Overview of Palazzo Vecchio
Some Interesting Facts About Palazzo Vecchio
- Palazzo Vecchio used to have other names as well, including the Palazzo Della Signoria, or the Signoria of Florence between 1250 and 1532, as well as the Palazzo del Popolo, Palazzo dei Priori and the Palazzo Ducale
- The palace was also the site of the theatre of the Roman colony of Florentia, which was built in the first century AD
- Palazzo Vecchio has, in the past, served as the residence of the Medici Family
- When availing of the Palazzo Vecchio Museum entrance ticket, you can see a tunnel or the Vasari Corridor, which connected the duke’s old Pitti Palace to the new Palazzo Vecchio across a river
- Palazzo Vecchio is considered to be amongst the most iconic structures in Florence, has a Florentine Gothic design, and was constructed by the famous architect Arnolfo di Cambio
- The tower of the palace has two cells, which were once inhabited by infamous prisoners, namely Cosimo de’ Medici and Girolamo Savonarola
- The original clock tower of Palazzo Vecchio dates back to the year 1353 and was replaced in the 17th century, in the year 1667
- Michelangelo’s famous work of art, the sculpture of David, was placed in front of the palace’s entrance door from 1504 to 1883, and a replica of the statue replaced the original one
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Learn About Palazzo Vecchio
The architecture of this monument is one of the most attractive features that you can see with your Palazzo Vecchio Tickets. Known as one of the best works of the 14th-century Italian civic style of architecture, the palace was designed by Italian architect Arnolfo di Cambio. The palace has a cubical structure and is made out of solid stonework. You can also find two rows of Gothic windows with arches here, in addition to ashlar walls. After being redesigned in the 15th century, the palace features a series of nine painted coats of arms, with numerous paintings, frescoes and sculptures decorating its exteriors. It is also famous for its clock tower, which is more than 100 feet in height and has a large clock face.
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With your Palazzo Vecchio Tickets, you can learn a lot about the history of this palace, which sits right in the heart of the city of Florence. The palace was formally built in 1299, after the destruction of the original Palazzo dei Fanti and Palazzo dell’Esecutore di Giustizia. It was built to represent the city, by Arnolfo di Cambio, who is known to have designed and built the Duomo and Santa Croce Church as well. The construction of Palazzo Vecchio began on the existing foundations of the ruined palaces, and upon completion, this palace served as the town hall of Florence for a long time. It was in the 16th century when the palace was renovated and thereby became the home of the Medici family. As of today, the palace is home to a public museum.
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Explore Palazzo Vecchio
With your Palazzo Vecchio Tickets, explore the courtyards of the palace, which were first built in the 14th century and were later modified in the 15th century. The walls of the courtyard pay homage to the Joan of Austria and depict images of the major cities belonging to the Habsburg or Austrian empire, including the cities of Prague, Vienna, Linz, Innsbruck and Stein, to name a few. There is a fountain at the centre of the courtyard, which also has a replica of the famous Putto with Dolphin.
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Salone dei Cinquecento is known as one of the largest halls in all of Italy and is a chamber that displays the power as well as the wealth of the Medici family. The chamber was built in the year 1494 by architect Simone del Pollaiolo and is located on the first floor of the palace. In addition to a ceiling with minute carvings and details, the chamber also has 39 panels which are embedded with the paintings that depict the life of the Medici family as well as the many victories of the city. You can also find Michelangelo’s famous Genius of Victory statue in this chamber.
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The Palazzo Vecchio Tickets also let you explore the Studiolo of Francesco I, which is a small barrel-vaulted room located right next to the chamber. Also known as the little studio, it is here where you can see many paintings and other works of art related to mythological and religious subjects. The studio was commissioned by Franceso l de Medici and served as the room where he not only studied alchemy but also stored his rare findings of bones, stones, forged metals and other things.
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Also known as Guardaroba, the Hall of Geographical Maps inside Palazzo Vecchio was a project of Giorgio Vasari, where he displayed Cosimo’s expanding collection of cartography murals and other artefacts, all of which were made using scientific instruments of his time. While the room remains incomplete in construction, it still offers amazing insights into the people of the Renaissance eras and their understanding of things like astronomy and geography, among other things.
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You can also use your Palazzo Vecchio Tickets to explore the private rooms of Medici in the palace. Located on the second floor of the palace, these rooms are quite huge and ornate, and even include smaller apartments, chambers as well as a private chapel. The two major private rooms are the Apartments of the Elements, which have walls filled with frescoes related to natural elements like water, fire and earth, in addition to mythological paintings. The other room is the Apartments of Eleonora of Toledo, which was the living space of Eleanora, Cosimo’s wife, and has a private chapel.
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Plan Your Visit to Palazzo Vecchio
- Palazzo Vecchio is located at:P.za della Signoria, 50122 Firenze FI, Italy
- The timings of Palazzo Vecchio are:From October to March: 09:00 a.m. to 02:00 p.m. (Thursday); 09:00 a.m. to 07:00 p.m. (Friday to Wednesday)From April to September: 09:00 a.m. to 02:00 p.m. (Thursday); 09:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. (Friday to Wednesday)
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- By Bus:You can avail yourself of a bus ride to the Piazza Della Signoria, which is located just a minute away from the palace. Buses on route numbers C1, C2 and D stop at the location.
- By Subway:You can also take a subway and get off at the Unita station, which is the nearest subway stop to Palazzo Vecchio and is located a 15-minute walk away from it.
- By Car:When driving to Palazzo Vecchio, you can simply enter P. za Della Signoria, 50122 Firenze Fl, Italy with the GPS app and follow the directions to get to the palace.
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It is always best to book your Palazzo Vecchio Tickets online to skip the long entry queues and save some time and energy during your visitIt is advised to avoid visiting the palace during the weekends since it remains extremely crowded on those daysTo save yourself from distractions, and in order to avoid distracting other visitors, it is recommended to keep your phone on silent mode before entering Palazzo VecchioIt is also good to get the audio guide along with your tickets so that you can learn about the different things here and enrich your experience as well.
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FAQ's for Palazzo Vecchio
When was Palazzo Vecchio built?
Palazzo Vecchio was built in the year 1299, during the 13th century. It is one of the oldest and one of the most popular architectural marvels in the world.
Where is the Palazzo Vecchio?
Palazzo Vecchio is located in the centre of the Italian city of Florence, just a short walk away from the Piazza del Signoria. Address: P.za della Signoria, 50122 Firenze FI, Italy
What are Palazzo Vecchio's opening hours?
Palazzo Vecchio remains open between 09:00 a.m. to 02:00 p.m. on Thursdays and between 09:00 a.m. to 07:00 p.m. during the rest of the week. It is recommended to plan your schedule accordingly.
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What is the best time to visit Palazzo Vecchio?
The best time to visit Palazzo Vecchio is just when it opens for the day, at around 09:00 a.m. This is when you can explore the palace and museums at your own pace and in comfort since there are lesser crowds here during this time.
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How do I get to Palazzo Vecchio?
You can avail yourself of a bus ride, or a ride on the subway as well as drive your vehicle or rent a taxi cab to get to Palazzo Vecchio.
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