Palazzo Medici Riccardi, formerly the ancestral castle of the Medici family, is the first early Renaissance building erected in Florence. This one is located near the Duomo Square. The palace became an architectural model for similar buildings in the future, turning into a classic. And the history of one of the most famous buildings in Florence has become an inseparable part of the history of the city.
The appearance and style of the palazzo were invented by the architect Michelozzo specifically for the Medici family. Initially, the creation of the project was proposed (Filippo Brunelleschi) . However, the building he invented seemed to the old banker too pretentious and elegant, and he refused his services. Cosimo the Elder believed that a too rich building would cause unnecessary envy. According to historical evidence, Brunelleschi was so offended by the refusal that he smashed the model of the palace offered to the Duke.
The image of the palace proposed by Michelozo di Bartolomeo was, on the contrary, so simple that the Medici unconditionally accepted it. So, at the intersection of the busiest streets of that time, the construction of the first Renaissance mansion began, which lasted for 20 years, starting in 1444. Later, the architects who built houses for bankers tried in no case to surpass Cosimo's house, so that the owner would not be accused of arrogance.
Courtyard
A strict structure in the form of a regular quadrangle hides inside a central courtyard of a regular shape, surrounded by arcades. During his reign, Lorenzo, entering through the archway, could see two "Davids" placed above the atrium at the same time. One was created, and the second - Verrochio. The yard is simply adorable. When you get there, you feel an unusual lightness compared to the oppressive power of the facade. Later, such elements of architecture will become mandatory for every aristocratic house.
The inner courtyard is also called the "Courtyard of Michelozzo" or "Courtyard with columns". The architectural solution of the courtyard is very harmonious and creates the effect of symmetry. The first level of the building is made in the form of a covered arched gallery with columns decorated with a frieze with medallions, scenes from mythology made by Bertoldo di Giovani, Medici coats of arms and festoons with monochrome graffito. On the second level there are windows that repeat the outlines of the windows of the external facade. The third level is an arched gallery adorned with Ionic columns. Today it is all sealed up.
On the south side of the courtyard, you can see an inscription located on a stone cartouche of the wall and dated 1715. The inscription glorifies the Palazzo, its history, the greatness of the Medici family, without disregarding the Riccardi family and their contribution to the arrangement of the building. On the walls of the lower floor there are exhibits from the Medici and Riccardi collections. These are various busts, and fragments of reliefs, and entire Roman sarcophagi.
Under the vaults you can see the sculptural composition "Orpheus pacifying Cerberus", created by Baccio Bandinelli in 1515. The exquisite plinth for the statue was made separately by Benedetto di Rovenzzano and decorated with the Medici coats of arms.
The garden laid out in the courtyard also strives for symmetry. The flower beds have a regular geometric shape, and the paths are lined with a mosaic pattern. Previously, bushes and trees were cut in the form of various animals (deer, elephants, dogs). The statue of Judith, created by Donatello and standing in the center, is today on the steps. Instead of trimmed bushes, now there are only a lot of citrus trees in tubs.
Appearance
The façade of the building is so simple that it is a masterpiece of elegance. The cladding of the first floor of the palace is made of hewn rough stone and resembles the wall of a fortress. This style was supposed to symbolize the stability and power of the Medici rule. The second floor of the building, lined with smooth slabs, deserves special mention. Its lancet windows with rounded arches were designed by Michelangelo himself. The upper floor previously served as a loggia on the southeast side. Today it is sealed up.
Along the upper edge of the building, the architect decided to put a strongly protruding cornice with consoles. Such elements have not been used in architecture since antiquity. The second floor is divided with the first cornice with a jagged frieze, and is also decorated with the coat of arms of the Medici family.
Coat of arms of the Medici
The exact meaning of the Medici coat of arms does not exist. However, in one of the historical manuscripts, a legend was found that tells about the connection between the Medici family and Charlemagne. A Medici named Averardo commanded the army of Charlemagne. Once, during the liberation of Tuscany from the Lombards, he met in hand-to-hand combat with the giant Mugelo. The giant wielded a huge club with iron balls, and Averardo only had to defend himself with a shield. These marks on the Medici shield from blows became the coat of arms of the family. And the first lands of the Medici were located in an area called Mugelo.
Alternative versions of the origin of the emblem with 6 balls say that the balls represent pills (the Medici ancestors were doctors) or gold bars (a symbol of wealth) - in the Middle Ages they had a spherical shape.
The ground floor was divided into stables, kitchens and servants' quarters. The second was occupied by the owners' chambers and various representative premises were located. Indeed, according to the initial plan, the palazzo was supposed to serve not only as a family home, but as the headquarters of the Medici bank. And in those days, Cosimo de Medici was considered the most respected of the 80 bankers of Florence.
