking was a mortal sin for the Church. So, listening to their Christian conscience and in search of forgiveness and safe-haven after death, the affluent families such as the Medici’s and their archrivals the Pazzi’s, - with a little help from the Vatican - understood that pardon lay in the commissioning of churches, sculptures, murals, and altarpieces to express the greater glory of God.
This was the beginning of one of the greatest miracles in human art history, the Florentine Quattrocento (15th Century).
Thanks to Anna Maria Luisa, sister of the last grand duke, the property and art belonging to Florence was to remain there forever: “for the ornament of the state, the utility of the public and in order to attract the attention of foreigners”.
Hence the timeless works of art in the Uffizi Gallery; the majestic Duomo and Battistero; the wonder of sculptures like the Davide, on display at the Accademia, or the statue of Neptune in Piazza Signoria, next to the Palazzo Vecchio; not to mention numerous Villas and Palaces: Palazzo Pitti, the Medici family home; Villa Massa, Villa Corsini, Villa La Petraia, Villa di Artimino ….Florence is a picture of Paradise on Earth! As W.R. Inge remarked: “The nations which have put mankind and posterity most in their debt have been small states Israel, Athens, Florence, Elizabethan England” Indeed!
Aperitivo Ortensia
Champagne Veuve Cliquot San Pietroburgo
Prosecco, spumante cocktails, white and red wines
Assorted fruit juices and non-alcoholic drinks
Dry snacks
Assorted canapes
Fresh-cut raw vegetables
Scottish smoked salmon
Focaccia with baked ham and fresh cheese
Fried rice pyramids with zaffron and mozzarella
Stuffed fried olives
Lilium Dinner Menu
Veal carpaccio with celery and pecorino salad dressed with vinagrette nut
Rice pilaf with red lettuce and onion cream and skewered quail
Beef roast with bread and marrow
served with vegetable and potato lasagna dressed with olive oil
Wine selection recommended by the house sommelier
Wedding Cake:
Millefoglie with chantilly cream and chocolate bits
After dinner
Coffee and assorted pastries
Children's menu
Canteloupe and ham
Pasta twirls with tomato and basil sauce
Grilled chicken scallops with fries and zucchini
Vanilla ice cream
Soft drinks and mineral water
Open bar and DJ till midnight
(Bride and groom open the dance floor) |
