Palazzo Vecchio

In 1299, guilds and residents of Florence collectively decided to build a majestic palace that was to become the city's town hall. To work on the large-scale project, Arnolfo di Cambio was invited, who began to erect the palazzo on the site of several palaces of the Uberti family, demolished in 1295. Di Cambio designed the building with a tall crenellated tower, which was named "Arnolfo's Tower" and reached a height of 94 meters. It housed two small prison cells, in which Cosimo de' Medici the Elder, Girolamo Savonarola, and others were later imprisoned. Immediately after the completion of the construction, the palazzo was called "New Palace", and then - "Palazzo della Signoria". In the 16th century, the town hall was renamed Palazzo Ducale, as the building became the residence of Duke Cosimo de' Medici. In the same period, the structure was reconstructed and acquired features of Renaissance architecture. Only decades later was the town hall called Palazzo Vecchio – "Old Palace", and the building became a repository of the Medici family jewels and ceremonial costumes. In 1871, Palazzo Vecchio was returned to its original function, and the building became the residence of Florence's city administration. At the beginning of the 20th century, the city's mayor's office moved to another building, and the medieval palazzo became an art museum.

The Palazzo Vecchio is a stern, monumental building. Red brick was used for the construction of the palace. The majestic building was originally intended for administrative purposes, hence there is not even a hint of sophistication in its architecture.

The palace consists of three floors. The first one was designed for defense, therefore it was made without decorations. The walls of the lower part have a smooth surface. The few openings are of a narrow shape. The second-floor windows are wider. They have several sashes. The window arches are shaped like a curved reed.

At the top of the building, one can see a crenellated vault. Inside the arch supports, there are 9 coats of arms, symbols of the ruling Florentine guilds. The vaults were used not only as decoration; their main purpose was defensive functions. A few years after the construction was completed, the main entrance of the palace was transformed. Blue lion statues were placed on both sides of it. Thanks to them, the entrance acquired the name "Lion's Gate". A plaque with a Latin inscription: "King of kings, lord of lords" is affixed in the center. Near the entrance and at the corners of the building, elegant statues of mythical heroes are installed.

The architectural complex of the Palazzo Vecchio includes the Arnolfo clock tower, which is the main decoration of the palace. It reaches a height of 94 meters. A magnificent panorama opens from the observation deck located at the top of the tower. In 1677, a city clock made by master Lederle, which still shows the exact time today, was installed on the tower.

Upon entering the main gates, one can immediately find oneself in the inner courtyard of the palace. The courtyard in the early Renaissance style was designed by the architect Michelozzo in 1453. One can see views of Vienna, Linz, and Graz by Giorgio Vasari. In the center of the courtyard, there is an elegant fountain by Verrocchio with a winged Cupid holding a fish.

Despite its austere and solemn exterior, the interior of the palace is striking in its elegance and splendor. Across all floors, there are numerous halls, each with its own theme and executed in a unique style. The best masters of the Middle Ages worked on their interiors.

The Hall of the Five Hundred is impressive in size: 52 by 23 meters. It was created by Simone del Pollaiolo. This hall was intended by Girolamo Savonarola to house the Great Council. During the reign of Cosimo I, the master Vasari adorned the hall's walls with frescoes vividly depicting battle scenes. In the process of converting the hall into the duke's judicial chamber, frescoes by the great Italians Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo were deliberately destroyed. Nevertheless, Michelangelo's most significant masterpiece, the sculptural ensemble Genius overcoming brute force, has been preserved to our day. Along the walls of the Hall, in special niches, are displayed sculptures of Popes who governed the church in conjunction with the Medici family. These were created by the great sculptor Baccio Bandinelli. The hall's lofty, luxurious ceiling is decorated with paintings that glorify the Grand Duke and his army. At the center of the ceiling is a panel depicting the triumph of Cosimo I as the Duke of Florence and Tuscany.

The Apartments of the Elements consist of 5 rooms, decorated with frescoes depicting symbols of fire, earth, water, and air. They are located on the second floor of the palace. Cosimo I lived here for some time before moving to the Palazzo Pitti. The frescoes were painted by Giorgio Vasari, marking his debut in collaboration with the Medici. Later, the artist would seek the powerful family's patronage multiple times. The most interesting of his works are considered to be the images of Venus and Saturn, decorating one of the room's ceilings.

The ceiling of the hall is adorned with a fresco of Jupiter. The walls feature beautiful tapestries created from designs by the master Stradano.

The Hall of Cybele is distinguished from the other rooms of the palace by its magnificent floor. Here one can see frescoes of the "Triumph of Cybele" and "The Seasons".

The walls of the Hall of Ceres are decorated with tapestries based on Stradano's sketches, depicting hunting scenes. The ceiling features a fresco of Ceres, painted by Doceno.

The Green Hall, with its chapel, was formerly part of the apartments of Eleonora of Toledo, wife of Cosimo I. It is famous for a fresco by Agnolo Bronzino, adorning the top of the chapel. The doors of the Green Hall lead directly into the "Vasari Corridor", a long gallery connecting two palaces: Palazzo Vecchio and Palazzo Pitti.

The Hall of Penelope houses the original of the famous Botticelli's "Madonna with Child". The ceiling painting of the room, depicting Penelope at the loom, is also of interest. The images from the "Odyssey" are impressively represented as well. The Hall of Penelope was once one of the rooms belonging to Eleonora of Toledo.

The Hall of Leo X is a complex of three rooms dedicated to the Medici family. The first is adorned with scenes from the life of Cosimo the Elder, the second with Lorenzo the Magnificent. The third room features portraits of Pope Leo X.

The Audience Hall and the Hall of Lilies are recognized as the most beautiful rooms on the second floor. The Audience Hall has preserved untouched elements of the palace's most ancient interior, existing since the time of the Florentine Republic. The gold ceiling of the Audience Hall features the coat of arms of Florence, completed in 1476 by Giuliano da Maiano. The ceiling of the Hall of Lilies displays the French coat of arms, a lily on a blue background, as a token of gratitude from the Guelphs, who had received support from the Duke of Anjou and the Pope.

The halls are connected by a marble portal, worked on by Giuliano da Maiano and Benedetto. Woodwork was done by the master Del Franchione. Frescoes from 1544 depict scenes from the lives of the generals of Ancient Rome, with Cosimo I being a notable figure, created by the master Francesco Salviati. On the wall, one can see a huge fresco with images of Saint Zenobius, Brutus, Saint Stephen, and Lorenzo, a work by Ridolfo Ghirlanda.