Pitti Palace
What was once intended to be solely the residence of a noble family is now the largest museum complex in Florence.
Visitors to Palazzo Pitti can admire works by renowned 17th-century European artists, tour the royal apartments, and get a close look at 16th-century costumes.
The imposing building is located on the south bank of the Arno River, not far from the Ponte Vecchio and the Uffizi Gallery. The most important galleries and museums housed here include the Palatine Gallery, the Gallery of Modern Art, the Costume Gallery, the Silver Museum, and the Porcelain Museum. The complex also includes the Boboli Gardens, which enchant visitors with grottoes, sculptures, and a unique view of the city.
A symbol of power that has changed hands many times
Palazzo Pitti was commissioned by the Florentine banker Luca Pitti in the 15th century. According to legend, he wanted to build a residence more sumptuous than that of the Medici, once the most powerful family in Florence. However, when the Pitti family could no longer afford the construction costs in the 16th century, the Medici took over the palace. After their demise, the palace passed to the House of Habsburg-Lorraine in 1737 and was occupied by the kings of the House of Savoy in the 19th century. Finally, in 1919, King Victor Emmanuel III donated the magnificent building to the Italian state.
You can feel the art in every corner
Anyone visiting Palazzo Pitti shouldn’t miss its centerpiece, the Palatine Gallery, which houses over 500 paintings—mostly from the Renaissance—that once belonged to the Medici family’s private collection. On display here are works by famous artists such as Botticelli, Titian, and Rubens. The Gallery of Modern Art also has much to offer, with an impressive collection of 19th- and 20th-century paintings and sculptures.
A wide variety of works to admire
As part of a tour, you can also visit the former Medici apartments, admiring portraits, furniture, and objects that offer a vivid glimpse into the lives of the members of Florence’s most influential family of the time. It’s also worth taking a look at the costume gallery, where the garments and accessories on display take you on a journey through the history of fashion, from the 16th century to the present day. In the Museo degli Argenti, you can admire ivory vases, precious stones, and other jewelry. Palazzo Pitti also houses the Museo della Porcellana, one of Europe’s most important collections of white porcelain.