Italy: Florence Part 18 - Piazza della Signoria
Aug 9, 2023 14:20:07 #
Our formal tour finally began with an orientation walk through the historic district and a stop at the Piazza Della Signoria.
Piazza della Signoria (Italian pronunciation: [ˈpjattsa della siɲɲoˈriːa]) is a w-shaped square in front of the Palazzo Vecchio in Florence, Italy. It was named after the Palazzo della Signoria, also called Palazzo Vecchio. It is the main point of the origin and history of the Florentine Republic and still maintains its reputation as the political focus of the city. It is the meeting place of Florentines as well as the numerous tourists, located near Palazzo Vecchio and Piazza del Duomo and gateway to Uffizi Gallery.
Buildings
The 14th-century Palazzo Vecchio is still preeminent with its crenellated tower. The square is also shared with the Loggia della Signoria, the Uffizi Gallery, the Palace of the Tribunale della Mercanzia (1359) (now the Bureau of Agriculture), and the Palazzo Uguccioni (1550, with a facade attributed to Raphael, who however died thirty years before its construction). Located in front of the Palazzo Vecchio is the Palace of the Assicurazioni Generali (1871, built in Renaissance style.
Palazzo Vecchio
The Palazzo Vecchio ("Old Palace") is the town hall of the city. This massive, Romanesque, crenellated fortress-palace is among the most impressive town halls of Tuscany. Overlooking the square with its copy of Michelangelo's David statue as well the gallery of statues in the adjacent Loggia dei Lanzi, it is one of the most significant private places in Italy, and it hosts cultural points and museums.
Originally called the Palazzo della Signoria, after the Signoria of Florence, the ruling body of the Republic of Florence, it was also given several other names: Palazzo del Popolo, Palazzo dei Priori, and Palazzo Ducale, in accordance with the varying use of the palace during its long history. The building acquired its current name when the Medici duke's residence was moved across the Arno to the Palazzo Pitti.
Loggia dei Lanzi
The Loggia dei Lanzi consists of wide arches open to the street, three bays wide and one bay deep. The arches rest on clustered columns with Corinthian capitals. The wide arches appealed so much to the Florentines, that Michelangelo even proposed that they should be continued all around the Piazza della Signoria. The vivacious construction of the Loggia is in stark contrast with the severe architecture of the Palazzo Vecchio. It is effectively an open-air sculpture gallery of antique and Renaissance art including the Medici lions.
Tribunale della Mercanzia
The Tribunale della Mercanzia (Tribunal of Merchandise) is a building where in the past lawyers judged in the trial between merchants. Here was a porch painted by Taddeo Gaddi, Antonio del Pollaiuolo and Sandro Botticelli, today stored in the Uffizi gallery.
Palazzo Uguccioni
Built for Giovanni Uguccioni since 1550, its design has been variously attributed to Raphael, Michelangelo, Bartolomeo Ammannati or Raffaello da Montelupo.
Palazzo delle Assicurazioni Generali
The Palazzo delle Assicurazioni Generali was designed in the Neo-Renaissance style in 1871, and is one of the very few purpose-built commercial buildings in the centre of the city. On the ground floor of this palace is the historical cafè Rivoire.
Other palaces
Other palaces are the palazzo dei Buonaguisi and the palazzo dell'Arte dei Mercatanti.
Statues
Various imposing statues ring this square including:
Copy of Michelangelo's David at the entrance of the Palazzo Vecchio; the original by Michelangelo is housed in the Galleria dell'Accademia, adjacent to the Gallery of the Academy of Fine Arts.
Equestrian Monument of Cosimo I, honoring Cosimo I de' Medici and sculpted by Giambologna (1594)
Fountain of Neptune by Bartolomeo Ammannati (1575)
Il Marzocco, (the Lion) with a copy of the Florentine Lily, originally made by Donatello (copy)
Judith and Holofernes, by Donatello (copy)
Hercules and Cacus, by Bandinelli (1533)
The Rape of the Sabine Women, in the Loggia dei Lanzi by Giambologna (1583)
Perseus with the Head of Medusa, in the Loggia dei Lanzi by Cellini (1554)
Medici lions, by Fancelli and Vacca (1598)
The piazza was already a central square in the original Roman town Florentia, surrounded by a theatre, Roman baths and a workshop for dyeing textiles. Later there was a church San Romolo, a loggia and an enormous 5th-century basilica. This was shown by the archaeological treasures found beneath the square when it was repaved in the 1980s. Even remains of a Neolithic site were found. The square started taking shape from 1268 on, when houses of Ghibellines were pulled down by the victorious Guelphs. The square remained a long time untidy, full of holes. In 1385 it was paved for the first time. In 1497 Girolamo Savonarola and his followers carried out on this square the famous Bonfire of the Vanities, burning in a large pile books, gaming tables, fine dresses, and works of poets. In front of the fountain of Neptune, a round marble plaque marks the exact spot where Girolamo Savonarola was hanged and burned on May 23, 1498.
