San Niccolò in Firenze in Città Metropolitana di Firenze, Tuscany, Italy — Southern and Western Europe (Mediterranean)
Building Ban by Cosimo I
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, July 25, 2025
1. Building Ban by Cosimo I
[Latin inscription:]
Huius montis ædes soli vitio ter collapsas ne quis denvo restitveret
Cosmus Med Florentin AC Senens DVXII vetuit
Octobri MDLXV
[English translation:]
Because the dwellings on this hill by fault of the terrain have collapsed three times, Cosimo de' Medici of Florence and Siena forbids anyone from rebuilding here again.
October 1565
Erected 1565.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Environment • Roads & Vehicles. A significant historical month for this entry is October 1565.
Location. 43° 45.933′ N, 11° 15.391′ E. Marker is in Firenze, Toscana (Tuscany), in Città Metropolitana di Firenze. It is in San Niccolò. It is on Via de' Bardi 0.1 kilometers west of Costa Scarpuccia, on the right when traveling east. The marker is embedded into the embankment wall on the south side of the street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Firenze, Toscana 50125, Italy. Touch for directions.
Regionally, it is in Europe, the European Union, the Schengen Area, a coastal Mediterranean country, and the Western World. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: St. Francis of Assisi (a few steps from this marker); Chiesa di Santa Lucia dei Màgnoli (within shouting distance of this marker); Palazzo Castellani (about 240 meters away, measured in a direct line); Meridiana Monumentale / Monumental Sundial (about 240 meters away); The Flood of 1966 (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); John Brampton Philpot (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); Giuseppe e Vittorio Jacquier (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); Chiesa di San Remigio / Church of Saint Remigius (approx. 0.3 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Firenze.
Regarding Building Ban by Cosimo I. This hill in a section of the south bank of the Arno River in Florence called Costa San Giorgio was long susceptible to landslides, including several in the mid-1500s. According to a historical marker for Santa Lucia dei Magnoli Church just up the street from this plaque, the area was subject to repeated landslides that caused severe damage to the church, which led many to call it "Santa Lucia
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, July 25, 2025
2. Building Ban by Cosimo I Marker
This particular plaque gained some visibility in 2020, when plans to build a luxury resort at the site of an old barracks near this spot were made public, and various groups were worried about the impact it would have on the historic area.
Also see . . .
1. Qui News Firenze: Costa San Giorgio, interviene il difensore civico. This 2020 Italian-language news article references the plaque on Via de' Bardi. (Submitted on August 18, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)
2. The Divine Rebirth of Raphael's Madonna of Goldfinch. This article on the website 3 Pipe Problem about a Raphael painting called Madonna of the Goldfinch references the landslides that led to Cosimo's edict. According to one source, the painting was commissioned by Lorenzo Nasi, whose home was destroyed in a landslide.
Excerpt: "This picture was held by Lorenzo Nasi, as long as he lived, in very great veneration, both in memory of Raffaello,(Submitted on August 18, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)who had been so much his friend, and on account of the dignity and excellence of the work; but afterwards, on August 9, in the year 1548, it met an evil fate, when, on account of the collapse of the hill of S. Giorgio, the house of Lorenzo fell down, together with the ornate and beautiful houses of the heirs of Marco del Nero, and other neighbouring dwellings. However, the pieces of the picture being found among fragments of the ruins, the son of Lorenzo, Batista, who was a great lover of art, had them put together as well as possible."Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, July 25, 20253. Via de' BardiThe marker is embedded into the retaining wall on the right side of the street in this photo.
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, July 25, 2025
4. Via de' Bardi
The marker can be seen on the left side of the road in the distance.
Painting by Giovanni Battista Naldini, 1585
5. Cosimo I, Grand Duke of Tuscany
This 1585 painting was commissioned by Cosimo's son, Francesco.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 10, 2026. It was originally submitted on August 18, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 130 times since then and 33 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on August 18, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.
Editor’s want-list for this marker. Confirmation of the Latin translation • Can you help?
