Answer:
Although the exact reasons as to why Italy began to turn from what was known as the Middle Ages into the Renaissance period, are still being debated by scholars, there are several theories that might explain why this pretty unique period in history initiated there.
First is location. It must be remembered that Italy, especially due to its strategic location on the Mediterranean, was the center of commerce through the seas between Europe and the Middle and Far East. This placed the city-states of Italy at an advantage with respect to other European cities as they received through commerce the influences from the cultures of the Middle East and the Far East.
It must also be remembered that with the collapse of the Byzantine Empire in 1453, many scholars who were dedicated to studying the ancient Greek and Roman cultures sought refuge in the now growing and prospering city states of Italy. This meant that especially the prosperous merchant families in Venice, Florence, and others, became the sponsors of these scholars who brought with them their studies and artifacts, including texts, from ancient Greece and Rome. It was exposure and a resurgence of interest in these two last cultures, what brought about the changes that gave birth to the Renaissance.
A third reason was the influence of the Church as the protector, and also the most important sponsor for scholarship. Because the Church at this point became the center of political, financial and intellectual power, it became the most important sponsor for learning and cultural exchange. It is probably this one of the most important reasons as to why the Renaissance began in Italy, as Italy was the center of Church power and through that influence came the contact with the scholars who studied the ancient Greek and Roman cultures.
Like these three given, there are several more reasons to answer the question. I have selected the three most relevant.
