Conjure up images of Florence, Italy. What comes to mind? The red brick slope of Brunelleschi’s cupola atop the Duomo? Michelangelo’s statuesque marble depiction of David? The store-lined old bridge appropriately named Ponte Vecchio? All of these images come immediately to my mind, but so does the crenellated tour of the fortress/palace/civic heart of Florence—Palazzo Vecchio.
The Palazzo Vecchio, a historic building constructed in the late 13th century, serves today as the town hall of the city. It is a prominent symbol of Florence’s civic power and the piazza in front, Piazza della Signoria, is still filled with historic reenactments, civic gatherings, events, and even occasionally protests. You can see politicians going in and out the doors, as well as couples who just got married. It is truly the heart of the city…and has been for centuries.
The palace was originally designed by famed architect Arnolfo di Cambio. It is an imposing edifice and has had a commanding presence over the city for hundreds of years. Crafted from solid, rusticated stonework, the exterior is decorated with Gothic-looking windows, arches, coats of arms, and bas-reliefs. The crown of the palace, the Torre di Arnolfo, stands over 300 feet tall. I’ve climbed its 200+ stairs many times and have always enjoyed the views from the top—where one can really get a sense of how defense of the building occurred. On the way up, you pass cells and other small rooms.
For years, Michelangelo’s statue of David stood out front of the Palazzo Vecchio—today, the statue has been moved in the Accademia (to keep it safe) but a replica still stands there. The piazza and nearby Loggia dei Lanzi boast loads of art to take in. The Piazza della Signoria (named for the ruling body—the Signoria—which once met inside the building) is home to numerous sculptures and the fabulous “Fountain of Neptune” by Bartolomeo Ammannati. Cafes, stores, and restaurants ring the piazza. Adjacent to the Palazzo Vecchio is an open-air gallery called the Loggia dei Lanzi, which holds statues such as Cellini’s “Perseus with the Head of Medusa.”
The outside is certainly impressive and it’s hard to believe more treasures exist inside…but they do. Enter through Michelozzo’s courtyard with its decorative columns and frescoes for a truly beautiful entrance into the building. Along with its governmental offices, the Palazzo Vecchio acts as a museum where visitors can explore its grand halls, climb its tower, view its historical art and artifacts, and get a glimpse into where some of the members of the influential Medici family lived.
History of the Palazzo Vecchio
In 1299, the Florentines decided to build a palace that would represent the strength of their republic. Arnolfo di Cambio, the architect behind the Duomo and Santa Croce, began construction on the ruins of two existing palaces in Piazza della Signoria. Over time it would evolve from a place of republican power to a ducal residence.
The Signoria was the governing body of Florence during the medieval and Renaissance periods. Its members were chosen from the ranks of the city’s guilds and a gonfaloniere acted as the head of the Signoria. The men served as the executive branch of Florence’s government making important political decisions. They oversaw the administration of justice, managed the city’s finances, and maintained order. Florentines prided themselves on this republican government where any citizen might serve, but in reality the same few families continued to exert influence over the Signoria.
When Cosimo I de Medici made the Palazzo della Signoria his residence, the palace transformed and started its naming journey to becoming the “old place” (Palazzo Vecchio literally means old palace). He ordered extensive renovations, giving the building its present appearance and renaming it the Ducal Palace. Later, when the Medici royalty moved across the river to the Palazzo Pitti, this grand structure became known as Palazzo Vecchio. To connect his residences, Cosimo commissioned the famous Vasari Corridor, linking Palazzo Vecchio with Palazzo Pitti via the Uffizi Gallery.
Highlights to See
- Hall of 500 (Salone dei Cinquecento): this grand hall with monumental paintings by Giorgio Vasari (look for “cerca trova” in his Battle of Marciano painting) was designed for public meetings. Certainly look up at the paintings and higher at the ceiling, but also check out the statues lining the room.
- Francesco I’s Studiolo: a hidden gem filled with intricate paintings and once held the duke’s collection
- Medici’s Private Rooms: various rooms offer glimpses into the opulent lifestyle of the Medici family. See how they surrounded themselves with beautiful decorations, furniture, and artworks. Check out Eleanora’s sumptuous chapel and the views of the Tuscan countryside from the terrace. Explore their private rooms and the “Apartment of the Elements.”
- Hall of the Lillies (Sala dei Gigli): named for the giglio (aka fleur-de-lis) decorations, this is my favorite hall featuring impressive frescoes and a fabulous statue of Judith and Holofernes by Donatello
- Art and artifacts: I love all the art, furniture, and decorative objects that fill the palace. A favorite quirky object is “Dante’s Mask,” which is generally located in a hallway connecting two rooms. No matter how many times I’ve been there I always snap a pic–my phone is filled with them (see a version below)
- Hall of Maps: this area displays amazing maps and massive globes from the time of the Renaissance. There is a secret passageway off of this room if tours are permitted.
- Tower of Arnolfo (Torre di Arnolfo): climb the 200+ steps of this tower for a breathtaking view of Florence (and great view of the Duomo).
Accessibility:
The Palazzo Vecchio is generally accessible via wheelchair or mobility scooter, but some rooms were in accessible. There are ramps at the entrance areas and elevators offer access to most of the floors. Some rooms may have limitations but we found the staff very happy to help us see every aspect of the building that we could. The museum course for wheelchair users was clearly noted on signs. Please note there is no elevator to the top of the tower, so that is completely inaccessible.
Ways to See Palazzo Vecchio Today
The Palazzo Vecchio, closely associated with the godfathers of the Renaissance and former rulers of Florence—the Medici, has a rich history and architectural grandeur that make it a must-see destination for anyone visiting Florence. A visit to Palazzo Vecchio is more than just a tour of a historical building but is a journey through the Renaissance and a peak into the lives of Florence’s rulers. When you leave, make sure to refill your water bottle outside the building where you will see a tap for still water (like most water fountains) and one for sparkling! How fancy!
Palazzo Vecchio and Piazza della Signoria 
Dante mask in Palazzo Vecchio 
Hall of 500 
Loggia in Piazza della Signoria 
Vasari painting 
Michelozzo’s Courtyard 
Hall of Maps 
Hall of Lillies 
Hall of Lillies 
Terrace from apartments
Going to Italy? You will love our tour partners at LivTours, Tour Guy, and Viator. Check them out:
LivTours (semi-private/private tours): https://livtours.com?af_code=E1DDN61
TourGuy (small group/private tours): https://shareasale.com/r.cfm?b=1362329&u=4109975&m=89095&urllink=&afftrack=
Viator (small to medium size groups/private): https://www.viator.com/Italy/d57-ttd?sortType=external&pid=P00161535&mcid=42383&medium=link&medium_version=selector
Our incredible partners, such as LivTours, Viator, TripAdvisor, VRBO, World Nomads insurance, and more, make exploring the globe an unforgettable experience. With industry leaders in tours, travel insurance, hotels, vacation rentals, flights, cruises, and trip planning, explore the world with our curated list of affiliate links on our Travel Planning page: https://roaminghistorian.com/travel-planning/
We sell fabulous photographic prints from our travels on our Etsy shop! These are great for home decor or as a gift. If you see a photograph on our website that isn’t in our Etsy shop, let me know and I’ll likely be able to add it to Etsy. Disclosure: Roaming Historian may derive revenue from affiliate links and other sources, which helps offset the costs of bringing you the information we do. The blogs and reviews posted on this website are of our own opinion though
https://share.flipboard.com/bookmarklet/popout?v=%post_title%&url=%post_full_url%&ext=addthis&utm_medium=web&utm_campaign=widgets&utm_source=addthis
Please visit:
Our Sponsor