Palazzo Vecchio

Set in Piazza della Signoria in the historical center of Florence, the Gothic Palazzo Vecchio is one of the most admired municipal buildings in all of Tuscany. Once called Palazzo Signoria, as like the piazza it sits in, Palazzo Vecchio has also been called by other names throughout the times including Palazzo del Popolo (People's palace), Palazzo dei Priori ( Priors Palace), and Palazzo Ducale (Ducal Palace). Its role, however, has always been that of a government building serving as a seat for numerous leaders. The plan of Palazzo Vecchio was designed in 1299 by Arnolfo di Cambio, noted Florentine architect and sculptor and designer of the famous Florence Dome, but carried out and finished by other architects and artists after his death in 1310. It was originally built on the ruins of two other palaces found in the piazza, Palazzo dei Fanti and Palazzo dell'Esecutore di Giustizia owned by the Florentine Uberti family. An ancient bell tower that existed as well, was built into the facade of Arnolfo's plan and accordingly named Torre d'Arnolfo after the architect himself. After its beginning, Palazzo Vecchio also saw its share of major renovations throughout the years the first being in 1440 under Cosimo I of the Medici's adding renaissance decorations to one of the halls and the first courtyard designed by Michelozzo. During the Republic era under the Savonarola, the Hall of Five Hundred was put in. When Cosimo I decided to take up residence here between 1540 and 1550, he had the artist Giorgio Vasari enlarge the palace almost doubling it in size with the new addition in the back. When Cosimo moved to the grander Pitti Palace, he officially changed the name to Palazzo Vecchio (meaning old palace). The palace also includes an over hanging walkway which leads to the Uffizi, going over Ponte Vecchio and to Pitti Palace. Later, when Florence had become the capital of the kingdom of Italy, Palazzo Vecchio regained importance. Today it remains a symbol of local government and still houses the office of the mayor and the City Council.

Much of the building today is a museum which can be visited by the public. A replica of Michelangelo's David stands outside the entrance. The original was moved to the Academia Gallery in the late 1800's. Next to the David find the statue of Hercules and Cacus done by Baccio Bandinelli. The first floor is composed of 3 courtyards, with the monumental stairs among them done by Vasari to sustain the second floor. The most imposing chamber in Palazzo Vecchio is the Salone dei Cinquecento, decorated with exquisite frescoes depicting battles of Florence over Siena and Pisa and ceilings painted by Vasari and his pupils. The studiolo is also found on the first floor along with the "Quartieri monumentali" (monumental quarters) These rooms are used by the mayor and his staff and are not accessible to the public. The second floor contains the Apartments of the Elements, Terrace of Saturn, The Hercules Room, the room of Jupiter, the Room of Cybele, The Ceres Room, the Sala Verde (green room) called so because of the color of the walls, the Room of the Sabines, called so because of the ceiling decoration, the Dining Room, the Room of Penelope, the Private Chambers of Eleanor, the Sala dell'Udienza (Audience chamber), the Chapel of the Signoria, dedicated to Saint Bernard, the Sala dell'Orologio, the Stanza del Guardarobe known as the Hall of Wardrobe and Geographical maps where the Grand Dukes kept their precious belongings and the walls are decorated with maps of esteemed value and scientific interest, the Old Chancellery, and the Study used by Cellini for restoration work on the treasures of the Medici princes.