The ubiquitous Medici escutcheon in Florence

The ubiquitous Medici escutcheon in Florence

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Contrary to the legend, the surname Medici has nothing to do with medical ancestors in the family, but with their move from the region of Mugello to Florence, back in the thirteen century, abandoning agriculture to devote themselves to financial life. The six red balls on the golden field of the coat of arms are not pills but bezants, a unit of weight from the Byzantine era used by merchants and medieval bankers to count. The mythical escutcheon is easily recognizable in any corner of Florence and when least expected.


El blasón Medici, en todas partes en Florencia

El origen del apellido Medici nada tiene que ver con antepasados médicos en la familia, como una tesis legendaria afirma. Esta familia procedente de la comarca del Mugello se trasladó a Florencia en el siglo XIII, abandonando la agricultura para dedicarse a la vida financiera. Las seis bolas rojas sobre campo dorado que aparecen en el escudo familiar no son píldoras sino bisantes, una unidad de peso de origen bizantino que los mercaderes y banqueros medievales empleaban para contabilizar las monedas. Es fácil reconocer este mítico blasón en cualquier esquina de Florencia en el momento menos pensado.

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Paco Neumann

Paco Neumann is a journalist, photographer, proofreader, flâneur and perpetual amateur currently living in between Florence, Berlin, Paris and Tenerife. He´s been a regular contributor to fashion, art, trend and lifestyle magazines and worked for news, advertising and communication agencies

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