Camillo Rinuccini, Descrizione delle feste fatte nelle reali nozze de' serenissimi principi di Toscana d. Cosimo de' Medici, e Maria Maddalena arciduchessa d'Austria, Firenze, 1608
The work illustrates the wonderful celebrations wanted by Ferdinand I to celebrate the wedding of his son, the future Cosimo II, who was very fond of shows and parties and sponsor of superb arrays. Between 18 October and 7 November 1608 dances, banquets and theatrical performances, jousting tournaments and naval fights were organized at court, in the Florentine squares and on the river, culminating in the representation of the Argonautica by Apollonius Rhodius on the Arno.
The description opens with the arrival of the bride in Florence and with the ride to welcome her to t Porta al Prato, the city gate, set up with a rich scenography, where Maria Maddalena was crowned Princess of Tuscany by the Grand Duke under a canopy of gold brocade. The procession crossed the city streets, decorated with arches, escorting the Princess to Palazzo Pitti, where she was received at the door by the groom.
The volume also contains poetic compositions written in honor of the couple and the "fairy tale" specially composed for the occasion by Michelangelo Buonarroti the Younger.