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The Palazzo Vecchio Museum and Tower
Piazza della Signoria http://www.visitflorence.com/florence-monuments/palazzo-vecchio.htmlAbout
AddressPiazza della SignoriaTicketMuseum: Full € 10 / Reduced € 8 Tower: € 6,50 Museum + Tower: € 14 In case of rain, the tower is closed but you can still visit the battlements (€ 2) The tower is closed to anyone under 6 years old and not recommended for anyone with walking difficulties or heart problems or asthma or anyone afraid of heights. Anyone under 18 has to be accompanied by an adult.ToursThere are several tours of Palazzo Vecchio you can take which include: » Palazzo Vecchio with a Tablet» Tour of the Secret Passages » A Guided Tour by Giorgio Vasari » Tour of the Monumental QuartersView entire list of tours at Palazzo Vecchio » Opening hoursMUSEUM: April-September: Open every day except for Thursday: 9am - midnight ; On Thursdays: 9am - 2pm. Including: April 1, May 1, June 2 and 24, August 15October-December: Every day except for Thursday: 9am - 7pm; Thursday: 9am-2pm. Special openings on October 13-28-29-30-31, November 1-2-3-10 and December 7-8-22-23-26-27-28-29-30: 9am - midnight. Closed on Christmas Day. MEZZANINE - LOESER COLLECTION: Every day except for Thursday: 9am-7pm. On Thursday and week day public holidays: 9am-2pm TOWER: April 1 - Sept. 30: Every day 9am-9pm (no admission after 8:30pm). On Thursdays, 9-2pm (no admission after 1:30pm) Oct. 1 - March 31: Every day 10am-5pm (no admission after 4:30pm). On Thursdays, 10-2pm (no admission after 1:30pm)BATTLEMENTS: You can visit them at night during the summer for just €2 extra to the cost of the museum and go up between 8-11pm. Just sign up at the ticket office. Groups of max 25 people allowed every 30 min. ROMAN RUINS: Reservations are free but required (at ticket office or by email at info.museoragazzi@comune.fi.it) if you want to visit the Roman ruins under Palazzo Vecchio. Mondays: 2:30-5:30pm (4 groups, 45 min each) Saturdays 10am-1pm (4 groups, 45 min each) Is time travel possible At Palazzo Vecchio it is, with a trip back into history to three eras. Palazzo Vecchio offers Roman ruins, a Medieval fortress and amazing Renaissance chambers and paintings. A microcosm where art and history have been indissolubly bound for centuries. Palazzo Vecchio is the main symbol of civil power for the city of Florence, whose original project is attributed to Arnolfo di Cambio. Construction on the solid fortress began in 1299 above the ruins of the destroyed Uberti Ghibelline towers, testimony of the final victory of the Guelph faction. The entire construction also rests on top of the ancient theater of the Roman colony of Florentia (dating back to the first century A.D.), whose ruins can be admired in the underground level. From the very beginning, the main section of Palazzo Vecchio was destined to host the city council which was composed of chief members the Guilds of Florence (the Priori) who governed the Republic of Florence. In 1342, the Duke of Athens, Walter VI of Brienne, enlarged Palazzo della Signoria towards Via della Ninna, giving it the appearance of a fortress and even adding a secret staircase for nightly exits. The severe medieval architecture conceals sumptuous halls and residential apartments. The Salone dei Cinquecento (Hall of the Five Hundred) was built from 1494 during the Republic of Fra' (friar) Girolamo Savonarola. The Hall is the largest and most important room in terms of artistic and historical value inside the palace. This impressive hall has a length of 54 meters, a width of 23 and a height of 18 meters. Paneled ceilings and large wall frescoes, golden decorations and imposing sculptures will leave you admiring in marvel. Salone dei Cinquecento Pier Soderini, who was appointed gonfaloniere for life, selected the two greatest Florentine artists of the time, Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo Buonarroti, for the construction of two large murals to decorate the walls of the room, with battle scenes depicting victories of the Republic. Leonardo
