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Palazzo Vecchio And Piazza della Signoria

Fountain Sculptures and Palace Towers

The Old Palace of Florence, also known as Palazzo Vecchio, was the residence of the Medici family in the 16th century, with the Hall of the Five Hundred and a 94-meter-high bell tower. Outside the Old Palace is the famous Piazza della Signoria, with the Loggia dei Lanzi, the Neptune Fountain, and the Equestrian Monument of Cosimo I near it.

In addition to the world-famous Florence Cathedral, there is another place in Florence that can’t be missed, the Piazza della Signoria, located in the heart of the city.

Piazza della Signoria (Square of Lordship), founded in the 13th century, is Florence’s most famous town square. Near the square, there are not only landmarks such as the Old Palace (Palazzo Vecchio) and the Loggia dei Lanzi, but also restaurants, cafes and luxury shops.

The square-shaped Old Palace, also known as Palazzo Vecchio, is the most striking symbol of Piazza della Signoria, with Michelangelo's David and “Hercules and Cacus” sculpted by Baccio Bandinelli in front of it. In the 16th century, the Palazzo Vecchio served as the Medici Family's Residence until they moved to the Pitti Palace (Palazzo Pitti) across the Arno River. The Old Palace has several atriums, a 50-meter-long Hall of the Five Hundred (Salone dei Cinquecento) and a 94-meter-high bell tower. It is currently used as the Florence Town Hall.

Manywhere Trivia:
The Medicis started out in finance and amassed a large fortune in a short time, with family members as Queen of France and three popes.

The Loggia dei Lanzi on the south side of the square, built in the 14th century, was originally a stage for gatherings and events in Florence. There are more than ten sculptures inside the loggia, including Perseus with the Head of Medusa and Rape of the Sabine Women, making it an open-air sculpture gallery.

Loggia dei Lanzi

Open Air Sculpture Museum

The Loggia dei Lanzi is located on the south side of the Piazza della Signoria in Florence and was built in the 14th century as an assembly stage. There are three arches on the front of the building, and inside there are more than ten sculptures, including "Perseus with the Head of Medusa" and "The Rape of the Sabine Women", making it an open-air sculpture gallery.

Also in the center of the Piazza della Signoria are Neptune Fountain and Equestrian Monument of Cosimo I, both of which are symbols of the Medici family’s power.