In which city does Assassin's Creed II begin its story?

Assassin's Creed II begins its story in Florence.

The game opens with Ezio Auditore da Firenze as a young Florentine in 1476. The early chapters introduce his family, friends, and rivalries before a conspiracy changes his life and sends him toward the Assassin path.

Florence was one of the most important cultural and political centers of Renaissance Italy. In the game, players explore landmarks inspired by the real city, including the Basilica of Santa Croce, the Palazzo della Signoria, and the cathedral commonly known as the Duomo.

Venice becomes a major later setting, which can cause confusion when recalling the game's opening location. Rome is especially prominent in Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood, while Milan appears in the broader Italian setting but is not the opening city of Assassin's Creed II.