Florence
Florence (Firenze in Italian) is a location in Assassin's Creed II.
It is the home city of the main character in Assassin's Creed II: Ezio. The game will begin in this city (for the memory world). The city was first revealed (to journalists) during the GamesCom 2009 in Cologne (Germany).
History of Florence
Florence was founded in 60 B.C but it was during the 15th century that it would become one of Italy's most important cities, because it was the cradle of Renaissance. Renaissance began in Florence mainly because of the Medici family controlling the city; and the family was known for being a great supporter of the arts and science; and also because most of the important characters of the Italian Renaissance, like Leonardo da Vinci, Boticelli, Michelangelo, Ezio Auditore or Niccolò Machiavelli lived in this city. Many of the first architectural creations of the era, like Santa Maria Novella, the Cathedral, the Campanile or the Palazzo Auditore were made in Florence as well.
The city flourished during the reign of the Lorenzo de' Medici, and during this reign, great artists, philosophers and others had contributed to the city's development. In 1478, the Templars wanted to take control of the city, so they sent the Pazzi family to overthrow the Medicis. In their attempt, the Pazzis assassinated Giuliano de' Medici and tried to do the same with Lorenzo, but Ezio Auditore protected him. Later in the night, the Templar soldiers were fighting the loyalist Florentine guards and Jacopo de' Pazzi was convincing the people to go against Lorenzo de' Medici when Ezio killed Francesco de' Pazzi wherein some supporters of the Medici hanged his corpse before the Palazzo Communale. After the Templar soldiers were defeated and Jacopo fled the city, Lorenzo de' Medici took control of the city again.
Then, in 1492, Lorenzo de Medici died and a man was gaining popularity within the people. His name was Girolamo Savonarola. Savonarola was a dominican monk who disagreed with the advances made during the renaissance and the lack of religion in the people's lives, so after stealing the Apple of Eden, he used it to control the people's mind, and took control of Florence two years later. During his reign, Florence became hell on earth as Savonarola imposed a theocratic and dogmatic regime. The most notable event of his reign was of course, the Bonfire of the Vanities that occured in 1497, when his students collected all objects that would lead to sin, like non-religious books, jewels or fine clothes, to name a few. During this time, Ezio and Machiavelli fought for Florence, and in 1498, Savonarola died and the Medici took control of the city again.
Landmarks
Many of Italia's famous landmarks are featured in Assassin's Creed II. Aside from the ones listed below, players will also be able to see Basilica of Santa Croce, Palazzo Vecchio, and Ponte Vecchio
Santa Maria del Fiore
- Main: Santa Maria del Fiore
The Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore is the church (Duomo) of Florence begun in 1296 in the Gothic style to the design of Arnolfo di Cambio and completed structurally in 1436 with the dome engineered by Filippo Brunelleschi. The Basilica appears in Assassin's Creed II in Florence, as it should. The tower is climbable and has a View Point on the very top of it. Also, the interior is accessible in Iltani's Assassin's Tomb. When this side-mission is entered, Ezio needs to climb to the inside of the top, where Iltani's tomb is, from the entrance.
Santa Maria Novella
Santa Maria Novella is a church in Florence, situated just across the main railway station which shares its name. Chronologically, it is the first great basilica in Florence, and is the city's principal Dominican church. The church, the adjoining cloister, and chapterhouse contain a store of art treasures and funerary monuments. Especially famous are frescoes by masters of Gothic and early Renaissance. They were financed through the generosity of the most important Florentine families, who ensured themselves of funerary chapels on consecrated ground. In Assassin's Creed II, the basilica houses an Assassin's Tomb.
Assassination Targets
- Uberto Alberti; the Gonfaloniere (DNA Sequence 2: Vengeance)
- Francesco de' Pazzi; Patriarch of the Pazzi Family (DNA Sequence 4: Bloody Sunday)
- Girolamo Savonarola; monk in control of Florence (DNA Sequence 13: Bonfire of the Vanities)
Southern Florence
The southernmost area of Florence is unreachable by the player in the main game; attempting to cross the bridge over the river will cause Desmond to desynchronise and although you cannot reach the other side, map icons for posters will appear when you are notorious. Several viewpoints with eagles are also visible. The development team planned for this section of the map to be released as part of the Bonfire of the Vanities downloadable content.
Gallery
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Ezio viewing the area from a View Point before doing a Leap of Faith, with the Basilica of Santa Maria Novella in the back. -
Florence at day -
A literal bird's eye-view of Florence in Lineage. The environment was recreated by Hybride Technologies and Ubisoft Digital Arts from the assets of the Anvil engine. -
Florence at night
