Palazzo Vecchio Florence
Piazza della Signoria - Roman Florence

Piazza della Signoria has pride of place as the historical, political, and emotional heart of Florence. The most prominent feature of the piazza is the Palazzo della Signoria or Palazzo Vecchio, Florence's town hall (still the seat of the local government, it is a working building housing many offices that Florentines use on a daily basis, as well as the mayor's office). Built on the site of a first-century Roman theatre (the ruins of which can now be visited), the first phase of the Palazzo was constructed from 1298 to 1302 by Arnolfo di Cambio, although it was enlarged several times thereafter. Its distinctive tower was added in 1310. The internal courtyard, updated by Michelozzo and decorated by Vasari (and known as the Cortile di Michelozzo), is open to the public free of charge; the Palazzo Museum itself has an admission charge.

If you are facing the Palazzo to the right is an impressive arcaded loggia built between 1376 and 1382 by Benci di Cione and Simone Talenti. It was originally called the Loggia dei Priori since it provided shelter for outdoor ceremonies marking the change of the priori, or city rulers, which took place here every two months. To this day the loggia provides free, covered seating for tired tourists amongst its treasures of Renaissance and Ancient art. It is now better known as the Loggia dei Lanzi after the Lanzichenecchi, German mercenaries who stood guard over the palace. In addition to some heavily restored Roman statues, the loggia is home to Benvenuto Cellini's 1545 bronze Perseus, a tour de force of bronze casting, and Giambologna's spiraling Mannerist Rape of a Sabine of 1583. The Rape of Polyxena by Pio Fedi and Giambologna's Hercules and the Centaur can also be found in the loggia.
florence firenze italy italia palazzovecchio