In what city did the Renaissance begin?

Most sources date the beginning of the Renaissance to the late 13th century in Florence, Italy, citing the writings of Dante and Petrarch and the paintings of Giotto Di Bondone as the inception point for the new energy which would ultimately sweep through Europe over the next few centuries, bridging the middle ages and modern history. Other early centers were also in northern Italy; Venice, Milan and Genoa were three of them. Later, during the "Renaissance Papacy" the movement would spread to Rome.

Though the Renaissance brought many changes to many intellectual pursuits, it is probably best known for its artistic advances and the polymaths such as Leonardo Da Vinci and Michelangelo who were the epitome of the term "Renaissance Man". Other notables were Raphael, Botticelli, Donatello and Titian. Not to be outdone, the sciences produced such figures as Galileo, Tycho Brahe and Johannes Kepler, among many others. Around 1440 Gutenberg's printing press played a large part in bringing the news of the wonders taking place in Italy to the rest of Europe.