Florence monuments

Visit Florence monuments : Palazzo Vecchio and Piazza della Signoria, Boboli gardens, Piazzale Michelangelo.

PALAZZO VECCHIO AND PIAZZA DELLA SIGNORIA
This is the most important civil building in the city; construction, to plans by Arnolfo di Cambio, was begun in 1299. It was the seat of the Priori delle Arti, of the Signoria and the ducal residence; over the centuries it was remodelled several times. The 14th century courtyard, graced with the fountain with the "putto", a copy of Verrocchio's original, was later modified by Michelozzo. Inside, it is worth seeing the Salone dei Cinquecento, the study of Francesco I, the room of the Elements and the Sala dei Gigli.
The Loggia della Signoria or "dei Lanzi" overlooks the square; here there are several important statues including "Perseus" by Cellini and the "Rape of the Sabine Women" by Giambologna.

PALAZZO VECCHIO AND PIAZZA DELLA SIGNORIA
Signoria Palace - Phone +39 055 2768465
Working day: from 9 to 19 - thuerday from 9 to 14
Holiday: from 9 to 19


PITTI PALACE AND THE BOBOLI GARDENS
This palace was commissioned by Luca Pitti in 1448. The original plans, attributed to Brunelleschi, called for a much smaller building than the one we see now: it was enlarged in 1549 when ownership passed to the Medici family. The beautiful courtyard by Ammannati dates from that period. The Pitti Palace was enlarged and modified many times over the centuries: it was the seat of the Lorraine dynasty and, when Florence was capital of Italy, of the Court of Savoia. Today it houses several museums and galleries the most important of which is the Palatine Gallery, containing the private collections of the Grand Dukes, with masterpieces dating from the 15th to 17th centuries, including paintings by Titian, Giorgione, Raphael, and Rubens. The other museums are the Gallery of Modern Art, the Silver Museum, the Costume Gallery, the Carriage Museum, the Porcelain Museum, the Royal Apartments and the Apartment of the Duchess of Aosta.
One of the most beautiful Italian gardens extends on the Boboli hill between the Pitti Palace and Forte Belvedere. It was designed by Tribolo in 1549 and then enhanced by Ammannati and Buontalenti. The 16th century fortress, Forte Belvedere, dominates the gardens and the entire city; it was designed by Buontalenti for the Grand Duke Ferdinando I.
Palatina Gallery
Piazza Pitti - Phone +39 055 2388614
Working day: from 8.15 to 18.50
Holiday: from 8.15 to 18.50

Gallery of modern arts
Piazza Pitti - Phone +39 055 2388616
Working day: from 8.15 to 13.50
Holiday: from 8.15 to 13.50 (1)

China museum
Boboli parks- Phone +39 055 2388709
Working day: January February November December 8.15-16.30 Marzo 8.15-17.30 April May September October 8.15-18.30 June July August 8.15-19.30
Holiday: January February November December 8.15-16.30 Marzo 8.15-17.30 April May September October 8.15-18.30 June July August 8.15-19.30

PIAZZALE MICHELANGELO AND SAN MINIATO AL MONTE
Piazzale Michelangelo was built in 1869 to plans by Giuseppe Poggi; it offers a splendid panorama of the city. In the middle of this plaza stand bronze copies of Michelangelo's "David" and the four statues on the tombs in the Medici Chapels.
Just above Piazzale Michelangelo is the basilica of San Miniato al Monte. Its green and white marble façade is considered one of the finest examples of the Florentine Romanesque style. Built between the 11th and 13th centuries, it contains fine artworks such as the chapel of the "Crucifixion" by Michelozzo and the chapel of the Cardinal of Portugal both decorated by Luca della Robbia and the splendid frescoes by Spinello Aretino, depicting "Scenes from the Life of St. Benedict".

Saint Miniato Church
Via Monte to Croci - Phone +39 055 2342731
Working day: Summer from 8 to 19.30 - Winter from 8 to 12 and from 15 to 18
Holiday: Summer from to 19.30 - Winter from 15 to 18

BRANCACCI CHAPEL
This chapel is famous throughout the world for its frescoes by Masaccio, a masterpiece of Renaissance painting; it is located in the 13th century church of Santa Maria del Carmine. Masolino was commissioned to do the frescoes and he began work in 1424 with the help of Masaccio. When Masaccio left Florence, the frescoes were completed after 1480 by Filippino Lippi.
BRANCACCI CHAPEL
Piazza del Carmine - Phone +39 055 2382195
Working day: from 10 to 17
Holiday: from 13 to 17

CENACLE OF GHIRLANDAIO
The former refectory of the monastery adjacent to the Church of Ognissanti is graced by Domenico Ghirlandaio's painting of the "Last Supper", of which even the synopia is visible.

CLOISTER DELLO SCALZO AND CENACLE OF SANT'APOLLONIA
The Cloister "Dello Scalzo" is located in Via Cavour; it contains monochrome frescoes by Andrea del Sarto portraying "Scenes from the Life of St. John the Baptist" and two "Allegories of Virtue". The entrance to the cenacle of Sant'Apollonia is on Via XXVII Aprile; on the back wall there is a "Last Supper" by Andrea del Castagno.

PALAZZO RUCELLAI
Bernardo Rossellino built this palazzo for Giovanni Rucellai to designs by Leon Battista Alberti between 1446 and 1458. The loggia is also attributed to Alberti.

PALAZZO STROZZI
Filippo Strozzi the Elder commissioned Benedetto da Maiano to build this palace. He began working in 1489 and was replaced by Cronaca who built the cornice and courtyard. Palazzo Strozzi is one of the finest expressions of Renaissance architecture.

PALAZZO MEDICI RICCARDI
This is the most typical example of privately commissioned Renaissance architecture. Cosimo the Elder commissioned Michelozzo to design a palace in 1444. Inside there is an elegant courtyard, a small Italian garden and the famous chapel with Benozzo Gozzoli's fresco the "Procession of the Magi" (1459).

Via Cavour 3 - Phone +39 055 2760340
Working day: from 9 to 19
Holiday: from 9 to 19

CASA BUONARROTI
This building was constructed by Michelangelo's great-grandson, and since then many descendants of the family have brought together works by the great master, such as drawings, portraits, and early pieces. The purpose of Casa Buonarroti is to collect and enhance Michelangelo's art and among other items it contains the "Battle of the Centaurs" and the "Madonna of the Stairs".

CASA BUONARROTI
Via Ghibellina 70 - Phone +39 055 241752
Working day: from 9.30 to 14
Holiday: from 9.30 to 1