Busini

Nobles - Knights

The Busini’s were an ancient, noble Tuscan family from the city of Florence. They lived under the Black Lion flag (Il Gonfalone Del Lion Nero) in the most exclusive section of the elegant Santa Croce quarter of Florence and were close neighbours to the Peruzzi family who, during the Early Renaissance, were among the most important families in all of Italy.

The Busini house had two gonfalonieri (high civic magistrates) and twenty-eight priors in the Signoria (the government of the city of Florence) between 1345 and 1524, the first of which was Bese, of Busino, of Donato.

The Busini family were related to the Bardi family and were successful Florentine bankers in the 13th century. The Palazzo Busini Bardi still stands in all its original glory in central Florence today. Its design (circa 1430) has been attributed to architect, Filippo Brunelleschi, who is famous for designing the dome of the Florence Cathedral.

In 1423, the Busini family bought an elegant residence with a panoramic position overlooking the Val di Sieve, surrounded by woods, vineyards, and olive groves. The estate took their name—Villa I Busini.

Members of the Busini family held public offices between the 14th and 17th centuries. Francesco of Antonio was mayor of Buggiano and, under the rule of the Medici, became a member of the Council of the Dugento (Council of the Two Hundred) in 1532.

The Council of the Dugento was formed in 1532 during the transition from the Florentine Republic to the Medici duchy, and despite its name, actually comprised of 244 members, all directly appointed by the duke. The office of Councilor of the Dugento lasted until death and was reserved only to Florentine citizens over 35 years of age. 

Lotto of Giovanni, husband to Ginevram of Gaetano Fortini, was elected Stefanian knight in 1609. His son, Niccolò went on to marry Caterina of Niccolò Del Garbo, and their son Lotto, (later husband to Antonietta di Gentile Tedaldi), became mayor and vicar of various locations in the Florentine countryside. 

The nobility of the Busini family is confirmed by their presence in the Raccolta Ceramelli Papiani (Ceramelli Papiani Collection), established over many years by Enrico Ceramelli Papiani (1896-1976), and preserved to this day in the State Archives of Florence. It contains almost 8000 files relating to Tuscan families of ancient origin. Within each file there is genealogical and heraldic information taken from documented sources that were preserved in the Florentine Archive, and other archival institutes and libraries across Tuscany.

Today, Villa I Busini proudly upholds the Busini family name and has been restored and preserved to reflect its original Renaissance magnificence.