True Crime Medici Plot Game

Overview

Pope Clement VII de' Medici has a job for you. A notary has been found dead in Florence, carrying clues about the Pazzi Conspiracy, the plot in which the Pope's own father died. Over two hours you follow those clues through the city, deciphering codes and solving puzzles as part of a fictional investigation rather than a conventional guided walk.

The game starts at the door of the Church of San Giovannino on via Martelli, at the corner of the Medici Riccardi Palace, where a red sign marked TRUE CRIME marks the meeting point. From there the route moves through Piazza del Duomo, Piazza della Signoria and the Cattedrale dell'Immagine, with further stops the listing does not reveal in advance. The operator is blunt about what this is not: it is not a tour about art, monuments and general Florentine history. You come to play, and the outcome of the case depends on how well the group works together.

It runs in Spanish and Italian, and the recommended minimum age is twelve, though younger children can come along. The listing describes the game as taking place around sunset, before dinner, with teams competing for gold coins earned through correct answers. Travellers who enjoy puzzles and group dynamics tend to get the most out of it; those wanting a traditional sightseeing commentary should look elsewhere.

Itinerary

1. Meet at San GiovanninoGather at the red TRUE CRIME sign at the door of the Church of San Giovannino, via Martelli 13, at the corner of the Medici Riccardi Palace. There is no hotel pickup for this experience.
2. Piazza del DuomoThe investigation begins near the cathedral, one of the first stops on the route. The full route has five stops, and the listing shows the first three.
3. Piazza della SignoriaThe game continues through this square, following clues tied to the Pazzi Conspiracy story.
4. Cattedrale dell'ImmagineThe route passes the INFERNO immersive Dante experience. The listing does not state whether entry is included, so treat any visit inside as separate from the game.
5. Final stops and closeThe listing shows only the first three of the five stops on the route. The game ends after roughly two hours, with the case resolved or not depending on the team.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points will help you get the most out of this game before you book.

• Come ready to play. The operator states plainly that passive listeners will not enjoy this. Puzzles, codes and hidden details are part of the format, and the group's success depends on participation. Several reviewers described the dynamic as welcoming and said it encourages active engagement.
• Language check. The game runs in Spanish and Italian. Travellers without either language should not book, since the storytelling and the clues depend on understanding the host.
• Group competition. Teams compete against each other, earning gold coins for correct answers and losing them for mistakes. Reviews mention the group dynamic as a highlight, so expect a social, competitive atmosphere rather than a quiet walk.
• Comfortable shoes. The route covers city streets and alleys over two hours. Wear footwear you can walk in comfortably, since the game keeps moving between stops.
• Timing around sunset. The listing positions the game at sunset, just before dinner. Plan dinner for afterwards, since the two-hour format ends close to the evening meal.
• Age guidance. The recommended minimum age is twelve, with younger children allowed to accompany. One reviewer enjoyed it with her daughters, which fits the family-friendly framing, but the puzzles are aimed at alert, curious minds.

Common issues. This is not a conventional tour, and the operator says so directly: anyone expecting history, art and monument commentary will be disappointed. The game only runs in Spanish and Italian, which excludes travellers who speak neither. Spots are limited because of the interactive format, and the operator asks that you give notice if you cannot attend, so your place goes to another participant. The meeting point is a street corner rather than a fixed office, so allow time to find the red TRUE CRIME sign at the church door.

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