Story

When you think of Florence and Tuscany, you hardly think of the Habsburgs first. And yet
Europe’s once most powerful ruling house also had a decisive influence on the fate of Tuscany
for just over a century. The film is dedicated to this period between the first half of the 18th century and the second half of the 19th century and sets out in search of the traces that the Habsburgs left behind in Tuscany, but above all in Florence.

The Tuscan line of the House of Habsburg-Lorraine was founded by Franz Stephan of Lorraine and his wife Maria Theresa of Austria.

A mighty triumphal arch still commemorates their entry into Florence today. Franz Stephan had the Grand Duchy administered by governors who came with him from Lorraine to Tuscany.

Alessandro Francois’ ancestors also settled in Tuscany in 1740 out of loyalty to the imperial family. Since the late 19th century, the family has dedicated itself to winegrowing in the Chianti region around the Castello di Querceto castle. Alessandro Francois guides director Gernot Stadler through his vineyards and talks about the time when his ancestors were loyal servants of the Grand Dukes.

In the hills above the city – at Villa La Petraia – we meet Theresa Meran, who comes from the Tuscan line of the Habsburgs. She tells us about the carefree childhood days that her ancestor Archduke Johann spent here.

The noblewoman introduces us to Sileno Cheloni. Ancient perfumes are created in his mystical laboratory. He is a “maestro del profumo”, a “master of fragrances”.

Count Vieri Torrigiani lovingly looks after the largest private city garden in Europe, which his ancestors had created within the city walls of Florence. The Torrigiani are old Florentine nobility and have helped to shape the fortunes of the city over the last few centuries.

The oldest coffee house in the city is the Caffé Gilli. Founded in 1733, it soon established itself as a meeting place for aristocrats, intellectuals and artists.
Today, the “Gilli” is considered the most elegant café in Florence. The specialty pastries and chocolates as well as the selection of different types of coffee are unique even for Florence.

Production data

Format

Documentary, 52 min, 2021

Production

GS-Film, ORF/3sat

Written and directed by

Björn Kölz and Gernot Stadler

Camera

Gernot Stadler

Production management

Monika Orsini-Rosenberg

Distribution

ORF Enterprise