Why I Created the Renaissance Program in Florence
Bringing Renaissance wisdom back to life in the city where it began
A City That Invented a New Era
Florence is unique, unlike any other city in the world.
Here, the Renaissance didn’t just happen — it was invented by the Renaissance humanists who sought to recover the knowledge and wisdom of classical civilization. Walking its streets, you encounter living reminders of the ideas that transformed Europe: the dignity of human beings, the power of education, and the conviction that beauty and knowledge can uplift society.
Why I Created the Renaissance Program
A few years ago, I realized something surprising.
It was actually a bit shocking. While Florence attracts millions of visitors each year, there was no accessible program devoted to the ideas of the Renaissance. There was no dedicated course for exploring how the spirit of Renaissance humanism shaped art, architecture, and civic life.
There were research institutes for specialists, of course. But there were no interdisciplinary programs for thoughtful individuals who wanted to explore how these ideas might still matter today.
That absence inspired me to create The Renaissance Program in Florence.
Florence as an Open-Air Classroom
This program is designed to be engaging and immersive. Each morning begins with a short talk introducing one of the great themes or ideas that shaped the Renaissance. We then step outside into Florence, where the city becomes an open-air classroom, to see how these ideas were embodied in practice.
Together, we visit masterpieces of art, architecture, and civic spaces as part of a larger conversation.
Extending the Conversation
Our explorations draw on insights from history, art, philosophy, and civic life, and we consider how they relate to our world today.
After five days in Florence and a chance to settle back at home, we reconvene online for two follow-up sessions that extend the conversation.
Ultimately, the Renaissance Program is more than a course. It’s a chance to experience the spirit of the Renaissance in the city that gave it life — and to rediscover what its ideas can offer us today.
Registration is now open for the March 2026 program
Read more about the course, the speakers, and the unforgettable sites and masterpieces we’ll visit:
David Fideler explores the role of philosophy and the humanities in modern life. He’s the founder of the Renaissance Program in Florence, Italy, and edits The Living Ideas Journal. His book on the Stoic philosopher Seneca has been published in over 15 languages. Originally from the United States, he now lives in Europe.
