Piazza della Signoria in context

From Piazza del Duomo, cross Via dei Calzaiuoli, and you arrive at the beautiful Piazza della Signoria. Other places of interests in the vicinity of the Piazza are: Loggia della Signoria, Palazzo Vecchio, Palazzo degli Uffizi and Galleria degli Uffizi.

For many centuries Piazza della Signoria has been the centre of political life in Florence and the theatre for key historical events from medieval times to almost the present day. So much so that, whenever Florence entered one of its innumerable political crises, the people would be called here as a 'parlamento' (people's plebiscite) to rubber-stamp decisions.

Falò delle Vanità (Bonfire of the Vanities)

The Piazza della Signoria is also the site of the "Bonfire of the Vanities" where, on 7 February 1497 (Mardi Gras festival) Girolamo Savonarola, a Dominican priest and ardent political reformer set light to thousands of objects he considered immoral, including art, books and objects that might tempt one to sin, such as mirrors, cosmetics, even musical instruments. A year later, on 23 May 1498, in the same spot, the Dominican monk was hung in chains and burnt as a heretic along with two other supporters. A bronze plaque embedded in the ground in front of Ammannati's "Fontana del Nettuno" marks the spot where both fires burnt.

Fontana del Nettuno

(Flickr: Neptunus by Hellios)

Fontana del Nettuno (Neptune's Fountain)

On the left-hand side of the Palazzo Vecchio is the famous 'Fontana del Nettuno', the work of Bartolomeo Ammanati who, together with Giambologna, worked on it from 1560 to 1575.

Made up of a series of bronze statues depicting elegant sea gods and satyrs, in the centre of which is a colossal marble statue of Neptune, which is an unfortunate attempt to imitate Michelangelo dell'Ammannati.

The Florentines jokingly nicknamed it "Biancone" (large piece of white marble) and declared to the sculptor the ironic epigram: "Ammannato Ammannato che bel marmo hai rovinato!" (Ammannato Ammannato what beautiful marble you've ruined!) 

Palazzo Vecchio

Palazzo Vecchio

The "Palazzo della Signoria" (also known as "Palazzo Vecchio)", was built betweeen 1298 and 1314, and is said to be the work of Arnolfo di Cambio.

The "Palazzo Vecchio" was the old residence of the Medici family until Cosimo I transferred the seat of government to the "Palazzo Pitti" (1536).

It was also the seat of the provisional Italian government from 1848-49, 1859-60, 1865-71. It is today the Council building.

On the first floor, across from a large staircase is the amazing "Salone dei Cinquecento" (53m long, 22m wide and 18m high): it is among the largest public palace rooms. The architecture is the work of Cronaca (1495), and was constructed because it was here that the "Consiglio Generale del Popolo" (People's General Council) was instituted in 1494.

Salone dei Cinquecento

Among the particularly interesting sculptures in the room is Michelangiolo's "La Vittoria" (the Victory), and the six statues representing "Fatiche di Ercole" (Efforts of Hercules), works by Vincenzo de Rossi.

Michelangiolo: La Vittoria (The Victory)

Vincenzo de Rossi: Ercole e Diomede (Hercules and Diomedes)

Loggia  della Signoria

Behind the Piazza and in the background are the round large arches or the 'Loggia della Signoria' ,

constructed by Bondi di Cione and Simone Talenti, between 1376 and 1382. Most interesting is the architecture incorporating the gothic period and the new renaissance spirituality; it is also important for its sculptures, including:

"Perseo" (Perseus): work in bronze by Benevenuto Cellini - 1553 (left arch)

Benevenuto Cellini: Perseo (Perseus - 1553 - work in bronze)

Giambologna: Ratto delle Sabine (Rape of the Sabine - 1559)

Palazzo degli Uffizzi

On the instigation of Cosimo I de' Medici, Palazzo degli Uffizi (1560-1570) represents the largest and most beautiful work by Vasari. It is characterised by two long porches leading to a large arch and overlooking the Arno River.

Added in the XIX century, (in the niches between the large pillars alternating with pairs of columns) is a series of statues by a group of illustrious tuscan artists.

Galleria Degli Uffizzi

This is the largest and most famous art gallery in Italy, and in the world, housing the major Italian and foreign masterpieces and art treasures. The main entrance is at the start of the left portico. The famous "Corridoio Vasariano" joins the Uffizi to "Palazzo Vecchio" crosses the Arno River above "Ponte Vecchio", and is connected to the "Palazzo Pitti" (Galleria Palatina) and "Giardini di Boboli".

Ground Floor

In the main entrance are busts and tapestries representing the Medici and Lorena families.

The vestibule contains remains of ancient columns belonging to San Pietro Scheraggio (romanesque church consecrated in 1068) built in the area, now partly occupied by the Palazzo degli Uffizi.

Across from the 126-stair "Scalone del Vasari" (Grand Vasari staircase) you reach the first floor (lift access available). 

Second Floor

The "Gabinetto dei Disegni e delle Stampe" (Prints and Drawings Department) comprises one of the most important collections in the world. The collection was initiated during the XVII century by Cardinal Leopold Medici and continuously expanded. It contains a rich collection of drawings from major Italian and foreign artists.

Third Floor

From the beginning the Medici set aside the third floor to house the finest works from their collection. Two centuries later, thanks to the generosity of the last heir of the family, Anna Maria Luisa, their collection became permanent public property.

The art gallery now comprises the rooms on the third floor of the building, that display in chronological order paintings from the XIII to the XVIII centuries and where the majority of the Italian Renaissance masterpieces are displayed. Several sections are devoted to the works of foreign artistis (German, Flemish, Dutch and French).

Here is a sample of the masterpieces in the Galleria degli Uffizi.

Botticelli: La Primavera

Raffaello: Madonna del Cardellino

Michelangiolo: Sacra Famiglia (Sacred Family)

Tiziano: Flora

Caravaggio: Young Bacchus

Tickets

Because of its reputation and oustanding collection, entrance to the Uffizi is a long process: queues can be seen outside from early in the morning, well before it's opening time. (Tues-Sun: 8.15am-6.50pm - closed on Mondays, 1 May, Christmas and New Year's Day)

For convenience, tickets can be pre-purchased, thus avoiding the long queues. For a fee of €4 per ticket, you can reserve your ticket up to one day in advance. Call Firenze Musei (Florence Museums: 055 238 86 51; or www.firenzemusei.it. You will be allocated a date and time to visit, and a booking number, which you need to quote when you arrive (separate entrance for pre-booked ticketholders) to pay for your ticket.

Some useful information

Because of the sheer size and number of works on display, don't dream of doing it all in the one visit.

Preselect which artists and period of art interests you most and focus on these.

Should you have the mental stamina to spend the day here, visit the rooftop cafè and admire the fabulous views.