Florence - Palazzo Vecchio (Palazzo della Signoria) 
The austere beauty of the city and the pride and tenacity of the people of Florence are embodied in the Palazzo Vecchio (or della Signoria) in a unique way.
The city's principal palace came into existence when Florence was beginning its rise to power and greatness, was a witness to the decades of its artistic and cultural heyday, and stayed on as the symbol of its glorious past. The defiant fortress-like structure of the main building serves to express the power exercised by the Florentine community from the 14th to the 16th century; its bold and lofty tower (94m/308ft), with its clock dating from 1353, symbolizes the fierce pride of the people of Florence, while the furnishings within the palace reflect their love of art. Arnolfo di Cambio is said to have begin the building (1299-1314). Thereafter several patrons and architects (Michelozzo) were responsible for modifying the work and for the additions and alterations. Initially the palace was the official residence of the Priors (Palazzo dei Priori) and the Gonfaloniere, which therefore made it the seat of the governing body of the Republic, the "Signoria". Its other names, Palazzo del Popolo and Palazzo del Comune, are accounted for by the republican-democratic nature of Florence, even when it was ruled by the Medici, although they governed from their palace, the Palazzo Medici. It was Cosimo I, Duke then Grand Duke of Tuscany, who moved into the city's principal palace in 1540, after which it was known as the Palazzo Ducale (Ducal Palace). Soon, however, he moved into the Palazzo Pitti, so the name of Palazzo Vecchio (old palace) became current. Between 1865 and 1872, during the Italian struggle for unity, it was for a while the seat of the Government, the Chamber of Deputies and the Foreign Ministry. Thereafter it became the equivalent of the City Hall, and the state rooms were thrown open to the public as a museum.
The city's principal palace came into existence when Florence was beginning its rise to power and greatness, was a witness to the decades of its artistic and cultural heyday, and stayed on as the symbol of its glorious past. The defiant fortress-like structure of the main building serves to express the power exercised by the Florentine community from the 14th to the 16th century; its bold and lofty tower (94m/308ft), with its clock dating from 1353, symbolizes the fierce pride of the people of Florence, while the furnishings within the palace reflect their love of art. Arnolfo di Cambio is said to have begin the building (1299-1314). Thereafter several patrons and architects (Michelozzo) were responsible for modifying the work and for the additions and alterations. Initially the palace was the official residence of the Priors (Palazzo dei Priori) and the Gonfaloniere, which therefore made it the seat of the governing body of the Republic, the "Signoria". Its other names, Palazzo del Popolo and Palazzo del Comune, are accounted for by the republican-democratic nature of Florence, even when it was ruled by the Medici, although they governed from their palace, the Palazzo Medici. It was Cosimo I, Duke then Grand Duke of Tuscany, who moved into the city's principal palace in 1540, after which it was known as the Palazzo Ducale (Ducal Palace). Soon, however, he moved into the Palazzo Pitti, so the name of Palazzo Vecchio (old palace) became current. Between 1865 and 1872, during the Italian struggle for unity, it was for a while the seat of the Government, the Chamber of Deputies and the Foreign Ministry. Thereafter it became the equivalent of the City Hall, and the state rooms were thrown open to the public as a museum.
Hobbies & Activities category: Castle, chateau, palace; Paintings, art collections; Architecture - Renaissance; Clocks and timepieces
Attractions within Palazzo Vecchio (Palazzo della Signoria)
Verrocchio Room
As its name implies, this room chiefly contains works by Verrocchio, including his "Noblewoman", "David" (bronze), "Madonna and Child (high relief) and "Resurrection of Christ" (high relief).
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Exterior
To the left of the main entrance is a copy of Donatello's Marzocco, the heraldic lion of Florence with the city's coat of arms between its paws, and next to it a copy of Donatello's bronze statue
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Ground Floor
The ground floor has three courtyards, the armory and the great stairs that lead to the upper floors. The first courtyard and the armory are especially interesting.Camera dell'Arme
The armory is worth visiting as it is the only room to have survived from the 14th century palace.Primo Cortile
The small inner courtyard, the "Primo Cortile", was redesigned by Michelozzo in 1470 (magnificent columns!). In the center is a graceful fountain with a putto and dolphin (1476), a copy of the
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Scalone del Vasari
The great staircase is by Vasari (1560-1563).Quartiere di Leone X
Leo X's quarters lead off from the Salone dei Cinquecento (on the opposite side of the entrance, right). Today this is where the mayor and city council have their offices.Salone dei Cinquecento
This vast room 53.7m/176ft long, 22.4m/71.5ft high and 18.7m/61.3ft wide, is the work of Simone del Pollaiolo, known as Cronaca (1495). The walls were once decorated by two famous paintings,
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Second Floor
Sala dei Gigli
The Lily Room has a large fresco by Ghirlandaio (1481-1485). Today this room also contains the famous bronze group "Judith and Holofernes" by Donatello (1455-1460). It was decided
The Lily Room has a large fresco by Ghirlandaio (1481-1485). Today this room also contains the famous bronze group "Judith and Holofernes" by Donatello (1455-1460). It was decided
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Studiolo di Francesco I de'Medici
To the right of the entrance a door leads to Francesco I's study, designed by Vasari and richly decorated with paintings, frescoes and statues. Eminent painters (Poppi, Tito, Naldini) and sculptors
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Tesoretto
A secret staircase leads to the Tesoretto, Cosimo I's little study, with ceiling paintings by pupils of Vasari.
On the other side of the Salone dei Cinquecento are the Ricetto (anteroom), the Sala
On the other side of the Salone dei Cinquecento are the Ricetto (anteroom), the Sala
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Palazzo Vecchio
Piazza della Signoria
I-50100 Florence
Italy
Piazza della Signoria
I-50100 Florence
Italy
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| Open | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | |
| Closed | 19:00 | 19:00 | 19:00 | 14:00 | 19:00 | 19:00 | 14:00 | |
| Always closed on: | ||||||||
| New Year's Day (January 1) Easter - Christian May Day / Labor Day (May 1) Assumption Day - Christian (August 15) Christmas - Christian (December 25) | ||||||||
Disabled
Full facilities for persons with disabilities.
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