Interior decoration
Some of the rooms on the ground floor have been preserved almost in the same form as they were in the 17th century. One of these rooms is the Gallery of Mirrors (Giordano Gallery, Giordano Galleria). The vault of the room is decorated with frescoes, which were created by the Neapolitan artist Luca Giordano at the end of the 17th century, commissioned by the Riccardi family. The frescoes depict allegorical figures.
In the central part of the vault is the Medici Triumph on the Clouds of Olympus. In the center of the composition is Jupiter at the top of Olympus. He is surrounded by characters with easily recognizable faces of the Medici family. The main character, at whose feet the lion sits, is the Grand Duke of Tuscany, Cosimo III Medici. On the sides of him, riding white horses, are his sons: on the right - Ferdinando Medici, on the left - Gian Gastone. Below is the Duke's brother, Francesco Maria Medici. Above you can see characters with stars burning above their heads. The stars symbolize the satellites of the planet Jupiter, which were discovered by Galileo and dedicated to the Medici family (lat. Stellae Medicae).
Leaving the Giordano Gallery, you will see the Madonna and Child by Filippo Lippi. The Medici family patronized the Florentine artist, and orders from them came to him throughout his life. It is worth paying tribute to the talent of the artist, because the embodiment of maternal tenderness cannot leave anyone indifferent.
When the troops of the French king Charles VIII occupied Italy in 1494, the province of Florence was under the leadership of Pietro Gino Caponi. The Italians stubbornly refused to surrender to the French. Before the threat of attack, Capponi said: "If you start blowing the trumpets, we will ring the bells." This event took place in the hall, later called the "Karl's Hall", and the phrase got into history.
Having risen to the second floor, do not expect to find something from the personal belongings of the Medici there. Indeed, since the 17th century, the premises have been repeatedly rebuilt and modified. To some, the interior rooms may seem simply huge. But here it is worth remembering that the building was designed for a large Italian family. And this is no less than six or seven sons with wives, as well as numerous children, animals and servants.
Unlike the first floor, the second floor was considered the main one. Its walls are covered with marble, above the head there is a gilded ceiling decorated with stucco decorations, the floor is lined with marble tiles, relief frames are made on the windows and doors, the furniture is inlaid with multi-colored wooden mosaics.
Chapel of the Magi
One of the most famous places in the palace was a small family chapel, called the Chapel of the Magi. A small room consists of two rooms. Once inside, you are breathtaking. There is a feeling that you are in a fairy tale box. The walls are painted, but not in a cycle of frescoes, but rather as a continuous single decoration. Decorated by Benozzo Gozzoli (Italian Benozzo Gozzoli, 1420-1497). It was he who created the famous "Procession of the Magi to Bethlehem." And looking closely, you can easily see that the faces of the Magi strongly resemble the faces of the Medici family.
The procession of the Magi moves slowly. Some old men and young men look at you from the walls, others go about their business and absolutely do not pay any attention to you. The sound of hooves seems to be heard, softly breaking the silence. There is a smell of laurel. Being inside, you briefly fall out of reality. The faces of the people depicted seem both close and distant at the same time. There is a feeling of an ordinary Florentine street. Only the clothes are slightly different.
The walls are completely girded with an endlessly crowded procession led by three wise men. Each of them has its own tuple. The star of Bethlehem that guides them shines straight from the ceiling.
The central place of the chapel is the altar. From the beginning of the 20th century, an altar painting "Nativity" was placed above it, in which Mary worships the baby along with John the Baptist. The image is a copy of the work of Filippo Lippi, made by his student. The original can be seen at the Berlin-Dahlem Gallery.
All senior representatives of the Medici family have lived in this massive structure for several centuries. Until one day, under the reign of Pietro Medici "The Loser", they had to leave their home, fleeing from an angry mob. Everything that was possible, they tried to take away with them. However, most of the treasures were looted. In 1659, after a period of some decline, the Medici sold the palazzo to the Riccardi family.
In addition to the palace itself, the Marquis Gabriello Riccardi became the owner of three nearby buildings, which also belonged to the Medici. Immediately after the purchase, reconstruction began. The palace was expanded from the north side and the interior of the interior was partially renovated. During the restructuring, Riccardi tried to keep the appearance in the Renaissance style. From the inside, the interior was revised towards the Baroque, which was just beginning to come into fashion. The addition of a new style made the building more majestic and spectacular.
In 1814, Riccardi decided to sell the building to the Grand Duke of Tuscany. Since then, the palace has received the name of both former owners of the Medici-Riccardi. In 1874, the mansion was sold to the Province of Florence, which placed the Prefecture of the city on its premises.
Today, some rooms of the palace are also occupied by the Riccardian Library. It was founded by Ricardo Riccardi in 1600. And since 1715 the library was opened to the public. Part of the unoccupied premises is preserved in its original form and is open for viewing by visitors.
Helpful information
- Palace address: Via Cavour, 3 (Cavour Street not far from)
- Official site: www.palazzo-medici.it
Working hours
The palace is open for visits daily from 9-00 to 19-00, except Wednesday. On weekends and holidays, the palazzo closes at 18:00.
