Florence, the cradle of the renaissance, boasts an artistic patrimony that has made it one of the most celebrated and fascinating cities in the world: the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore (with the bell tower designed by Giotto and the dome by Brunelleschi); the baptistry of San Giovanni; the gothic churches of Santa Maria Novella, Santa Trinita and Santa Croce (with its frescos by Giotto, ‘l’Annunciazione’ by Donatello, the tombs of some of Italy’s greatest names and the chapel of the Pazzi family); the palazzo della Signoria or Palazzo Vecchio; the Bargello; the ‘Loggia dei Lanzi’. From the renaissance period: the church of San Lorenzo which contains the tombs of the Medici family and of Michelangelo; and Palazzo Pitti which was commenced by Brunelleschi. The museums include: the Uffizi; the Galleria dell’Accademia which houses the statue of David by Michelangelo; the Galleria Palatina; the Museo Nazionale and the Museo Archeologico. Florence is also the birthplace of Dante Alighieri, Donatello, Botticelli, Brunelleschi and Macchiavelli. Founded on the site of an Etruscan settlement, the state of Florence gained importance during the XI century, commencing a period of political expansionism that was to see it dominate the region of Tuscany for coming centuries. Political life in Florence from 1215 was conditioned by the battles between the Guelfi and the Ghibellini, a dispute which originated over differences between two Florentine noble families. Frederick II took the side of the Ghibellini in opposition to the anti-imperialistic politics of the Guelfi. The eventual victors were the Guelfi, who soon divided into the two political factions known as the Blacks and the Whites. The rise to power of the Medici family at the end of the XIV century saw Florence enter an era rich in art and literature, a period known today as the Renaissance. In 1737 Florence passed under the dominion of the Asburgo-Lorena; in 1860 it was brought under the rule of Sardegna and in 1871 made the capital of Italy.