Who was Giovanni da Verrazzano
On the occasion of Verrazzano Day, which is celebrated on April 17, we retrace the story of the Florentine explorer
Florence, the heart of the Renaissance and cradle of great minds, gave birth to one of the most influential explorers of the 16th century: Giovanni da Verrazzano.
Born around 1485 at the Castle of Verrazzano, located in Greve in Chianti, Verrazzano showed a strong inclination for adventure from a young age. His early travels took him to Egypt and Syria—lands then considered exotic and mysterious.
In 1524, in the service of King Francis I of France, Verrazzano embarked on an expedition with the aim of finding a new route to the Pacific Ocean. Departing from Dieppe aboard the Dauphine caravelle, he explored the Atlantic coast of North America, landing on April 17 in the bay we now know as New York. In his report, he described the area as a "very large river mouth" with a deep inlet capable of accommodating large ships, and populated by numerous indigenous boats.
Although he was not the first European to reach the North American shores, Verrazzano was the first to systematically explore the Atlantic coastline of what is now the United States and to enter New York Bay. However, for a long time, his contributions were underestimated, with figures like Henry Hudson often mistakenly credited as the first explorers of the area.
Today, Giovanni da Verrazzano represents a bridge between two worlds—a symbol of exploration and cultural connection. His bond with Florence is tangible: the city dedicated a bridge over the Arno River to him, inaugurated in 1970, connecting the districts of Gavinana and Campo di Marte. Additionally, Via Giovanni da Verrazzano, in Florence’s historic center, stands where the navigator’s birthplace is believed to have been.
Today, both in New York and in Greve in Chianti, Verrazzano Day is celebrated on April 17 with a series of cultural events that strengthen the symbolic bridge between Italy and the United States and commemorate the explorer’s arrival in New York Bay in 1524.
