Palazzo Vecchio: Inside Florence’s Medieval Palace
- Lexi Carson
- Jun 2, 2023
- 4 min read
Palazzo Vecchio is located in the heart of Florence, Italy. The facility is a medieval palace overlooking the city and showcases a replica of Michelangelo’s David statue.
However, Palazzo Vecchio is famous in its own right. The renaissance architecture is beautifully detailed while also rustic and worn, making one feel the centuries of history they’re surrounded with. There’s art inside the palace and outside by some of the most famous artists in the world including Donatello, Michelangelo, Giambologna, Bandinelli and more. A dream for any art history fanatic.
The History
In 1299 to 1314 Florentines built a palace for government organizations of the republic. It was built as a castle with a tower stretching 94 meters. The initial purpose of Palazzo Vecchio was to be the home and workplace of officials of the republic.
There are several rooms within the palace—some are even hidden. With each room having a distinctive style by encompassing statues and sculptures.
At the top of the palace is the tower of Palazzo Vecchio. It was named after architect Arnolfo di Cambio and was built at the beginning of the 14th century. The tower is considered to be a major symbol of the town of Florence. It stretches 95 mt. of height and it takes 233 steps to reach the top and view the city of Florence.
When one reaches the top they’ll see two bell chambers and a big weathervane. The clock still has the same mechanism that is from 1667.
The palace’s name has changed over the years. With its original name as Palazzo della Signoria. It was modified to Palazzo Vecchio when the court Medici moved to Pitti Palace.
The Art
Onto what you’re probably here for—the art. The exterior of the palace includes a copy of Michelangelos’ the David. (Just a tip in case the lines are too long to see the real thing!)
The outdoor viewing is also free to visitors, making it the perfect activity if you want to get a taste of the art before entering the palace.
Another free viewing of the palace is “Michelozzo’s Courtyard.” This courtyard is the foyer of Palazzo Vecchio and it was designed in 1453 by Michelozzo.
Surrounded by columns, the center of Michelozzo’s Courtyard displays the oldest bronze statue of the Putto with Dolphin by Andrea del Verrocchio and is placed on a foundation.
As one enters the first floor of Palazzo Vecchio they will see the Hall of the Five Hundred (Salone dei Cinquecento). It is the largest room in Italy, with its measurements at 54 meters long, 23 meters wide and 18 meters high and is part of the wing of the palace.
The room may sound familiar as it plays a major role in Dan Brown’s mystery, thriller novel Inferno.
A popular attraction to visitors is the “Secret Passages” guided tour. The benefit to this tour with a guide is that you’re shown parts of the museum that are not visible without it.
One of the opportunities is viewing the secret room of Alchemist. You’re also able to hear stories about the Medici family.
Its Current Significance
Rubini Marinaki greets visitors and scans tickets upon arrival. The palace is “very important for the city of Florence” she said. “It’s special for Florence because it has a political significance for a museum that many other museums in this city don’t have.”
The political messages in the palace are very apparent as they can be seen and felt in the art according to Marinaki.
Marinaki has worked at Palazzo Vecchio since 2010. Even though she is not a Florentine herself being from Greece. She decided to stay in Florence while studying abroad in college.
But it also represents the palace itself that embodies the cultural history of the Tuscan region.
“Through the centuries it has always been very important for the political life of Florence. From the 1300s when it was built it was used for the governors of the republic of Florence,” she said.
Before the 1300s hundreds the Palazzo Vecchio was extremely minimalist for decorations inside according to Marinaki.
When touring the palace, Marinaki encourages visitors to look at the last part of the museum which is the mezzanine.
“You will see how it used to be here,” she said. “Because this is the part of the museum that is reserved. It is the most authentic aspect of the building as it used to be in the 1300s.”
A European Community
While the Palazzo Vecchio is a crucial piece of history and culture for Florentines, it is also well loved by foreigners.
People from all over the world visit Florence to see the palace. Julia Rotsch and her partner traveled from Germany to visit the palace.
This was Rotsch’s second time in Italy but first time in Florence. “I came to Italy for a holiday several years ago but didn’t get to see many museums,” she said. “When I planned a trip to come back I knew I couldn’t miss out on visiting this one.”
Rotsch said she believes the palace is important for the history of Florence. She said she was “surprised” by the detail of the paintings at the Palazzo Vecchio and how they tell the story of Florence.
However, Rotsch was not surprised by the political messages in the art. “I’m interested in history and know that Florence wanted to be free so I enjoyed seeing the art and felt the history they encompass,” she said.
Rotsch said the feeling of family shined through the most during her visit at the palace.
“I feel the power of the world family,” she said. “If you see pictures of the Medici family faceless all the time from videos, and history books then you feel the importance and power of one family,” she said.
Rotsch went on to say, “That's what I think is really crazy to see here but also really cool because I do feel a connection to the meaning of family.”
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