Palazzo Vecchio in Piazza della Signoria is now the seat of the Municipality of Florence. It was the seat of the Medici family from 1540 to 1565 when Grand Duke Cosimo 1 moved to Palazzo Pitti.
Inside there is a museum with rooms decorated and frescoed by illustrious artists, including Ghirlandaio and Vasari and where the works of Michelangelo and Donatello are exhibited.
Come and discover the secrets of Medici power among masterpieces by Michelangelo, frescoes by Vasari and monumental rooms. Book your guided tour of Palazzo Vecchio in Florence now.
Palazzo Vecchio tour with guide: what to see and duration of the visit
The guided tour of Palazzo Vecchio starts from the outside of the Palace where its imposing ashlar façade gives a deep sense of solidity.
Located in front of the façade are copies of prestigious works, such as Donatello’s Marzocco and Judith and Holofernes, Michelangelo’s David, Hercules and Cacus by Baccio Bandinelli, an author much disputed for daring to compare his work to Michelangelo’s masterpiece.
The tower of Palazzo Vecchio, about 94m high, is off-center to the right of the façade because it rests on a pre-existing tower-house.
The main door leads to the first courtyard which in 1565, on the occasion of the wedding between Francesco 1 of the Medici and Joan of Austria, was decorated in majestic style by Giorgio Vasari.
Continuing our visit we reach the first floor where the famous Salone dei Cinquecento is located. A large room built in 1494 and later enlarged by Vasari for Cosimo 1 to be used for his grand-ducal audiences.
Around the large Hall, in niches, there are sculptures including that of Leo X and Clement VII.
Continuing towards the first floor you arrive at the monumental quarters: richly decorated rooms, such as that of Leo X (the first Medici pope) and Clement VII, or the Room of Cosimo the Elder, that of Lorenzo the Magnificent, the Room of Cosimo 1, all united by the intent to celebrate the Medici Family.
We reach the second floor through a majestic monumental staircase designed by Vasari in which the Quarter of the Elements is located, a private place of Cosimo I and dedicated to the 4 natural elements, water, earth, air, fire. Also added is the Quarter of Eleonora, wife of Cosimo 1, also finely decorated in the style of a Medici celebration.
The Chapel of the Priors, also on the first floor, with walls and ceiling frescoed with frescoes imitating gold mosaics, is the place where Savonarola recited his last prayer before being burned alive in Piazza della Signoria.
Continuing our journey we reach other rooms: the Audience and the Giglio. Both richly decorated with wall and ceiling frescoes, the Giglio one houses Donatello’s original, Judith and Holofernes, a copy of which is located in front of Palazzo Vecchio.
Continuing we reach the Room of Geographical Maps with the famous Mappa mundi globe made in 1581 in the center.
From the majestic Salone dei Cinquecento to the secret rooms of the Medici: live a unique experience in the heart of Renaissance power. Book a guided tour of Palazzo Vecchio with Florenceforanyone.
The duration of the visit to Palazzo Vecchio is 2 hours. With my guide to the Palace you will have the chance to see:
Description of the Palace, the square in front of it and the works on display here.
- Michelozzo’s First Courtyard
- Chamber of Arms
- Foreground
- Salone dei Cinquecento
- Studiolo of Francis I
- Monumental districts
- Room of Leo X
- Room of Cosimo the Elder
- Hall of Lorenzo the Magnificent
- Room of Cosimo I
- Hall of Clement VII
- Second floor
- District of the Elements
- Eleonora de Toledo’s neighborhood
- Chapel of the Priors
- Audience Hall
- Hall of the Lilies
- Map Room
