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Why did the renaissance begin in Northern Italy? The birth of the renaissance in Northern Italy cannot be attributed to one definite reason. However historians point to a number of important factors, which combined to influence its beginning. By the fourteenth century much of northern Italy was extremely wealthy. It was an area active in manufacture, notably of woollen cloth, which was exported at great profit. It was also active in commerce and most importantly, trade. Florence for example, was a major trading centre. Its position just off the west coast of Italy left it close enough to sea for its trade to flourish, yet safe from pirates and corsairs. Therefore Florentine merchants were able to create substantial wealth, importing luxury goods from the Middle East. The cities of Genoa, Venice and Milan also lay on great European trade routes. Genoa dominating the western Mediterranean, Venice the east and Milan...

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