In the console room, the Doctor dusts with a frilly white undershirt like those worn by the Third Doctor, and Sarah picks up a recorder like the one played by the Second Doctor.
Louis Marks was chosen to write the story because of his expertise on the subject of the Italian Renaissance.
This featured a new Police Box prop designed by Barry Newbery. This was to replace the previous prop which was deemed unsafe after 13 years of service. Also featured is a new wooden second control room, also designed by Newbery.
Location shooting for the serial was done at the resort of Portmeirion in Wales, better known as the setting for The Prisoner (1967).
Many of the costumes used in the story had previously appeared in Romeo and Juliet (1968). Both stories are set in Italy in the 15th century.