Firenze and surroundings

Badia a Settimo

By "Settimo" Leonardo represents Badia a Settimo (the abbey in the Commune of Scandicci, seven miles from the centre of Florence) on map RL 12685 (Windsor Castle), and mentions it in Madrid Ms. II (f. 7r). It is a reference point in the system of roads traversing the Arno valley, on the route between Florence and Empoli-Pisa.

Firenze

The city of Florence, centre of Humanism and of the Renaissance, was the second homeland of Leonardo, who is frequently mentioned in the sources as "Florentine". On map RL 12685, for the Arno Canal project, he represents the city without naming it, stenographically evidencing the Cathedral with its dome, the circle of walls and the bridges over the Arno. See thematic itineraries.