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Piazza della Signoria is a historic square in Florence, Italy, in front of the Palazzo Vecchio. It has statues, fountains, palaces and a loggia with Renaissance art, and was the political center of the Florentine Republic.
- Politics
- Influence
- Main sights
- Exhibitions
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The Piazza della Signoria has been the center of political life in Florence since the 14th century with the prominent Palazzo Vecchio overlooking the square. It was the scene of great triumphs, such as the return of the Medici in 1530 as well as the Bonfire of the Vanities instigated by Savonarola, who was then himself burned at the stake here in 1...
Bandinelli's Hercules and Cacus (1534) to the right of the David was appropriated by the Medici to show their physical power after their return from exile.
The Nettuno (1575) by Ammannati celebrates the Medici's maritime ambitions and Giambologna's equestrian statue of Duke Cosimo I (1595) is an elegant portrait of the man who brought all of Tuscany under Medici military rule. [Update April, 2019] After two long years of restoration, the original splendor of the fountain has returned and it will be im...
Right behind the Loggia dei Lanzi is the Galleria degli Uffizi, also known as the Uffizi Gallery, Italy's top art museum.
Learn about the history and significance of Piazza della Signoria, the main square in Florence since the 14th century. See the sculptures, fountains and palaces that reflect the power and culture of the Florentine Republic and the Medici dynasty.
- Palazzo Vecchio (Palazzo della Signoria) The Palazzo Vecchio, one of the major attractions in Florence, is easy to spot, with its 91-meter tower looking over the piazza.
- Neptune Fountain. Piazza della Signoria's most impressive monument, and the square's centerpiece, is the Fonte di Piazza, created by Bartolomeo Ammanati to celebrate the wedding of Francesco de' Medici, son of Cosimo I, to Princess Johanna of Austria in 1565.
- Bargello Palace & National Museum. The massive Bargello Palace now houses the National Museum, containing an entire room devoted to Michelangelo and another to the lovely glazed terra cotta reliefs of Giovanni della Robbia.
- Loggia dei Lanzi. Also known as the Loggia della Signoria, the arcade was built between 1376 and 1382 and although it predates the Palazzo Vecchio, it forms a good counterpoint to its cubic brick lines.
- Donatello, Marzocco, 1416. In 1416, Donatello’s Marzocco was the first statue placed in the Piazza della Signoria. Carved by the greatest artist of the time, it was symbolic.
- Donatello, Judith and Holofernes. The second statue placed in the square couldn’t be more different. It was an avant garde piece also carved by Donatello that portrays a violent biblical scene.
- Michelangelo, David. When the Medici returned from exile, they replaced Judith and Holofernes with what is probably the world’s most famous sculpture, Michelangelo’s commanding statue of David.
- Cellini, Perseus. Cellini’s Perseus is one of the Renaissance’s most famous sculptures. Cellini was a goldsmith by profession. Perseus was his defining piece.
Learn about the history and art of Piazza della Signoria, the political center of Florence since the Middle Ages. See the famous sculptures, palaces and the Vasari Corridor that connects them.
Learn about the history and attractions of the Piazza della Signoria, the civic and political hub of Florence. See the Palazzo Vecchio, the Loggia dei Lanzi, the Fountain of Neptune and more.
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Jan 18, 2024 · Explore the most famous square in Florence, where art, politics, and culture meet. Learn about the ancient Roman origins, the medieval Palazzo Vecchio, the Renaissance sculptures, and the historical events that shaped this iconic place.