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One of the worlds most architecturally beautiful cities; with countless museums and galleries
crammed with masterpieces. Here is where Florence assumes its crucial role in European and world
history. Experts in both trade and banking (the Medici were to finance many of the adventures
that opened up trade routes around the world), the city grew staggeringly rich. The families
liked to flaunt their wealth, and money was poured into patronage of the arts, as Florence
became a home to artists, sculptors, architects and musicians.