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I9th CENTURY AND ONWARDS
Florence as capital of the Kingdom of Italy In 1803, Palazzo Portinari Salviati passed from the Ricciardi Serguidi family, through inheritance, to Pietro Leopoldo di Giannozzo Da Cepperello (or Da Cepparello). The building was then acquired by the City of Florence when it became the capital of the Kingdom of Italy and was used as a government office building. In 1864, the Senate approved a bill to authorize the transfer of the capital of the Kingdom of Italy from Turin to Florence in 1865. Choosing Florence as the capital indicated the significance of the Tuscan Renaissance. Florence was called the Italian Athens. Artists such as Michelangelo and Raphael, as well as the Florentine popes of the 16th century, played an important role in forming Italian art and culture. Additionally, as the city was located in the center of Italy, far away from borders and seas, it was a secure location for the most important political and military authorities. Victor Emmanuel II’s triumphant entry into Florence On February 3, 1865, King Victor Emmanuel II left Turin and settled in Florence. A sense of festivity spread throughout the city with flags hanging from all the windows. The Florentines accompanied the king from the station to the Pitti Palace, where he looked out from the balcony several times to greet the cheerful crowd. A 19th century painting depicted the triumphant entry of Victor Emmanuel II into Florence as follows: “surrounded by jubilant citizens, the king prepares to
KING VICTOR EMMANUEL II IN FLORENCE
in front of Palazzo Vecchio
PIAZZA SANTA CROCE ON 14 MAY 1865
the statue of Dante was inaugurated by SM Victor Emmanuel II in Florence, commemorating the sixth centenary of the poet’s birth
