Savonarola Monument In His Home Town Ferrara, Italy. Editorial Photo

Savonarola was born on 21 September 1452, in Ferrara. His father, Michele Savonarola, was a noted physician and polymath. Savonarola`s mother Elena claimed a lineage from the Bonacossi family of Mantua. She and her husband Niccolo had seven children, of whom Girolamo was third. His grandfather was a very successful physician who oversaw his education. His family had amassed in his grandfather`s footsteps. At some point, however, he abandoned his career intentions.