Old Palace and Piazza della Signoria

In 1299, the Florentines commissioned the construction of a government building, creating a true cultural landmark for the city.

Even today, Palazzo Vecchio in Piazza della Signoria serves as the city hall and is also a museum.

The palace’s 94-meter-tall tower, with its massive masonry walls topped with battlements and Gothic architectural elements, dominates the cityscape. Throughout its long history, the building served as both a residence and the official seat of the Parliament of the Republic of Florence (1115–1569); its fortified architecture stands as an impressive testament to the buildings of that era. The ground floor has virtually no windows, designed to protect Council members from potential attacks by rival family clans and citizens. Palazzo Vecchio can be visited as part of a guided tour or on your own with the help of an audio guide.

The Palace

The mayor and the city council have been based in the building since 1872, but visitors can still explore the beautifully decorated rooms. The “Sala dei Cinquecento” is a favorite among visitors; measuring 54 meters long, 22 meters wide, and boasting an impressive ceiling height of 17 meters, it holds the title of the largest hall in all of Florence. It is decorated with paintings and frescoes and was once used for meetings of the Grand Council. Other rooms are also open to visitors, including magnificent private chambers, the Medici’s secret passages, an art collection, and the picturesque inner courtyard.

The square

The square where Palazzo Vecchio stands is the most important in the city and one of the most famous in Italy. Piazza della Signoria is located between Piazza del Duomo and the Arno River, and, together with Palazzo Vecchio, served as the political and social center during the Florentine Republic. Visitors today not only immerse themselves in the historical atmosphere of the era but can also enjoy various monuments, most notably a replica of Michelangelo’s world-famous “David.” Visitors are also impressed by the marble Fountain of Neptune and the Loggia dei Lanzi with its numerous statues depicting scenes from ancient myths.