IMPORTANT: the box office is open from 9-00 to 17-00.
Ticket price
The entrance ticket will cost you 7 euros, for the preferential category (teenagers and military personnel) - 4 euros. People with disabilities can visit Palazzo Medici Riccardi for free with an accompanying person.
IMPORTANT: entrance to the chapel is limited by the number of visitors. No more than 10 people at the same time.
How to get there
If you will get by public transport, then buses No. 1,6,11,17 will suit you. If you decide to use your own transport, you can park your car at the Central Market or the railway station located nearby.
Florence is a Tuscan city standing on. It has a huge number of different attractions, most of which are palaces, cathedrals and museums. The city became the cradle of Boccaccio and many other famous personalities. It is generally accepted that it was Florence that became the birthplace of the Renaissance in Italy.
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No matter how much time you take to visit Florence, it will never be enough. There are more than 80 museums in Florence alone. Millions of tourists visit the city every year, and, alas, it is impossible to avoid crowds during the season. At the same time, every minute lost in line for the next attraction increases the score of missed opportunities. And if you happen to be in Florence, say, in June, then there will be many such missed opportunities.
The Italians took this fact into account, and developed a system that allows you to buy tickets in museums in Florence online. In this article we will talk about the most interesting of the city's museums, where you can buy tickets via the Internet.
Uffizi Gallery
Founded in the second half of the 16th century, the Uffizi Gallery in Florence is considered one of the most important fine art museums in Europe. The basis of the museum was a collection of paintings, transferred to the Gallery by the Medici family, who ruled Florence for many years.
Among its exhibits are works by Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael, Titian, Michelangelo, Caravaggio and others. Along with Italian masters, the Uffizi Gallery presents the best paintings by famous French, Spanish, German, Dutch and other artists, as well as samples of the art of the Antique era.
The Uffizi Gallery has self-portraits of Russian artists
A kind of zest Uffizi Galleries considered a unique collection of self-portraits of famous artists. It is noteworthy that the idea to collect self-portraits of masters of the brush belongs to Cardinal Leopold of the Medici, the famous offspring of the Medici family, who lived in the 17th century.
Bargello Museum
Built in the 13th century, the current Bargello Museum (MuseodelBargello) was originally a fortified castle and served as a town hall. During the reign of the Medici family, Bargello Castle became a prison, and prisoners sentenced to death were executed in its courtyard.
Later, the building housed the city police. And only in 1865 the Castle was turned into National Bargello Museum, the exhibits of which were the works of Italian sculptors of the Renaissance (XIV-XVII centuries).
In the famous sculptural collection of the Museum, the first masterpiece of Michelangelo is the statue of the god of wine Bacchus and the marble bust of Brutus, who killed the Roman emperor Caesar. A bronze statue of the Etruscan god "Amur-Atis" and "David", who defeated the mighty Goliath, are the creations of the hands of Donatello, Mercury - the Florentine mannerist sculptor Giambologna, etc.
For some time, the building of the Bargello Museum housed the city police.
The Bargello National Museum also has other, no less interesting exhibits. Among them - a collection of ancient weapons, armor, Arabic carpets, jewelry, majolica, ivory and medals from the collection of the Medici family.
Chapel of the Podesta, located on the territory of the Bargello Museum, also deserves special attention. This is the place where the last hours of those sentenced to death passed. Its walls are painted with paintings depicting Paradise, Hell and scenes from the lives of the Saints, made by the masters of the Italian school of painting, founded by Giotto di Bondone at the beginning of the 14th century.
Academy Gallery
Founded in the 16th century with the support of the Duke of Tuscany Cosimo I - the successor of the Medici family - Academy of Fine Arts in Florence became the first academy of painting in Europe.
The Art Gallery (Galleriadell'Accademia), created at the Academy in 1784, originally served as a visual aid for students of art schools subordinate to the Academy. Here, novice artists learned the secrets of painting, examining the works of the great masters of the past.
In the Accademia Gallery you can also see the original statue of David by Michelangelo.
Today, the largest collection of paintings and sculptures of the 15th-16th centuries in Florence is collected. Among its exhibits are world-famous works by Michelangelo - "David" and "Prisoners", "The Rape of the Sabine Women" by Giambologna and others. The pearl of the collections is rightfully the painting by Sandro Botticelli - "Madonna by the Sea".
Also in the Academy Gallery is a unique collection of tapestries and tabernacles - richly decorated structures designed to store objects of religious worship.
Palazzo Pitti
Palazzo Pitti (PalazzoPitti) - The Royal Palace of the XVI century, which served as the residence of the Medici family, and then the dynasty of Lorraine dukes and Italian kings. Today the Palazzo is one of the largest museum complexes and the most significant sights of Florence.
Palazzo Pitti includes the Palatine Gallery, the Royal Apartments, the Gallery of Modern Art, the Silver Museum, the Porcelain Museum, the Jewelery Museum, the Carriage Museum and the Costume Gallery - the largest collection in Italy dedicated to the history of fashion.
