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| FLORENCE HOMEPAGE » UFFIZI AREA » FLORENCE MONUMENTS |
Piazza della Signoria |
This area is mainly characterised by the lively Piazza della
Signoria, centre of power in Florence since the 1300 and
that looks like an open-air museum. Some of the statues in the square,
which commemorate the most important city events, are not the original
ones. For example, the original Michelangelo’s David statue
was moved in 1873 into the Accademia Gallery.
The square is dominated by the medieval Palazzo Vecchio built by
the Guelfs in 1299 as the government building. Designed by Arnolfo
di Cambio, it was completed in 1322 when an enormous bell was erected
on the top of the tower. The interior was rebuilt in 1540 by Vasari
when Cosimo I de’ Medici moved into the palace. In front of
the Palazzo Vecchio stands the imponent Neptune Fountain.
Loggia dei Lanzi |
A distinctive part of the square is characterised by the impressive
Loggia dei Lanzi that was built between 1376 and
1391 by Benci di Cione and Simone Talenti, for cerimonial and official
events for the “Signoria” and the townspeople. The late
Gothic style used for the construction of this Loggia is very elegant.
On the sides of the stairs, stand two lions, one is by Flaminio
Vacca (1600). The interior houses prestigious sculptures like the
famous “Perseo” by Cellini (1553) and the “Ratto
delle Sabine” by Giambologna (1583). Going on our walk, we
lively suggest a visit to the Uffizi Gallery,
Uffizi gallery |
founded in Florence in 1581, by the De Medici family, one of the
oldest museums in the world. The U-shaped Uffizi Palace, which covers
an area of about 8.000 sq.m., houses the most important collection
of paintings in Italy (with works by Botticelli, Leonardo da Vinci,
Uccello etc..) and one of the most important collections of art
of all times.
Corridoio Vasariano |
The famous corridor (Corridoio Vasariano) that
was used by the Medici to move from a residence to an other without
leaving the house, was built in 1565 by the favourite Medici’s
architect: Vasari. It connects the Palazzo Vecchio with Palazzo
Pitti, through the Uffizi and Ponte Vecchio.
Ponte Vecchio |
Ponte Vecchio is the oldest and the most romantic
bridge which crosses the river Arno. It dates back to Roman times
and it has often been re-built. It was the only one to survive to
the second world war. Originally the sides held food shops but by
the end of the 15th century Ferdinando I drove away these categories
and the shops were assigned to goldsmiths and silversmiths. In the
middle of the bridge there is a bust of Benvenuto Cellini, one of
the most famous city’s goldsmiths.
Other two interesting Museums of this area are the Dante’s
House and the Bargello with its National Museum. The Dante’s
House was restructured in 1911; and houses a Museum dedicated to
Dante’s life and works. The ground floor of this house is
used to organize modern art and sculpture exhibitions.
Bargello |
The Bargello was built in 1255 and it is one of
the oldest seat of the government in Florence. In the sixteenth
century it became the residence of the Bargello or head of police
spies from which it took its name. Throughout the XVIII century
it functioned as a prison, in which were organized the capital executions
until 1786. It has been the setting of many of the most important
events of civic life. In 1865 it became one of the first National
Museum housing some of the masterpieces of the Tuscan Renaissance
and a superb collection of sculptures with works by Michelangelo,
Donatello, Giambologna, Cellini and Andrea della Robbia.
Interesting are the two Churches Orsanmichele and Badia Fiorentina.
Orsanmichele |
Orsanmichele since the VIII century, hosted the
Oratory of San Michele in Orto. In 1290 Arnolfo di Cambio built
a loggia to serve as the grain market, but in 1337 it was transformed
into a church. On the exterior of the chapel marble tabernacles
were built to host statues of the patron saints of the Guilds, who
commissioned the greatest artists of the period. Thus we find Verrocchio's
Saint John the Baptist and Doubting Thomas, Giambologna's Saint
Luke, Donatello's bas-relief of Saint George freeing the King's
Daughter, and a Madonna with Child by Luca della Robbia. Badia Fiorentina
is one of the oldest in Florence and was found in 978 by Willa,
the Count Uberto di Toscana’s widow. Their son, Ugo, was buried
here in 1001 and his wonderful tomb was built by Mino da Fiesole
between 1469 and 1481.The interior presents a beautiful painting
by Filippino Lippi. Its cloister was built by Rossellino between
1435 and 1440 and is decored by many well preserved frescoes.
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