Did you know that The Villa Auditore does exist?

If you're a fan of the Assassin’s Creed series, the house above might look familiar. Being Featured prominently in the Ezio trilogy is the great Villa Auditore, this location hold a special place in the hearts of gamers, but how much of what we see in the game is real? Being an Assissins Creed fan myself I have if the Auditore Villa actually did exist.

Well after a little bit of research. Today, we’ll explore the real-life history of Monteriggioni and the Villa Auditore.

In the Assassin’s Creed series, Monteriggioni serves as the base of operations for Ezio Auditore and the Assassin Brotherhood. Set during the Renaissance, the town is the seat of the Auditore family, who control the area in the game. This medieval town in Tuscany plays a major role in both Assassin's Creed II and Assassin's Creed Brotherhood.

Monteriggioni is depicted as a peaceful haven where Ezio lives, trains, and prepares for his mission. The Villa Auditore, built by Ezio’s great-great-grandfather Domenico Auditore, is a key landmark In the game. The Villa Auditore, a stronghold of the Auditore family was actually inspired from The Villa di Maiano built in the 15th century. Its located somewhere in between Fiesole and Florence and not in Monteriggioni as it was in the game. Although the two villas are distinct, they share architectural similarities.

In Assassin’s Creed Brotherhood, the town is tragically besieged by Cesare Borgia and the Papal Army, leading to the death of Mario Auditore, Ezio’s beloved uncle. The villa is destroyed, marking a significant turning point in Ezio’s journey. The Auditore family remains linked to Monteriggioni even in the modern-day Assassin's Creed narrative, with the ruined villa becoming a hideout for the modern-day Assassins.

As you can see the real Monteriggioni has no Villa Auditore. It was built by the Sienese between 1213 and 1217 AD as a strategic fortress. Its role was to protect the region during the Sienese-Florentine wars in the Middle Ages. The town's iconic outer walls and towers are remarkably similar to the game’s depiction, making it a perfect setting for the game's story. With two main gates one facing Florence and the other Rome. Monteriggioni is located on a hilltop, offering a strategic vantage point over the surrounding valleys.

Despite its smaller size in real life, Monteriggioni remains a popular tourist destination, with its medieval charms. Attracting visitors from all over the world. Tourists can explore attractions like the Church of Santa Maria Assunta, which stands today just as it did in the game's storyline. Built during the same period as the town, this Romanesque-Gothic church is one of the few landmarks that both game and reality share. It’s also worth noting that the game’s dramatic depiction of Cesare Borgia’s siege of Monteriggioni never actually happened. In real history, Cesare Borgia never laid siege to the town despite the game’s storyline.

Monteriggioni’s true history is much more complex. The town withstood several sieges over the centuries, including numerous attempts by the Medici and Florence to seize control. Its ultimate downfall came in 1550, not through a military defeat but through political betrayal. Giovanni Zeti, the captain of the garrison, surrendered the town to the Florentines in exchange for favor with the Medici. This betrayal marked the end of Monteriggioni’s long-standing independence.

Something though interesting is how Giovanni Zeti is mentioned in the Assassin’s Creed games as a Florentine exile who betrays the town another example of how real history and the game’s narrative intersect.

Another interesting fact is that the Villa di Maiano was once owned by the Pazzi family, who were rivals to the Auditore family in the game. The Pazzi family has a storied history, including their involvement in the Pazzi Conspiracy, a failed attempt to overthrow the Medici family. It would have been fascinating if the game had featured the historical feud between the Pazzi and Medici families, which would have added another layer of historical depth to the Assassin's Creed game.

Monteriggioni’s history is rich and varied, far beyond its depiction in Assassin’s Creed. While Villa Auditore may be a fictional creation, it is based on the real Villa di Maiano, located near Florence. The Auditore family may not have ruled Monteriggioni, but their story adds a layer of intrigue and drama to the game, rooted in a well crafted mix of historical fiction and reality.

The Assassincs Creed series are known for depicting real historical locations in their games so whether you’re exploring the town of Monteriggioni in the game or visiting it in person, You are bound to find a lot of similarities.