Piazza della Signoria

Discussion of Cellini's Perseus

2013-03-22T14:35:14Z

This is a discussion (with a couple of still photos) of Cellini's Perseus. I am not sure I agree with all of the scholarship here and I am not quite sure who is actually doing the talking, but near the end the point made about the Perseus basically turning the David and Hercules sculptures to "stone" is pretty interesting:

Arnolfo di Cambio's Tower of Palazzo Vecchio

2012-09-01T04:02:14Z

The tower of Palazzo Vecchio is currently open to the public until September 30th, 2012.

The tower, topping out at 95 meters over Florence from the top of Palazzo Vecchio, opened to the public for the first time on the 24th of June for the celebration of Florence's patron saint, St. John the baptist. One of the most famous images of Florence is seen above in the poster announcing this special opening - the self timed shot of the legendary Florentine Photographer Alinari mounting the final steps.

Attributed to Arnolfo di Cambio, the tower completed the first core structure of the building, which was constructed between the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries. Up to this time it had been closed to the general public. Starting Monday the 25th, the hours will be 9 a.m until 9 p.m. (Thursday 9 to 2 p.m), and the cost of entry if €6.50 , €10 if combined with the ticket for the museum of Palazzo Vecchio.

Da Vinci's "Battle of Anghiari" search begins

2011-12-01T01:27:25Z

News out tonight from the Mayor's office - covered by and translated on Florence Journal:

HAS DA VINCI'S "BATTLE OF ANGHIARI" FINALLY BEEN FOUND?

I will scream if they find it - and line up to see it. Even with all the treasures in Florence, if this painting is really there and restorable I think it would join the David as the must thing to see in Florence, which is hard to imagine.

David by Michelangelo

2011-11-15T22:10:02Z

Perhaps the most iconic and famous statue in the world, the David by Michelangelo Buonarroti was brought from the artist's studio to Piazza Signoria in 1504. The sculpture now in place is a replica however, with the original on display in the somewhat cramped confines of the Accademia Gallery since around 1873. More photos and text to come.

Fountain of Neptune by Bartolomeo Ammannati

2011-11-15T22:08:50Z

Description and photos coming soon!

Gucci Museum Opening

2011-11-15T10:17:56Z

Here is an article about the opening of the Gucci Museum in Piazza Signoria.

Page of postcard images of Piazza Signoria

2011-11-15T02:04:24Z

This is a neat reference - the images are heavily watermarked but they offer some different historical views.

Cortile (courtyard) of Michelozzo, Palazzo Vecchio

2011-11-12T18:21:53Z

Florence Travel Guides

2011-11-10T20:56:34Z

Buying books, audio books or guides, and travel maps for Florence from Amazon.com helps support us:

Palazzo Uguccioni

2011-11-09T16:19:36Z

The palace was built over pre-existing structures for Giovanni Uguccioni by Mariotto di Zanobi Folfi starting in 1549 to a design possibly by (depending on what scholarship you believe) Raphael, Michelangelo, Andrea Palladio, or Bartolomeo Ammannati. No conclusive proofs exists as to the architect (and if it was one of the aforementioned you would have to believe it would have been) but the original drawing is documented to have come from Rome, and that the style was reminiscent of Raphael's or Bramante's, which were a novelty in Florence at the time. It is the only building in Florence with columns on its fa�ade.

Below is an illustration and passage from a book about Florentine Palaces written in 1905:

The lower floors have three arcades with rustication in pietraforte, the material used for the whole fa�ade. The upper floors have two orders of Ionic (first floor) and Corithian (second floor) columns. The latter's pedestals have sculpted coat of arms of the family. Above the entrance is a bust of Francesco I de' Medici, perhaps executed by Giambologna (this has been temporarily removed for restoration and as of this writing was still not back in place). You can see a small Ram's head above the door, which is part of the support for the bust.

The Palazzo currently is home to private residences and the Palazzo Uguccioni Luxury Suites, vacation apartments for tourists.

Loggia dei Lanzi

2011-11-08T23:36:14Z

The Loggia dei Lanzi, also called the Loggia della Signoria, is an open arcaded loggia in the southeast corner of the Piazza della Signoria adjoining the west wing of the Uffizi Gallery. It consists of three wide arches open to the Piazza Signoria, and one arch opened to the Piazza degli Uffizi. The arches rest on clustered pilasters with Corinthian capitals.

The name comes from the reign of Grand Duke Cosimo I, when it was used to house his formidable landsknechts (In Italian: "Lanzichenecchi", corrupted to Lanzi), or German mercenary pikeman (although by some accounts the guards were Swiss). After the construction of the Uffizi at the rear of the Loggia, the Loggia's roof was modified by Bernardo Buontalenti and became a terrace from which the Medici could watch ceremonies in the piazza.

On the fa�ade of the Loggia, below the parapet, are trefoils with allegorical figures of the four cardinal virtues (Fortitude, Temperance, Justice and Prudence) by Agnolo Gaddi. Their blue enamelled background is the work of Leonardo, a monk, while the golden stars were painted by Lorenzo de' Bicci. The vault, composed of semicircles, was done by the Florentine Antonio de' Pucci. On the steps of the Loggia are the Medici Lions - two marble statues of lions that are both a long standing symbol of Florence as well as Medici power. One is from Roman antiquity and the other was sculpted by Flaminio Vacca in 1598. Can you tell which one is which?

Inside the Loggia on the west wall there is a Latin inscription from 1750 commemorating the change of the Florentine calendar in 1749 to bring it into line with the Roman calendar. The Florentine calendar historically began on March 25th, instead of January 1st.

For more on the individual sculptures inside the loggia see Sculptures of Piazza Signoria

Judith and Holofernes by Donatello

2011-11-06T16:03:50Z

A bronze Judith & Holofernes by Donatello. The original sculpture is inside the Palazzo Vecchio Museum (and is much more arresting - see the last two photos) - but you can see the replica in the first images below outside the Palazzo Vecchio. The text panel (also from inside the museum) has a good history of the sculpture, which was originally in the Medici Palace on via Cavour until it was taken by rampaging Florentines when they turned the Medici out of Florence. It was brought to the Piazza in 1495 and placed in various locations including the Loggia dei Lanzi over the centuries until ending up in this spot.

Museo dei Ragazzi

2011-11-06T12:34:18Z

Official site: Museo dei Ragazzi

Excavations of the Roman Theater of Florence

2011-11-06T11:54:42Z

Under the Palazzo Vecchio lie the ruins of the Roman Theater of Florentia, as well as many other ancient layers of the city. Since the end of the most recent excavations in 2010, it is now possible to visit the site. Tours are given in Italian only, and you must have a reservation prior to your visit.

Reservations can be made by phone or in person at the ticket desk of the Palazzo Vecchio museum. Only small groups (maximum of 20 people) are permitted and the entry is timed so if this is something you want to do it is best to call in advance, perhaps weeks in most seasons.

Visting the excavations:

Saturday and Sunday only, timed entrance with compulsory guide. Children under 8 years old not permitted for safety. The ticket is €8 and includes the Palazzo Vecchio museum.

For more information and reservations:

Tel +39 055 276 8224 / 8558, every day from 9:30am to 5:00pm

Official site (Italian only): Gli scavi del teatro romano di Firenze

Additional information: ArcheoFirenze

Links, websites, and blogs

2011-11-06T11:52:53Z

The following links should help you find more information on Piazza Signoria, the surrounding area, and provide help and information on planning a trip to Florence.

Official page for Piazza della Signoria from the Comune of Florence