Florence Piazza della Signoria sculptures. Piazza della Signoria in Florence: a free open-air museum. Description of the statue of David

In Piazza della Signoria in the famous Italian city Florence has many remarkable places, so many tourists visit it first. This place is located in front of the Palazzo Vecchio and includes many unique sculptures, including “Perseus with the Head of Medusa”, “David” and other masterpieces. The square in Florence boasts rich history, because she has experienced many events in her existence.

Area and historical eras

Piazza della Signoria was built in ancient times by the Romans at the intersection of all roads. All the ancient buildings on it, including the Roman theater, have not survived to this day. After construction, the square often changed its appearance, and its current appearance was completely formed at the end of the 18th century.

This place was not always called Signoria. Previously it was called the Square of the Priors, the Grand Duke and the Nation. It is worth noting that in ancient times the Inquisition burned bonfires here in order to gain the respect of the inhabitants of Florence. The famous dictator Savonarola was burned alive in the square in 1498, who himself actively made bonfires from paintings, books and other objects. A reminder of his execution is a round slab near the Neptune Fountain, on the pavement.

Notable places in Piazza della Signoria

Most of the sculptures in the square are copies, except for Cellini's Perseus. The main attractions of this place are the following:

  • Neptune's Fountain. Erected in 1575 in honor of the naval victories of Florence. The structure has an octagonal tank and an ensemble of sculptures. At its very center is Neptune, the god of the seas. The fountain was subject to frequent attacks by vandals and was also used for washing clothes in the 16th century.
  • Palazzo Vecchio. Luxurious palace in Florence, it is made in the shape of a square with a jagged top. A 94-meter-high tower rises above the gallery, adding to the grandeur of the building. At the entrance to the palace there are marble sculptures. On the stairs leading to the Palazzo Vecchio there is a figure of a lion, which represents the symbol of Florence. Under the arches of the gallery there are frescoes depicting the coats of arms of the city communes. The clock mechanism on the tower was wound up in 1667.
  • Loggia Lanzi. It is considered very interesting place in Piazza della Signoria, which at one time was intended for receptions of the Republic. This stunning museum is currently under open air you can see the works of famous masters, including “Hercules and the Centaur”, “Perseus”, “The Rape of the Sabine Women”, stone lions and other ancient statues. All of them are made of marble, except for “Perseus”, which is cast in bronze. Previously, the Loggia was used as a balcony from which the Medici family watched the events in the Signoria and in Florence itself. On the roof there was a magnificent hanging garden, protecting the Loggia from the sun.
    Palace of the Commercial Court. The building was built on the eastern side of Signoria. On the upper tier of the façade there are copies of the coats of arms of the guilds of Florence.
  • Uguccioni Palace. The building was erected in 1550 in the northern part of the square. The palace is an example of late Renaissance architecture.

Statues in the square

In Piazza della Signoria, the statue of Michelangelo’s “David” also deserves special attention, which is one of the main masterpieces of art. The 5-meter-high sculpture represents the desire of the republic's inhabitants for independence.

Next to “David” is “Hercules defeating Cacus” by Bandinelli. Behind this composition you can see a flat stone on which a human profile is depicted. According to legend, Michelangelo bet that, standing with his back to the stone, he would carve on it a portrait of a criminal who was going to be hanged in the square. The statue of “Judith with the Head of Holofernes” by master Donatello was originally made for the Medici Palace, but the Republic ordered it to be moved to the Piazza della Signoria.

Piazza della Signoria has gathered a lot of famous historical objects. It is located next to the others remarkable places Florence, easily accessible even on foot.

Florence is one of the most popular tourist cities in Italy. Florence is known as one of largest centers Italian Renaissance and has ancient history, dating back to the Roman period. Florence is home to some of the best museums In Italy, you can also see magnificent cathedrals and churches, walk along historical streets and squares, and go shopping in local stores. Below we provide a list of the main and most popular historical monuments Florence. Most of Florence's main attractions are located in the historical center of the city.

Piazza della Signoria and Palazzo Vecchio

Florence's most famous square, Piazza della Signoria, is located in the heart of the historical center of the city. The history of the square begins in the Roman period, when a theater was located on its territory. During the Middle Ages, the square became the main center of political life in the Republic of Florence. The square housed the palace of the government of the republic, known as Palazzo Vecchio. The palace was built according to the designs of Arnolfo di Cambio between 1298 and 1310. It was in the building of the palace that the premises for those condemned to death were located, here Cosimo de' Medici was imprisoned, and here they passed last days Savonarola. It was in the window openings of the palace that the participants in the Pazzi conspiracy, who committed attempts on the life of Lorenzo the Magnificent, were hanged. After the abolition of the Republic, the palace became the residence of the Grand Dukes of Tuscany from the Medici dynasty.

Piazza della Signoria is famous for its sculptural monuments; unfortunately, most of the monuments are copies. The original among the sculptures of the square is the statue of Cellini “Perseus”. Among the monuments in the square you can see "David" by Michelangelo, "Judith with the Head of Holofernes" by Donatello, as well as the Fountain of Neptune, created by Bartolomeo Ammanati on the occasion of the marriage of Duke Francesco de' Medici in 1570.

