What is the name of the city where Assassin’s Creed II begins?

Assassin’s Creed II begins in Florence.

Ezio Auditore’s story opens in Florence in 1476, during the Italian Renaissance. The city is Ezio’s home, and the opening chapters introduce his family, his rivalry with Vieri de’ Pazzi, and the political danger that changes his life. Florence also serves as the setting for many early missions and exploration activities.

The game later expands beyond Florence to locations such as Monteriggioni, San Gimignano, Forlì, Venice, and the Vatican in Rome. Venice is therefore a major setting, but it is not where the game begins.

The historical Florence presented in Assassin’s Creed II includes recognizable Renaissance landmarks and figures, including Leonardo da Vinci and Lorenzo de’ Medici. The game takes artistic liberties, but its opening location is consistently identified as Florence.