Palazzo Pitti was the residence of the royal families of Florence
Palatine Gallery, decorated in the Baroque style, is a unique collection of works of art. Among its exhibits are 11 paintings by Raphael, famous paintings by Botticelli, Titian, masterpieces by Caravaggio, Van Dyck, Rubens and others.
Museums are a kind of treasury of items made of gold and silver, precious stones, ivory, etc. There is also a unique collection of ancient Roman amphorae and vases from Byzantium and Venice.
Palazzo Vecchio
One of the most famous buildings in Florence is Palazzo Vecchio(PalazzoVecchio), built in the XIII century for administrative purposes. At first, priors sat here, later - seniors, and after them - the Florentine dukes.
Today the Palace also performs administrative functions - it serves as the town hall. Florentines, like many centuries ago, continue to check the time by the clock of the Palazzo Vecchio, installed on a 94-meter tower by a Bavarian master in 1665.
The excursion program in the Palazzo begins with the patio, made in the style of the early Renaissance.
The halls of the Palazzo Vecchio are decorated with golden ceilings and frescoes.
The salon of five hundred, once intended for meetings, is decorated with allegorical frescoes by Vasari and sculptural compositions by Michelangelo and Giambologna.
Rich in sights of world importance. The whole atmosphere is saturated with history, the great masters of the Renaissance used to walk here. The paths of Michelangelo and Leonardo could cross on the streets of Florence (such a meeting could easily end in a temperamental skirmish, the artists clashed, and only time could reconcile them). Dante liked to meditate on a stone that once stood on Duomo Square (unfortunately, this boulder has not been preserved, which is a pity, but everyone here knows the place where it stood). Savonarol's sermons also took place in these streets.
The real pearl of Florence is the Uffizi Gallery, which has collected many great masterpieces of art.
Florence and her patrons
Florence, unlike many ancient cities, has always been built according to a plan; randomness is initially alien to this city. The constant improvement of buildings, streets and squares has become the goal of many creators of architectural ensembles. Of course, such an attitude to the appearance of the city is not without serious material costs, but money, as a rule, was not the issue. The richest Florentine families Alberti, Strozzi and many others did not spare gold, trying to create a beautiful frame for this pearl of Tuscany, and at the same time immortalize their names.
The Medici, whose forefathers were physicians, became prosperous bankers in the mid-fifteenth century. Their donations were especially generous, and the collection of paintings and sculpture formed the basis of the future great museum, which Italy is proud of. The Uffizi Gallery was founded by the Medici.
Construction of the city administration building
In 1559, one of the I (Senior), ruling the city at that time, decided to create a centralized governing body and gather the entire administration in one building. He was not a very learned man, although he sincerely revered art, but he came to the idea of creating a gallery later.
It is interesting that the sculptures that marked the beginning of the collection were rejected by the Vatican, and therefore donated by Pius V. The claims of the church leadership were not the artistic merit of the works, but the fact that the statues depicted naked characters, it seemed sinful. At first, all these treasures were kept in the family in the Riccardi Palace, which served as the Medici family castle.
Meanwhile, in 1560, the design of a spacious palazzo began, entrusted to the famous architect Vasari. The demolition of many buildings was supposed, and their fragments were allowed to be used to build a new palace. The word "Uffii" is translated from Italian as "offices" (in the plural).
Architectural projects
The case dragged on, in 1574 the master died, and Buontalenti had to complete the construction, who completed the task a year later. By this time, the purpose of the building had already changed, but the name remained the same, the Uffizi Gallery. Florence was enriched by the works created by the great masters and collected by the Medici family, but at first only representatives of the nobility could enjoy them. For ten years, the building continued to be completed, eventually the palace turned out to be horseshoe-shaped in plan, with a view of the river from the windows of the narrow side. The architects did not raise their hand to destroy some ancient buildings (the old Mint and the Cathedral of San Pietro Sceragio), and they entered the general ensemble. At that time, both structures were already four centuries old.
Gallery formation
Already by the end of construction, Vasari (and he was an artist, and not just an architect) was aware that he was building not a palace for the city administration, but a gallery. The Uffizi was opened in the sixteenth century, and the architect's perspective decisions contributed to the most favorable lighting conditions for the future exhibition. In 1737, according to the will of Cardinal Leopoldo, the last of the Medici family, the entire family collection became the property of the city of Florence. A century later, the museum became public. At the same time, in the thirties of the eighteenth century, the first inventory of the collection was compiled, which occupied ten volumes.
self-portraits
The Uffizi Gallery has collected many self-portraits, both ancient and modern, which can be used to study eras. The basis of this collection was a series of works bought by Leopold de' Medici, who served as a cardinal, from the Roman Academy of St. Luke, and then it was regularly replenished. The first floor of the building became the place of the portrait painting exposition. Thanks to this collection, modern people can get an idea of the appearance and characters of the great painters, Italian (including da Vinci, Titian, Veronese, Romano, Raphael, Michelangelo) and from other countries (Dürer, Rembrandt, Rubens, Velasquez, Van Dyck and Karl Bryullov ). By the way, about Bryullov. His admirers were Walter Scott and Commuci, they admired The Last Day of Pompeii, a painting that made a splash in Italy even before the triumph in St. Petersburg.