For narratives on Florence and additional images, please see my previous posts:
https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-780452-1.html
https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-780574-1.html#14042094
https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-780644-1.html
https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-780747-1.html#14046442
https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-780857-1.html
https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-781066-1.html#14052114
https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-781155-1.html
https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-781361-1.html
https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-781570-1.html#14062411
https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-781764-1.html#14066381
https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-781877-1.html#14068369
https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-781969-1.html#14070561
https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-782046-1.html#14072302
https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-782130-1.html#14073789
https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-782224-1.html
https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-782434-1.html#14079836
https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-782523-1.html#14081820
I hope you enjoy these!
Mark
Piazza della Signoria (Italian pronunciation: [ˈpjattsa della siɲɲoˈriːa]) is a w-shaped square in front of the Palazzo Vecchio in Florence, Italy. It was named after the Palazzo della Signoria, also called Palazzo Vecchio. It is the main point of the origin and history of the Florentine Republic and still maintains its reputation as the political focus of the city. It is the meeting place of Florentines as well as the numerous tourists, located near Palazzo Vecchio and Piazza del Duomo and gateway to Uffizi Gallery.
Buildings
The 14th-century Palazzo Vecchio is still preeminent with its crenellated tower. The square is also shared with the Loggia della Signoria, the Uffizi Gallery, the Palace of the Tribunale della Mercanzia (1359) (now the Bureau of Agriculture), and the Palazzo Uguccioni (1550, with a facade attributed to Raphael, who however died thirty years before its construction). Located in front of the Palazzo Vecchio is the Palace of the Assicurazioni Generali (1871, built in Renaissance style.
Palazzo Vecchio
The Palazzo Vecchio ("Old Palace") is the town hall of the city. This massive, Romanesque, crenellated fortress-palace is among the most impressive town halls of Tuscany. Overlooking the square with its copy of Michelangelo's David statue as well the gallery of statues in the adjacent Loggia dei Lanzi, it is one of the most significant private places in Italy, and it hosts cultural points and museums.
Originally called the Palazzo della Signoria, after the Signoria of Florence, the ruling body of the Republic of Florence, it was also given several other names: Palazzo del Popolo, Palazzo dei Priori, and Palazzo Ducale, in accordance with the varying use of the palace during its long history. The building acquired its current name when the Medici duke's residence was moved across the Arno to the Palazzo Pitti.
Loggia dei Lanzi
The Loggia dei Lanzi consists of wide arches open to the street, three bays wide and one bay deep. The arches rest on clustered columns with Corinthian capitals. The wide arches appealed so much to the Florentines, that Michelangelo even proposed that they should be continued all around the Piazza della Signoria. The vivacious construction of the Loggia is in stark contrast with the severe architecture of the Palazzo Vecchio. It is effectively an open-air sculpture gallery of antique and Renaissance art including the Medici lions.
Tribunale della Mercanzia
The Tribunale della Mercanzia (Tribunal of Merchandise) is a building where in the past lawyers judged in the trial between merchants. Here was a porch painted by Taddeo Gaddi, Antonio del Pollaiuolo and Sandro Botticelli, today stored in the Uffizi gallery.
Palazzo Uguccioni
Built for Giovanni Uguccioni since 1550, its design has been variously attributed to Raphael, Michelangelo, Bartolomeo Ammannati or Raffaello da Montelupo.
Palazzo delle Assicurazioni Generali
The Palazzo delle Assicurazioni Generali was designed in the Neo-Renaissance style in 1871, and is one of the very few purpose-built commercial buildings in the centre of the city. On the ground floor of this palace is the historical cafè Rivoire.
Other palaces
Other palaces are the palazzo dei Buonaguisi and the palazzo dell'Arte dei Mercatanti.
Statues
Various imposing statues ring this square including:
Copy of Michelangelo's David at the entrance of the Palazzo Vecchio; the original by Michelangelo is housed in the Galleria dell'Accademia, adjacent to the Gallery of the Academy of Fine Arts.
