It was begun just as the 13th century was ending, in , as the official residence of the Priors Palazzo dei Priori and the Gonfaloniere, the governing body of the Republic the Signoria. The Medici dynasty, which ruled Florence and Tuscany, still lived and had offices in their own palace until , when Cosimo I moved here, and it became the Palazzo Ducale Ducal Palace. Between and , during the Italian struggle for unity, it was, for a time, the seat of the government, the Chamber of Deputies, and the Foreign Ministry.
After unification, it became the city offices, and the state rooms were opened to the public. Note: Some businesses may be temporarily closed due to recent global health and safety issues. Looking at the cubic shape and battlements of Palazzo Vecchio, it is easy to picture it as the fortress these palaces once were.
In fact, this one was built around one of the defensive towers that noble families erected during the Middle Ages as places of refuge from the frequent attacks of rival cities and various marauders. You'll notice how the current tower is offset from the building's center; that is to allow for the older tower that forms its base. Along with a copy of one of Florence's best known icons, Michelangelo's David , replicas of two works by Donatello stand at the main entrance: Marzocco , the heraldic lion of Florence holding the city's coat of arms, and a bronze statue, Judith and Holofernes the original is in the Sala del Gigli, inside.
Cortile di Michelozzo. Begin your visit in the first courtyard, redesigned in by Michelozzo with an arcade of intricately carved columns. In the center is a Verrocchio fountain with a putto and dolphin ; you'll see a copy of the original in a more protected spot upstairs.
The original palace has been restored several times, and the only room of the 14th-century palace to survive is the Camera dell'Arme , or armory. The grand staircase you'll climb to reach the main floor above was added by Vasari in to The main floor in Italy called the first floor or the "piano nobile" centers around the soaring Salone dei Cinquecento, whose ornate coffered ceiling rises 21 meters overhead, each of its 38 panels decorated with allegories and scenes from the history of Florence and of the Medici family.
The walls are lined with monumental paintings of Medici and city history. It is one of the artist's finest works, showing his mastery both of representing movement of the body and of translating that into marble. Leone X's quarters, opposite the entrance, are now office for the mayor and city council. Vasari designed a beautiful jewel box of a room for Francesco I's study , decorating it with paintings, frescoes, and statues by some of the late-Renaissance's most prominent painters and sculptors, including Giambologna, who did the small Apollo statue.
One of the palace's many secret staircases, by which the Medici moved from room to room in private, leads to the Tesoretto. This was Cosimo I's study, with ceiling paintings by students of Vasari. At the other side of the Salone dei Cinquecento are more small rooms, including the Sala del Dugento with a magnificently carved wooden ceiling by Michelozzo.
While the Salone is the most impressive of the places to visit in the palazzo, these rooms are the loveliest. A top attraction on the upper floor in Italy second floor is the Sala dei Gigli, or Lily Room, with a large fresco by Ghirlandaio and the original of the famous bronze group Judith and Holofernes by Donatello , brought here in from Piazza della Signoria to protect it from weathering.
The paintings front 20 functioning cupboards. From a peep hole, Francesco would spy on meetings in the Hall of Five Hundred. Behind two of the painted panels lie a private alchemy room and a secret staircase.
The study was disassembled in its time and only reassembled in the 20th century. On the second floor are the sumptuously decorated private rooms of the Medici. They consist of elegant apartments, small chambers, and a private chapel. The highlight is the Room of the Elements, Sala deli Elementi, the first of five rooms that make up the quarters of Cosimo I.
It's decorated with gorgeous mythological paintings created by Giorgio Vasari and his workshop in The paintings symbolize the ancient elements of a ir, water, fire and earth. You can see the frescos, which have been restored, here. For a fine view of Florence step out onto the Loggiato di Saturno in Cosimo's quarters. You should also visit the Apartments of Eleanora di Toledo, Cosimo's wife. She has her own chapel, with frescos painted by Renaissance master Bronzino, including The Deposition of Christ.
The Hall of Lilies is stunning example of early Renaissance interior decoration. It's spectacularly decorated with gilded coffered ceilings with gold on blue fleur de lis, the symbol of Florence.