But there are also Giotto, and Caravaggio, and many other glorious names ...
Tribune of the Uffizi
There is a special door in the gallery, upholstered in leather and cloth, leading to the central exposition, called the Tribune. The hall is not very large, illuminated by a glass lantern in the roof and contains the most outstanding works, including sculptures and paintings from different eras and schools. In the center of the eight-walled room stands Venus surrounded by dancing fauns and Apollo. There is also a sculpture of a stern slave sharpening a knife. Two more Venuses, this time picturesque, belong to the brush of Titian. It is believed that the Tribune contains the best that the Uffizi Gallery has to offer: Raphael's paintings "Madonna with a Goldfinch", "Portrait of Pope Julius II" and "John the Baptist". Here is the "Birth of Venus" by Botticelli, and several works that reveal the biblical theme of the worship of the Magi (Ghirlandaio and Leonardo da Vinci), but the real gem is the "Holy Family" of the titan of the Renaissance by Michelangelo.
Uffizi losses
Italy has experienced many upheavals and wars over the centuries, in which not only people died, but also works of art. Many times the Uffizi Gallery also suffered losses. Florence was in the path of the Napoleonic armies. The collection was damaged and partially looted during the hostilities that took place in 1943, when the Nazis occupied the country, trying to prevent the advance of the Allied forces. Then, after the explosion of the city water supply, the lower floor was partially flooded. The terrorists who killed five people with a bomb in 1993 and damaged the priceless works of art in the Niobe Hall added trouble. Some frescoes could not be restored.
Before visiting this wonderful collection, it is useful to get some information about what the rules are and where the Uffizi Gallery is located. Photography and filming in the halls, as in most museums, is prohibited. This is not a whim of the administration, but a completely rational measure required to ensure the safety of the paintings. The day off here is Monday, on any other days the doors are friendly open from half past nine in the morning until seven in the evening, but it’s better to come early, there are many visitors, and queues form, which will take at least an hour (and sometimes much longer). There are fewer people in winter. The entrance ticket costs 9 euros and 10 cents, but on the birthday everyone can enter for free. The same applies to the beautiful half of humanity, but only on March 8 (it is also celebrated here).
You should not take any drinks with you, they will not let you in. Skip-the-line tour offers from some enterprising guides should be ignored. The group gathers for a long time, and it will take no less time than standing in line, and the costs will increase significantly. It’s better to book your visit on the Internet, you will have to wait only twenty minutes, the extra charge is 4 euros, but you can’t be late.
It is best to leave a backpack at the hotel, they will not let you in with it, and the queue for storage is almost the same as for a ticket. The Uffizi Gallery kindly offers for 8 euros a very handy thing called an audio guide. To take it, you need a deposit, any document with a photo.
And don't aim to see everything in one visit. It's just not possible. If there is not enough time for a multiple visit, it is better to focus on the most interesting direction in art, the Uffizi Gallery is rich in them. Reviews of acquaintances and friends who have been here will help in this.
How to find?
The museum complex is easy to find, it is enough for any local passer-by to say two words: “Uffizi Gallery”. The address is simple, Uffizi Square, Uffizi Palace. In fact, it is correct to say three words in Italian: “Galleria degli Uffizi”, but they will understand it that way. It is in the very center of the city, on the one hand the Ponte Vecchio bridge, on the other Piazza Senoria. The largest is located on the Arno River.
One of the most beautiful cities in Italy - old Florence, attracts tourists with a huge number of attractions. In the historical center of the city, it seems that every house here is associated with the names of great people. Even if you are here for a short time, you can have time to see the main museums of Florence. Tickets are sold both directly at the box office and via the Internet.
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Located in the center of Florence. Here you can see the work of Renaissance artists. The guests are presented with paintings by Leonardo da Vinci and Raphael, paintings by Botticelli and Michelangelo, Titian and Caravaggio. It is here that the Birth of Venus by Botticelli and the Baptism of Christ by Leonardo da Vinci are kept. There are always a lot of people who want to get here, especially on the first Sunday of the month, when admission is free.
If you come to Florence for a short time, so as not to waste time standing in lines, you can book tickets online, which will be a little more expensive. A ticket costs 8 euros, a reduced ticket (for European youth aged 18-25) 4 euros. The gallery is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 8.15 to 18.50, Monday is a day off. In the warm season, from March 31 to September 27, it is open until 22:00.
