Renaissance Courtesans: Scandalous History Tour

Uncover the captivating lives of powerful courtesans and mistresses in Renaissance Rome. Explore the history of women in Europe, their struggles, and triumphs in a tour that reveals the politics, religion, and society of 16th and 17th century Italy.

Duration: 3 hours
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • Basilica San Marco Evangelista - The tour begins with a massive statue that in 1477 was named after a famous Courtesan. The statue nowadays is indeed known as “Lady Lucrezia”. This XV century woman who lived an incredibly colorful life, is the first story of this storytelling tour
What's Included
  • A knowledgeable local guide
  • Complimentary hotel pickup and drop-off
  • Entry to all mentioned landmarks
  • Traditional lunch included
  • Comfortable air-conditioned transportation
  • Small group experience
  • Free bottled water throughout the tour
  • Exclusive access to certain areas
  • Souvenir shop visit (optional)
What's Not Included
  • Snacks
Additional Information

Welcome to the most intriguing, jaw-dropping, and utterly captivating walking tour you never knew you needed! Forget the dry history lectures—this is a tour about the women who made Renaissance Italy come alive.
Explore the world of Renaissance courtesans, remarkable women who played a pivotal role in the politics of Renaissance Europe. Consider them as…

Location
Basilica of St Mark Evangelist at Campidoglio
Piazza di San Marco
The meeting point for this tour is adjacent to Piazza Venezia. In this piazza, you will see Rome's biggest monument. The locals call it the "Wedding Cake Monument," although its proper name is the "Victorian." Facing it, you will find our meeting point, Basilica San Marco, on your right.
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
5.0
(54 Ratings)
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Louisecg1399fu
Jun 14, 2025
Take the tour!! - Massimo vividly brought to life the successes and hardships of these significant women through his story telling. Buildings, emblems, back streets, churches, bakeries, books and paintings and walks off the beaten track were explored and explained. Highly recommend! ☘️
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Edwardo186338
Mar 9, 2025
Best private tour guide in Rome ! - Massimon is possibly the best private guide I have ever had . His vast knowledge of Roman history especially // colloseum / Roman forum makes the history so much more interesting.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
S8684rndawnm
Jan 24, 2025
Massimo's unique stories- of Roman life. - Guide books have pictures and some gathered and easily accessible facts, but on the tour with Massimo we learned so much more, relating to the people and the times and society they lived in. Amongst the restrictions of the times for women, we learned about some amazingly innovative and adaptive, entrepreneurial and successful, as well as sad lives of these people; the tour was comprehensive and beautifully presented. Massimo was very generous with his time and knowledge and I will definitely be doing more tours with him in future visits to Rome.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Florence
Jan 21, 2025
Engaging and fascinating - Massimo was a historian and a storyteller- weaving together the stories of courtesans and street women to explore the grim realities for women living in the 14th-16th centuries. We loved how he went beyond the basic facts to share the experiences of these women who were disrespected in their lives but had a massive influence on the Catholic Church and art world. Women who are so often looked at in famous art, but not remembered for the stories of their lives. Thank you Massimo for an engaging, enjoyable and thought provoking tour!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Nadia_d
Dec 30, 2024
Fascinating history told by a born storyteller - You will walk a fair bit but it's not too much. The tour guide, Massimo, is enthusiastic and a great storyteller and the subject matter fascinating. Highly recommended.
Review provided by Viator
Paulahp3199xo
Nov 15, 2024
Book this Tour! - If you are visiting Rome in the future, booking Massimo's Review of: Renaissance Scarlet Ladies Tour: Caravaggio's and Borgia's Women should be on your "must do" list! It's a different tour in that it's storytelling at it's best. Massimo shared the stories behind the women in the iconic paintings of Caravaggio and during the time the Borgias were in charge of the church and the government. You won't be disappointed if you take this tour! I took the tour with four other friends and we were all enthralled.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
R5572onroberth
Nov 6, 2024
Highly entertaining and informative - A great tour. We were in Rome 9 days and took a dozen tours and this was our favorite (along with Massimo's other tour). Massimo did a lot of homework and is a great storyteller. The tour was highly informative and entertaining. It may sonud a little seedy (and it is) but it was handled tactfully such that my very conservative wife loved the tour. You will not regret taking this tour.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
282gayp
Oct 28, 2024
Renaissance at its best - This was a wonderful delve into the "steamier" side of the renaissance Rome. Seven women were highlighted along with some of their homes. Massimo is a wonderfully sassy, knowledgeable and talented storyteller. I don't know when I have enjoyed and laughed so much.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Bluephoenix416
Oct 23, 2024
Rome's Lesser Told Stories - This was such an amazing tour. Be sure to wear your good walking shoes because Massimo takes you to many sites. Massimo has a wealth of knowledge with the stories of the women you will learn about. The twists & turns of the stories & the range of emotions you feel for these women is all worth it. You end up getting very invested in these women & wonder how many more were like them. Massimo is not only a phenomenal story teller, he is giving a voice to women that normally are not heard. This is a side of Rome that they don't teach you in schools. I highly recommend this tour.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Scooplevy
Sep 11, 2024
A rare find - Massimo was absolutely delightful. His knowledge of the subject and his research was incredibly detailed. His stories were fascinating and gave us a whole new perspective on the impact of church in the lives of 14th, 15th and 16th century Romans. I highly recommend this tour.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
From $44
up to 10 guests
1 - Adult
Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience (local time).