Florence serves as Ezio Auditore's family home early in Assassin's Creed II.
The 2009 game opens in Florence, where Ezio grows up as a young nobleman during the Italian Renaissance. The city introduces the Auditore family, Ezio's friendships, and the political conflict that drives his transformation into an Assassin. After tragedy strikes his family, Ezio leaves Florence and begins a wider journey across Italy.
Florence is historically associated with influential Renaissance families, artists, bankers, and political factions. Assassin's Creed II uses recognizable landmarks and streets while combining historical figures with fictional characters. The game later takes Ezio to places including Monteriggioni, San Gimignano, Forlì, Venice, and Rome.
Venice is another major city in Assassin's Creed II, but it becomes important later in the story. Florence is the early home and formative setting that establishes Ezio's personal motivation.