Academy of Fine Arts
It was founded in the 16th century by outstanding masters - Giorgio Vasari, Agnolo Bronzino and Bartolomeo Ammanati. Since then, artists, sculptors, architects from all over Europe have come here to study. Masters who made musical instruments also received invaluable knowledge here. At the end of the 18th century, the Academy of Fine Arts was moved to a spacious building that previously belonged to the hospital. From the music department, the Conservatory of Florence was later formed.
Today, many masterpieces are presented here. For example, guests can see "David" by Michelangelo, works by Botticelli, Scheggi, Perugino and other world-famous masters. Antiquarian musical instruments are also presented here. Open from Tuesday to Sunday from 8.15 to 18.50. The day off is Monday. On Fridays, in the summer, the doors are open until 22:00. Tickets cost 8 euros, for young people from the European Union - 4 euros.
Dante House Museum
To be precise, Dante never set foot in this house. The square, surrounded by old houses, in one of which the great poet lived, was reconstructed over time, the mansions were demolished, and new buildings were built in their place. But the perseverance of the Italians, who honor their culture, led to the fact that archaeologists were given the task of finding the exact place where Dante's house stood. Then, little by little, they collected information - how exactly he looked. And in 1911 they began to recreate it.
Inside are things that belong to the era when Dante Alighieri lived and worked. Furniture, paintings, weapons... Looking at them, guests can plunge into the past. There was also a place for an exposition dedicated to the beautiful Beatrice. Copies of manuscripts and illustrations for literary works are stored here, primarily for the Divine Comedy. Open from 10 am to 5 pm, every day except Monday. Ticket price: 4 euros for adults, 2 for children, children under 6 years old and the disabled are free.
Palazzo Pitti
The huge palace was built in the middle of the 15th century for the Pitti family. After about 100 years, it becomes the main residence of the Medici Dukes. Over time, two side wings were added, a huge courtyard appeared. Near the palazzo are the world-famous Boboli Gardens. Today in Palazzo Pitti you can see a rich collection of paintings from the 16th and 17th centuries, see the exhibits of the Silver Museum, and admire the collection of treasures that belonged to the Medici.
The building also houses the Museum of Modernist Art. You can visit the nearby Museum of Porcelain and the Gallery of Costumes. The latter presents a collection of clothes worn by people in the last three centuries. Open for tourists from Tuesday to Sunday from 8.15 to 18.50, Monday is a day off.
A ticket costs 8.5 euros, preferential (EU youth from 18 to 25 years old) - 4.25 euros.
Palazzo Vecchio
The old building on Piazza Senoria was built in the 14th century; today the city hall is located here. The similar Palazzo Tuscany in the town of Volterra served as a model. Attention is drawn to the tower crowned with battlements, its height reaches almost 100 meters. Once this ancient tower belonged to the Feraboschi family, then the architects included it in the design of the palazzo. Prisoners were kept here, and their list includes such famous names as Cosimo de Medici and Savonarola. In the 14th century, a large clock was hung on the tower, the work of the Florentine master Bernardo, in the 17th century they were replaced by a copy. But there are still hanging old bells, one of them belongs to the 13th century.
On the windows of the Palazzo Viecco, more than once, conspirators and those who attempted the lives of important people were hanged. Today, most of the palace is occupied by a museum. From October to March it is open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., every day except Thursday, but on Thursday it closes earlier - at 2 p.m. From April to September, the schedule changes: every day, except Thursday, the palace is open from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m., and on Thursday, as before, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and fortifications. It is worth paying attention to the fact that children under 6 years old are not allowed in the tower.
Vasari Corridor
The Vasari Corridor is a gallery connecting the two largest palaces in Florence - Palazzo Viecco and Palazzo Pitti. The length of the corridor is 750 m, and it was built on the orders of Cosimo Medici. The passage connected the residence of the Medici dukes with the place where the government met. A window-balcony connects the corridor with the church of Santa Felicita, so that the duke, if desired, could be present at the service, but no one could see him.
But part of the gallery is located on the Ponte Viecco bridge and offers a wonderful view from here. Now the gallery houses part of the exhibits of the Uffizi Gallery. Here you can see the works of Raphael, Rubens, Velasquez, Aivazovsky and other famous artists. Tourists can get here only during public holidays in Italy.
Church of Saint Margaret
Many will say that it was here that Dante met the beautiful Beatrice. Although this is just a beautiful legend. In fact, the poet saw the girl, who later became his muse, in her father's house. The modest church, built at the beginning of the 11th century, and dedicated to St. Margaret, has another "folk" name - "Dante's Church". Here he married his wife Gemma. Numerous fans of Dante come to look at this building from the Middle Ages.
She also married her husband Beatrice in this church, and was buried here when she died at 24. On the gravestone you can see numerous notes from lovers - they ask the spirit of Beatrice to help arrange their heart affairs. The church is open daily from 9 am to 1 pm and from 4 pm to 7 pm.
