Florence - Piazza della Signoria

 The Piazza della Signoria is named after the Signoria of Florence, the government of the medieval and Renaissance Republic of Florence from 1250 to 1532. Dominated by the Palazzo Vecchio built in the 14th Century, it remains the heart of local government in Florence. 

Piazza della Signoria

Piazza della Signoria

Piazza della Signoria

The Palazzo Vecchio (old palace) was built to provide a secure and defensible in times of turbulence for the magistrates of the Florence Commune. Duke Cosimo I de' Medici moved his official seat to the Palazzo della Signoria in May 1540 the start of Medici power in Florence. 

Palazzo Vecchio

The palace became the seat of the newly united Italy's provisional government from 1865 to 1871 when Florence had become the temporary capital of the Kingdom of Italy.  Since 1872 it has housed the office of the mayor of Florence, and it is the seat of the City Council.

Palazzo Vecchio

Palazzo Vecchio

Palazzo Vecchio IJ

Palazzo Vecchio

At the entrance to the Palazzo Vecchio are statues of Michelangelo's David, and Bandinelli's  Hercules and Cacus.

Palazzo Vecchio Entrance Statues

Michelangelo's David

Bandinelli's Hercules and Cacus

The entrance to the Palazzo Vecchio leads through to a courtyard built within the palace.

Palazzo Vecchio inner courtyard

Palazzo Vecchio inner courtyard

The Loggia dei Lanzi located on a corner of the Piazza della Signoria adjoining the Uffizi Gallery. It is an open air sculpture gallery of antique and Renaissance art including the Medici lions, built between 1376 and 1382 .

Loggia dei Lanzi

The Fontana del Nettuno (Fountain of Neptune)  was commissioned by Cosimo I de' Medici in 1559 to celebrate the marriage of Francesco de' Medici I to Grand Duchess Joanna of Austria.  

 Fontana del Nettuno

 Fontana del Nettuno