In the Hall of Lilies, you'll find another precious treasure -- Donatello's groundbreaking Judith and Holofernes sculpture commissioned by Cosimo the Elder. A copy of the sculpture is in the Piazza della Signoria for free viewing. She does this by seducing, inebriating, and decapitating him.
Judith and Holofernes carried forth the Medici's underdog theme. The statue was first placed in the Medici garden. When the Medici had a short exile from the city, the citizens moved the statue into the Piazza della Signoria.
The original was moved to the Hall of Lilies in On the east wall is a fresco series by Domenico Ghirlandaio. It's a classical composition with faux painted architecture.
This room is next door to the Hall of Lilies. It was used, back in the day of the Signoria, as a room for meeting and audiences. Cosimo I commissioned Francesco Salviati to decorate it with frescos. The fresco is intended to exalt Cosimo I, who also vanquished Florence's enemies. The chamber has a beautiful Casetonne-style ceiling covered in gilt. On the second floor, you'll find the beautiful Map Room.
Built by Vasari, it houses Cosimo's private collection of 16th century maps. The maps chart everywhere in the known world from that century. Working with an actual cosmographer, Vasari designed a room with constellations painted on the ceiling, wooden cupboards with geographical maps painted on leather panels, and portraits of famous men from history. In the center stands the famous globe Mappa Mundi, the largest in the world when made in Roman Theater of Florentina.
Thanks to an underground passage, you can take a peak at the ancient Roman ruins of the Theater of Florentina from the 1st century AD. Palazzo Vecchio was built atop the ruins.
The first remains were excavated in The semi circular theater seated around 15, The ruins opened to the public in October If you're up for a climb of steps, the Tower of Arnolfo offers panoramic views. You enter via the Museum of Palazzo Vecchio, with a combined ticket for Palazzo Vecchio or for an additional small fee. On your hike up, you'll pass a prison cell known as the "Little Hotel. This is a great alternative to the long queues at the Giotto Bell Tower.
No more than 35 people can enter at once. On busy days, you'll be limited to 30 minutes. In bad weather, it's closed. Palazzo Vecchio is located in the Piazza della Signoria. The square is the center of Florentine life and politics, a meeting spot buzzing with activity. And it's a jackpot of free outdoor street art. Transport Bus : lines C1, C2 and D. Galleria dell'Accademia Ponte Vecchio. You may also be interested in. Galleria dell'Accademia With a large collection of sculptures, paintings and musical instruments, the academy gallery is known for housing inside one of the most famous sculptures of all time: Michelangelo's David.
Check out the full list on their site, as some tours are for younger children or 10 years old , some are from 8 and over and yet others only for 12 and over. You should find something that works for your family. Visit MUSE site. Between the first and the second floor, there is a mezzanine. It was created in by Michelozzo by lowering the ceilings of some rooms of the first floor. Today, the mezzanine houses the Loeser Collection , donated by the American art critic Charles Loeser who died in The second floor was the more private section of the palace, featuring the elegant Apartments of the Elements , the Apartments of Eleonora of Toledo , and the original Hall of Priors , along with many small chambers and a chapels frescoed by Bronzino.
Take time to look at them and see how much men in the Renaissance already knew about our world! The Map Room. It is one of the most imposing medieval towers remaining in Florence. Its height of 95 meters represents the highest civic symbol in the entire city. If you dare, steps will take you to the very top of the tower to enjoy a breathtaking view of Florence, passing through the guardian passages that also offer spectacular views of the city and entire valley. The tower is open to visits as far as the second crenelated battlement where you can admire the massive pillars which support the prison in which Friar Girolamo Savonarola was held during his last days.
The Battlements. I personally find Palazzo Vecchio one of the most enjoyable museums in Florence. I adore its secret routes, perfectly suitable for visits by families with kids and curious visitors. By the way…the frescoes of the coats of arms and encrypted mottoes are the best setting for a treasure hunt!
Chase the images of rhinoceros, weasels and turtles across the palace! I suggest you discover the links with these symbolic animals at sunset, reaching the top of the tower to enjoy an unforgettable view over the red tiled roofs of Florence!
Have a fun visit!
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