arti maggiori

The Arti Maggiori, or major guilds of Florence, were powerful organizations that played a crucial role in the city's economic and political life, particularly during the 12th and 13th centuries. These guilds represented the most influential trades and professions, such as bankers and international cloth traders (Calimala guild), and bankers (Cambio guild).12

Membership in a major guild was a prerequisite for holding political office in Florence. The city's constitution, the Ordinances of Justice, established a government body called the Signoria, composed of nine priors who were elected from the major guilds. This system ensured that the city's leadership was in the hands of its most prosperous and influential citizens. The economic power of these guilds was built on Florence's thriving woolen cloth industry and its sophisticated banking system, which extended throughout Europe.1