Equestrian Monument of Cosimo I, honoring Cosimo I de' Medici and sculpted by Giambologna (1594)
Fountain of Neptune by Bartolomeo Ammannati (1575)
Il Marzocco, (the Lion) with a copy of the Florentine Lily, originally made by Donatello (copy)
Judith and Holofernes, by Donatello (copy)
Hercules and Cacus, by Bandinelli (1533)
The Rape of the Sabine Women, in the Loggia dei Lanzi by Giambologna (1583)
Perseus with the Head of Medusa, in the Loggia dei Lanzi by Cellini (1554)
Medici lions, by Fancelli and Vacca (1598)
The piazza was already a central square in the original Roman town Florentia, surrounded by a theatre, Roman baths and a workshop for dyeing textiles. Later there was a church San Romolo, a loggia and an enormous 5th-century basilica. This was shown by the archaeological treasures found beneath the square when it was repaved in the 1980s. Even remains of a Neolithic site were found. The square started taking shape from 1268 on, when houses of Ghibellines were pulled down by the victorious Guelphs. The square remained a long time untidy, full of holes. In 1385 it was paved for the first time. In 1497 Girolamo Savonarola and his followers carried out on this square the famous Bonfire of the Vanities, burning in a large pile books, gaming tables, fine dresses, and works of poets. In front of the fountain of Neptune, a round marble plaque marks the exact spot where Girolamo Savonarola was hanged and burned on May 23, 1498.
For narratives on Florence and additional images, please see my previous posts:
https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-780452-1.html
https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-780574-1.html#14042094
https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-780644-1.html
https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-780747-1.html#14046442
https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-780857-1.html
https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-781066-1.html#14052114
https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-781155-1.html
https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-781361-1.html
https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-781570-1.html#14062411
https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-781764-1.html#14066381
https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-781877-1.html#14068369
https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-781969-1.html#14070561
https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-782046-1.html#14072302
https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-782130-1.html#14073789
https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-782224-1.html
https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-782434-1.html#14079836
https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-782523-1.html#14081820
I hope you enjoy these!
Mark
Gail reflected in the window of the luthier's studio. A luthier is a craftsperson who builds or repairs string instruments that have a neck and a sound box.
(Download)
The tower of the Palazzo Vecchio
(Download)
Bridge from the Palazzo Vecchio to the Uffizi. It was built by the Grand Duke Cosimo I de' Medici in 1564.
(Download)
Loggia dei Lanzi
(Download)
Hercules and Cacus Statue in Front of Palazzo Vecchio by Bandinelli (1533)
(Download)
Neptune's Fountain was built by Bartolomeo Ammannati in 1575. The face of Neptune resembles that of Cosimo I de' Medici, which alludes to Florence's rule of the sea.
(Download)
Copy of Michelangelo's David at the entrance of the Palazzo Vecchio; the original by Michelangelo is housed in the Galleria dell'Accademia.
(Download)
Front View of Hercules and Cacus, by Bandinelli (1533)
(Download)
Fountain of Neptune by Bartolomeo Ammannati (1575)
(Download)
The Palazzo Vecchio, built by Arnolfo di Cambio in 1299 is the Florence Town Hall
(Download)
Aug 9, 2023 14:21:11 #
Aug 9, 2023 14:50:45 #
Aug 9, 2023 15:53:39 #
Aug 9, 2023 16:32:08 #
NMGal wrote:
They do like their statues!
I think Florence is the sculpture capital if the world which is great since I love sculpture. Thanks Barbara.
Aug 9, 2023 16:32:28 #
Aug 9, 2023 17:39:37 #
Very nice work, Mark! Even if Gail is only a pale shadow of herself. Did you get to the Uffizi?
Aug 9, 2023 17:56:34 #
UTMike wrote:
Very nice work, Mark! Even if Gail is only a pale shadow of herself. Did you get to the Uffizi?
Thanks Mike. She was not in a posing mood so I got her completely unaware. Uffizi to come.
Aug 9, 2023 18:12:19 #
Aug 9, 2023 18:26:10 #
kpmac wrote:
Very nice set, Mark. Even without the rain.
Thanks very much Ken. It was drizzling on and off.
Aug 10, 2023 05:53:11 #
Aug 10, 2023 07:54:30 #
Wow, wonderful set, Mark. You captured all the highlights of the square. Loved seeing the iconic statues. Happy to see you had a dry day..😊
Aug 10, 2023 08:53:45 #
Aug 10, 2023 09:00:27 #
Aug 10, 2023 09:12:25 #
If you want to reply, then register here. Registration is free and your account is created instantly, so you can post right away.