Piazza della Signoria

During the Roman period, there was a theater on the site of the square. Later, 36 towers were built, which housed the Uberti family, who were Ghibellines. In 1260, after the victory of the Guelphs, all the Uberti family buildings were destroyed. This event led to the formation of the square.

In 1299, the construction of the government building – Palazzo Vecchio – began. This is when the square got its modern name. Gradually, buildings and sculptures began to appear around it. By 1382, the Loggia dei Lanzi was built, where mass events and receptions were held. In 1565, the labor-intensive work of the sculptor Ammannati on the Neptune fountain was completed. Twenty years later, the equestrian statue of Cosimo I Medici was installed.

Like any historical monument, the Piazza della Signoria has witnessed many tragic events. In 1478, Francesco Pazzi and his supporters were hanged and displayed for public view from the windows of the current town hall here.

Another important execution took place a few years later. The monk Girolamo Savonarola was hanged and burned. A memorial plaque is installed at this site in memory of the event.

To this day, the square retains the title of Florence's political center. The square is built in the shape of the letter L, surrounded by restaurants, attractions, and sculptures by famous Italian masters.

The Loggia dei Lanzi was built between 1376 and 1382 by Benci di Cione and Simone di Francesco Talenti and was intended for meetings and receptions of the Florentine Republic. Currently, it serves as an open-air museum. There are numerous sculptures depicting mythological ancient heroes.

Visitors can admire magnificent works depicting ancient heroes. Among the themes, one can recognize "The Rape of Polyxena" by Pio Fedi, "Perseus with the Head of Medusa" by Cellini, as well as "Hercules and the Centaur" and "The Rape of the Sabine Women" by Giambologna.

The Loggia dei Lanzi consists of wide arches that open onto the street. The vaults are supported by pilasters with Corinthian capitals. The wide arches were so liked by the inhabitants of Florence that Michelangelo even proposed continuing them around the entire perimeter of the Piazza della Signoria. The vibrant construction of the loggia contrasts sharply with the stern architecture of the Palazzo Vecchio.

The statues of the Piazza della Signoria are not just a collection of highly artistic works but a unique allegorical cycle in the world, intended to inspire the city's rulers on their way to the Palazzo Vecchio. Notably, almost all the sculptures (except for the "Perseus" statue) are exact copies, and the originals are carefully preserved in the city's museums.

The bronze statue "Judith with the Head of Holofernes" is located directly in front of the Palazzo della Signoria. It was installed by the Florentines in 1495, as a symbol of the republic's revival. The sculpture's author is Donatello, the head of Holofernes symbolizes the overthrown Medici family, and Judith represents Florence liberated.

The symbol of Florence's aspiration for freedom, strength and energy, beauty, power, and movement – all embodied in the statue of the biblical hero David, carved by Michelangelo in the early 16th century. The statue was installed in front of the palace, and 300 years later, it was replaced with a copy, and the original was moved to the Academy Gallery.

The center of the Piazza della Signoria is adorned with the Neptune fountain, built by the talented sculptor Ammannati. Nearby, one can see the grand equestrian statue of Duke Cosimo I, which was created by Giambologna. The work on the piece, which brought the sculptors incredible popularity, lasted a long 10 years. The figure of the sea king is carved from precious Carrara marble, and Neptune's face bears a resemblance to the appearance of the great Duke of Tuscany, Cosimo I.

Next to it, on the ground, there is a marble slab. It marks the very place where in 1498 the monk and Italian reformer Girolamo Savonarola was burned.

The work "Hercules, Defeating Cacus”, by Baccio Bandinelli. The sculpture, executed in the Mannerist style, is characterized by the complexity of its lines and the tension of its poses. The marble statue stands over 5 meters tall. The theme is based on the ancient Roman myth telling how the celebrated hero Hercules sneaked into the cave of the fire-breathing cannibal and giant Cacus and killed him with his club.

The equestrian statue of Cosimo I, executed by Giambologna. In the proud image of the great Duke of Tuscany, one can sense a resemblance to the Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius, whose monument is installed in Rome.

On the sides of the square, there are several ancient buildings that represent the era of the 14th to 16th centuries. Among them, the most interesting are the Ugolino Palace, whose facade was designed by the great Raphael, and the building of the commercial court.