The Princes of Florence

alea, Korea Boardgames, Quined Games · Board game · 2000
1–5 · best 5 Solo 75–100 min Weight 3.2/5
rating Ludopedia
7.5 rating BGG
How to Play Buy · from US$ 25.99
rating Ludopedia
7.5 rating BGG
Our Verdict
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

If you love a classic eurogame with tense auctions and deep strategy, 'The Princes of Florence' is a Renaissance feast that can't be missed on your table!

Highlights
  • Strategic and exciting auctions
  • Challenging decision-making
  • Immersive Renaissance theme
  • High replayability
  • Space optimization
Keep in mind
  • Can feel a bit dry
  • Initial learning curve
  • Indirect interaction
Learn How to Play Step by Step Check out our complete step-by-step rules guide.
Access Rules Guide

About the game

What you do in a play session

In 'The Princes of Florence', you are a Florentine noble in the heart of the Renaissance, striving to attract the greatest talents of the era to your palace and, of course, become the most prestigious family in Florence. Over seven rounds, the goal is to accumulate as many victory points as possible, with most of them coming from your ability to host brilliant professionals. Imagine having renowned astronomers, organists, and architects working for you!

To achieve this, you'll need a keen eye for auctions. Each professional has their preferences: a specific type of building, a landscape feature, or even a level of 'social freedom' they require. Your mission is to acquire these elements and combine them as best as possible to satisfy the demands of your future employees. The more you match their preferences, the more 'work points' you generate.

But it's not just about accumulating! Each round, the minimum work point requirement to convert into money or victory points increases. It's a game of constant balance between investing, satisfying the demands of your talents, and ensuring you can convert that work into prestige. With tense auctions, spatial planning in your palace, and resource management, 'The Princes of Florence' is a classic that blends strategy with a rich theme.

Expansions

Published additional content

2 items

Rules videos

Learn by watching before you open the box

11 videos

Rules manual

Official PDF file

Rules manual — The Princes of Florence English · PDF
Download Manual

Best player count

BGG community vote

1–5 players
1 OK
2 OK
3 REC
4 REC
5 BEST

Where to Buy

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Game details

Mechanics, categories, families and credits

Families

Cities: Florence (Tuscany, Italy) Components: 7 x 7 Grids Components: Polyominoes Components: Wooden pieces & boards Country: Italy Digital Implementations: BrettspielWelt
Publisher alea, Korea Boardgames, Quined Games, Ravensburger AG, uplay.it edizioni, BGA Plus
Designer Jens Christopher Ulrich, Richard Ulrich, Wolfgang Kramer
Artist Arnaud Demaegd, Eckhard Freytag, Lukas Siegmon, Mirco Paganessi, Richard Ulrich, Wolfgang Kramer

Community

Data from BoardGameGeek

18,627owners
2,505wishlist
549want to play

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers before you buy

7 questions
How many players can play The Princes of Florence?
The game is suitable for 1 to 5 players, but the experience truly shines with 3 or 4, where the auction competition becomes more intense and fun!
What is the average playtime for a game?
Prepare for a session of 75 to 100 minutes. It's a game that requires planning, so set aside enough time to enjoy each round.
What is the complexity level of the game?
It's considered a medium-to-heavy weight game (3.24/5 on BGG). It's not a 'filler', but it's not a monster either. It has clear rules, but the strategic depth requires a few plays to master.
Is The Princes of Florence a good game for eurogame beginners?
It can be a good challenge for bolder beginners, but it might be better to start with something a bit lighter to get the hang of auction and optimization mechanics before diving in.
What are the main components of the game?
You'll find a main board, individual palace boards, profession cards, freedom cards, building tiles (polyominoes), wooden markers, and plenty of money (in-game, of course!). All with art that evokes the Renaissance.
Are there any expansions for The Princes of Florence?
Yes, there is an expansion called 'The Princes of Florence: The Muse & The Princess', which adds new cards and a new game element, the muse, for those who want more options and challenges.
Does the game have language dependency?
The language dependency is moderate. The profession and freedom cards contain text that is important for gameplay. Having a translated reference sheet or translated cards can greatly help players who are not fluent in English.

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