Opera del Duomo Museum
According to general reviews, it is a very interesting museum, where many sculptures and paintings are kept, which are real treasures. Here you can see the bust of Duke Cosimo de' Medici, the statue of Pope Boniface VIII. The great Donatello is the author of the statues of Habakkuk, Mary Magdalene and a number of other works.
The sculptural group "The Entombment", made by Michelangelo, is also kept here. It works on weekdays - from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., on Saturday - a little longer, until 9 p.m. The first Tuesdays of the month are days off. Ticket price - 6 euros, to avoid queues, it is better to book tickets in advance.
Bargello Palace
It is located in the historical center of the city, next to its main attractions. For several centuries, this building was the residence of the chief of police, then prisoners were kept here and soldiers lived, and only at the end of the 19th century the National Sculpture Museum was opened here. Now here you can see the work of the great masters of the 14th-16th centuries. Michelangelo, Donatello and others.
The bronze panel “The Sacrifice of Isaac” also attracts the attention of tourists. It was completed by Brunelleschi, who then supervised the work on the creation of the dome over the Duomo Cathedral - it is still the tallest building in the city. It is designed so that it is convenient to visit even for people in wheelchairs. Sightseeing time is not limited. Opens at 8.15 and is open until 13.50. Closed every 1st, 3rd and 5th Sunday of the month. Ticket price - 4 euros. Tickets can be ordered online, however, you have to wait for confirmation, which comes in about a day.
Palazzo Strozzi
Renaissance palace. It appeared as a result of the rivalry of two clans - the Medici and Strozzi.
Filippo Strozzi decided to build himself a palace no worse than the residence of the Medici and attached great importance to this. Astrologers have calculated the best date for laying the first stone in the foundation of the building. Today the palace is the property of the city authorities. Tourists visit the museum, which is located here, as well as various concerts - creative teams regularly organize them on the site in the courtyard.
Exhibitions of classical and modern art are held here, cafes and souvenir kiosks are open in the courtyard. Floor of the Nobles (classical art) – open from 9 am to 8 pm, Thursday – until 11 pm. The price of tickets may fluctuate depending on the popularity of the exhibition, averaging 10 euros. The Contemporary Art Center is open every day except Monday. Open from 10:00 to 20:00, on Thursday it closes at 23:00. Tickets cost 2.5-3 euros. If you come here after 18:00, the entrance will be free.
Palatine Gallery
The Palatine Gallery is part of the museum complex of Palazzo Pitti. 30 halls of the gallery are decorated in the Baroque style. Here is the largest collection of paintings by Raphael. Stay in Florence refers to one of the most fruitful periods of creativity of the great master. After all, here he communicated with Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo.
The main character of Raphael's paintings, created in Florence, is the Madonna. The famous paintings by Titian, Botticelli, Rubens and other masters are also presented to the attention of the guests. The gallery is open every day except Monday from 8.15 am to 6.50 pm. The ticket builds 8.5 euros. Young people under 18 and seniors over 65 can view the collection of paintings for free. If you decide to book tickets online, the price will increase by 3 euros.
Museum of the History of Science
A large collection of instruments of past centuries has been collected. Even the Medici began to collect them, who paid great attention to the development of the natural sciences, followed the conduct of experiments in physics. The museum is small, but the guides will convincingly tell you that the development of science in Florence was given the same attention as the development of art.
One-pillar chamber of the Patriarchal Palace
On May 20, 2011, a unique exposition called "The Treasury of the Medici" will open in the One-Pillar Chamber of the Patriarchal Palace. For the first time at an exhibition in Russia, masterpieces from the collection of the famous Florentine dynasty will be presented. Over time, the magnificent Medici collection was dispersed among various museums in Florence - most of it is now kept in the Silver Museum of the Palazzo Pitti, as well as in the Bargello National Museum, the Palatine Gallery, the National Archaeological Museum, the Uffizi Gallery and the Florentine Mosaic Museum (“Opificio delle pietre dure ”). All of them have come together in an impressive exhibition project of the Kremlin Museums to give the Russian audience the most complete picture of the splendor and splendor of the Medici court. Never before has our country hosted exhibitions of such a level dedicated to Italian arts and crafts. The current exposition is part of the program "Royal and Imperial Treasuries in the Kremlin", carried out by the Moscow Kremlin Museums since 2004, and is dedicated to the year of the Russian language and Russian culture in Italy and the year of the Italian language and Italian culture in Russia.
Representatives of the Medici dynasty ruled Florence from the 15th to the 18th centuries. The ascent of the family to the heights of power began with Cosimo the Elder, who managed to subjugate the entire city without even being recognized as its official head. The reign of Cosimo, and later - his grandson Lorenzo, nicknamed the Magnificent, became the "golden age" of Florence, which turned into one of the main centers of the Italian Renaissance. The power of the Medici was briefly interrupted after the death of Lorenzo, but already in the first decade of the 16th century the dynasty returned to its lost positions. With the help of Emperor Charles V, the Medici received the title of grand duke and continued to rule Florence (and later all of Tuscany) in this capacity for the next two hundred years. Only in the 17th century their authority began to weaken, and the accidental death of Gian Gastone, who left no heirs, the last representative of the family, cut off the dynastic line.
