Palazzo Vecchio

Construction of this iconic fortress began in 1299 under the direction of Arnolfo di Cambio, the same architect responsible for the Duomo. Originally known as the Palazzo della Signoria, it was built to house the ruling body of the Republic of Florence. Its rugged, crenelated exterior was designed to reflect the strength and stability of the city-state, standing proudly over the ruins of the Ghibelline Uberti family's homes. During the 16th century, the building underwent a dramatic transformation when Duke Cosimo I de' Medici moved his court here. He commissioned Giorgio Vasari to renovate the interior, turning the austere medieval rooms into a magnificent ducal residence filled with Mannerist art. It was during this period that the Hall of the Five Hundred was expanded to its current breathtaking scale, intended to showcase the glory of the Medici dynasty. The palace's name eventually changed to Palazzo Vecchio, or 'Old Palace,' after the Medici moved their primary residence across the river to the Palazzo Pitti. Throughout the centuries, it has remained the political soul of Florence, even serving as the seat of the Italian Parliament when Florence was the national capital in the late 19th century. Today, it continues to function as the city's town hall while welcoming visitors to explore its deep layers of history and Renaissance art.