Duchy of Florence

The Duchy of Florence (Italian: Ducato di Firenze) was an Italian principality that was centred on the city of Florence, in Tuscany, Italy. The duchy was founded after Pope Clement VII, himself a Medici, appointed his relative Alessandro de' Medici as Duke of the Florentine Republic, thereby transforming the Republic of Florence into a hereditary monarchy.

Duchy of Florence
Ducato di Firenze (Italian)
1532–1569
Coat of arms
The Duchy of Florence (green) in 1548
CapitalFlorence
43°47′N 11°15′E
Common languagesItalian
Religion
Catholic Church
GovernmentMonarchy
Duke of Florence 
 1532–1537
Alessandro
 1537–1569
Cosimo I
History 
 Established
1532
 Battle of Marciano
1554
 Elevated to Grand Duchy
1569
CurrencyFlorin
Preceded by
Succeeded by
Republic of Florence
Republic of Siena
Grand Duchy of Tuscany

The second Duke, Cosimo I, established a strong Florentine navy and expanded his territory, purchasing Elba and conquering Siena. In 1569, Pope Pius V declared Cosimo Grand Duke of Tuscany. The Medici ruled the Grand Duchy of Tuscany until 1737.

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