The Medici collection began under Giovanni di Bicci, father of Cosimo the Elder. The passion for collecting was inherited by all subsequent generations. Unable to boast of a high origin (according to legend, they descended from the court physician of Charlemagne), the Medici realized that the possession of exquisite and valuable things strengthens their status, demonstrating the education and culture of the owners and, as a result, contributes to the strengthening of political power. The Medici treasury includes crystal goblets, the most valuable antique vessels and cameos, coins and medals, precious vases, ivory objects with the finest carvings, small bronze sculptures, bizarre sculptures from shells, nautilus goblets in a precious frame, all kinds of jewelry. This world-famous collection became a model for subsequent rulers-collectors, a kind of "proto-museum" and a prototype of future European cabinets of curiosities.
Visitors to the exhibition at the Kremlin Museums will be able to see the best items carefully selected from the collection of Florentine rulers, to follow the formation and development of the collection. The exposition will be deployed in chronological order, representing the collecting interests of the Medici, starting with Lorenzo the Magnificent and ending with Anna Maria Luisa, who transferred her family treasures to Florence on the condition that they never leave the city. The objects shown in the exhibition associated with specific representatives of the dynasty are not only important as works of art, but are valuable historical evidence that allows one to penetrate into the character of their owners and better understand the historical environment in which they lived.
Thus, the first Medici preferred ancient monuments (or things “in antique taste”), which was very typical of the Renaissance as a whole. Representatives of the Italian ruling families wanted to see themselves as the successors of the Roman Republic, and the Medici were no exception. An important part of the exhibition will be a collection of gems. Visitors will see magnificent works of glyptics created in the ancient era, as well as cameos made on the basis of ancient models, with portraits of Florentine rulers who dreamed of being immortalized in accordance with the ancient Roman cult of famous men. One of the most interesting and unexpected monuments of this series is the portrait of Savonarola, a fanatical monk who preached in Florence at the end of the 15th century. After the death of Lorenzo the Magnificent, for some time he actually concentrated power over the city in his hands, but was subsequently executed. The cameo with the image of Savonarola, carved from carnelian by the famous master Giovanni delle Corniole (also called Carnelian), was kept in the collection of Cosimo I among the most valuable items. Of no less interest are gems with mythological images and scenes from Roman history - such as, for example, "The Fall of Phaethon" or "The Sacrifice of Mucius Scaevola". Another unique exhibit is connected with the influence of ancient mythology - a seal with a relief image of Hercules (considered the founder of Florence), one of the most significant symbols of the power of the Medici family.
Under the sons of Cosimo I, Francesco and Ferdinando, the collection was replenished with magnificent samples of "pietra dure" - products made of semiprecious stones, including vases of bizarre shapes in the form of various animals and birds. Grand Duke Francesco organized a manufactory, where the best Italian and foreign craftsmen worked, producing inimitable items from rock crystal, vessels from semiprecious stones and even porcelain. Subsequently, these disparate workshops were united under one roof of the Uffizi Gallery, reaching their peak during the reign of Ferdinand I and becoming the center of production of the so-called Florentine mosaic. Moscow viewers will be able to see magnificent examples of works in this technique - real stone paintings, including a portrait of Ferdinand I himself.
The Medici of the 17th century no longer resembled their glorious ancestors, being engaged not so much in the affairs of state and culture as in their own amusements, but the passion for collecting remained unchanged. Under Cosimo II, the next Duke of Florence, and his sons, in addition to traditional cameos, medals, vases and figurines, a large number of ivory works appeared in the family collection - from elegant figurines (for example, the figurine of the beloved dog of Mary Magdalene of Austria, the wife of Cosimo II, admiring the subtlety of execution ) to complex religious compositions.
Jewels associated with the name of the last representative of the Medici family, Anna Maria Louise, deserve special attention. Pendants and jewelry made of baroque pearls, gold, enamels and precious stones are real miniature sculptures, among which there are episodes from the commedia dell'arte, ancient mythology, figures of animals and birds. One of these sculptures is a golden cradle, inside of which is fixed a large baroque pearl depicting a duvet, from under which a baby's head is visible. This was a symbolic gift to Anna Maria Louise from her husband with the wish for the birth of a son and heir (a dream that never came true).
All items belonging to different representatives of the powerful dynasty will be displayed next to the portraits of the Medici family, not only the immediate rulers of Florence, but also their famous relatives - including Pope Leo X and the French queens Catherine and Maria Medici.
Simultaneously with the exposition in Moscow, the Palazzo Pitti will host the Treasury of the Kremlin exhibition. Thus, the Italian audience will also have the opportunity to get acquainted with the best exhibits stored in the collection of the Armory. Such an exchange of masterpieces will undoubtedly contribute to the rapprochement of our cultures.
