Arno

The Arno river was the primary waterway of Florence, running through the southern section of the city. The Arno separated the Oltrarno District from the four other districts of the city.

Medici drowning
"When I was six years old I fell into the Arno. I soon found myself drifting down, and into darkness, certain my life was at an end."

- Lorenzo de' Medici recalls a childhood accident. In 1455, a six-year old Lorenzo de' Medici fell into the Arno. Believing his life to be over, Lorenzo drifted deep into the river. However, Lorenzo was rescued by a member of the Auditore family, who had dove into the river and pulled Lorenzo out, saving his life. Subsequently after this event, a long-lasting, successful relationship developed between the Auditore and the Medici.

Auditore last rites
Later, in 1476, Ezio Auditore met his lover, Cristina Vespucci, near the Arno. Ezio informed Cristina that he needed to provide his family with their last rites after Ezio's father, Giovanni, and brothers Federico and Petruccio Auditore, had been executed.

After collecting his families' bodies from the Palazzo della Signoria, Ezio made his way back to the river. Surreptitiously maneuvering past the guards patrolling vigilantly, Ezio was able to leave his family's bodies on a gondola on the river.