Duomo - Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore

The Florentine Duomo (Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore) is rightfully one of the most famous attractions of the city, which during the Renaissance was called one of the wonders of the world. The huge Gothic cathedral was designed by several architects. The original project belonged to Arnolfo di Cambio, after which the project was finalized by Filippo Brunelleschi and Giotto. Construction of the cathedral took place intermittently starting in 1296 and was completed only in 1436. The cathedral can accommodate up to 20,000 parishioners. One of the main attractions of the cathedral is the famous dome, designed by Brunelleschi and which is one of the symbols of the city. The Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore witnessed a number of historical events; here in 1478 an attempt was made on the lives of Lorenzo and Giuliano Medici; Savanorola read his sermons from the cathedral pulpit.

In the interior of the cathedral, the famous Uccello clock stands out, installed in 1443 and operating to this day (the uniqueness of the clock is the reverse movement of the hands). The walls of the cathedral are decorated with frescoes depicting prominent urban figures of Florence during the Middle Ages, including Dante. The tombs of Giotto and Brunelleschi are located on the territory of the cathedral.

Monuments of Florence: Baptistery of San Giovanni

The Baptistery of St. John the Baptist (Baptistery of San Giovanni) is located in Piazza del Duomo, next to the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore and Giotto's Campanile. The Baptistery of San Giovanni is one of the oldest surviving buildings in Florence. The baptistery building was built in the Romanesque style between 1059 and 1129. Until the 19th century, it was here that the baptism ceremony of all the infants of Florence took place, including the poet Dante Alighieri and all representatives of the Medici dynasty.

The internal vault of the building's dome is decorated with Byzantine mosaics from the 13th-14th centuries. The unique marble floor of the building contains images of the zodiac signs. On the territory of the building is the famous tomb of Antipope John XXIII, the work of Donatello and Michelozzo. The Baptistery of San Giovanni is open to the public every day from 12.00 to 19.00; on holidays and Sundays the building is open from 8:30 to 14:00.

Giotto's Campanile - architectural monument of Florence

Giotto's Campanile (Giotto's Bell Tower) is located in Piazza del Duomo and is a bell tower cathedral Santa Maria del Fiore. Construction of the bell tower, designed by Giotto, began in 1334 and, after several interruptions, was completed in 1359. The height of the bell tower is 84.7 meters (according to Giotto's design, the height of the tower should have been 122 meters).

A separate part of the building consists of unique bas-reliefs of the bell tower, located on the lower tiers of the building, created in the 14th and 15th centuries by such masters as Giotto, Andrea Pisano and Luca della Robbia. In the niches of the third tier of the building there are 16 sculptural figures, many of which are works by Donatello, now replaced by copies (the originals of the statues can be seen in the Cathedral Museum). A staircase of 414 steps leads to the top of the bell tower. From the top of the bell tower opens beautiful view to the cathedral and dome of Santa Maria del Fiore, as well as to the city of Florence and its surroundings.

Ponte Vecchio

Famous bridge Ponte Vecchio (Old Bridge), was built in 1345 according to the design of the architect Neri di Fioravanti. The distinctive feature of the bridge is the houses located on both sides. Above the buildings there is a superstructure called the Vasari Corridor, created specifically for Cosimo de' Medici so that the Duke could safely pass from Palazzo Pitti to Palazzo Vecchio, since there were butchers' shops on the bridge, from which an unpleasant smell emanated. In the central part of the corridor there is Observation deck, specially created for Hitler's visit. The Ponte Vecchio was Florence's first bridge over the Arno River and is Florence's only surviving medieval bridge (the others were destroyed during World War II). Ponte Vecchio is located at the narrowest point of the Arno River, near the Uffizi Gallery.

Uffizi Gallery

The Uffizi Gallery is one of the most famous and largest museums in Florence and Europe. The museum houses one of the largest collections of Italian Renaissance art. The Uffizi Gallery is one of the most visited museums in Italy, with approximately 1.5 million people visiting each year. The museum is housed in a palace built by Giorgio Vasari between 1560 and 1581. The placement of the collection and the transformation of the palace into a museum began in 1575. The main part of the museum exhibition was the private collection of the Medici dynasty. The museum displays works by such outstanding Renaissance masters as Giotto, Leonardo da Vinci, Sandro Botticelli, Michelangelo, Giorgione, Raphael, Titian, Uccello and Fra Filippo Lippi. Among the famous exhibits of the museum are the paintings “Spring” and “The Birth of Venus” by Botticelli, “The Adoration of the Magi” and “The Annunciation” by Leonardo da Vinci, and “Venus of Urbino” by Titian.

In addition to the Renaissance collection, the museum has an extensive exhibition dedicated to ancient, Spanish, German, French and Flemish art. The museum is open to the public from 8.15 to 18.50 from Tuesday to Sunday. Closed days: Monday, January 1, May 1 and December 25.

Academy of Fine Arts

The Academy of Fine Arts in Florence (Accademia di belle arti di Firenze) was founded in 1561. The Academy of Fine Arts is famous for its collection of sculptures from the 13th to 16th centuries. Among the museum's exhibits you can see the original of one of the most famous statues of the world, “David” and “Prisoners” by Michelangelo, as well as “The Rape of the Sabine Women” by Giambologna. The museum presents a rich collection of Florentine painting of the 15th-16th centuries. A separate museum exhibition consists of a collection musical instruments Medici family.

Boboli Gardens and Pitti Palace

Palazzo Pitti is the largest palace complex located in Florence. Palazzo Pitti originally served as the residence of the Medici family, and subsequently the Dukes of Lorraine and the royal family of Italy. The length of the palace facade reaches 205 meters, the height is 38 meters. The interior of the palace is luxurious with an abundance of gold stucco, tapestries, frescoes and silk wallpaper.

Today the palazzo is the largest museum in Florence. On the territory of the palace complex there are the Gallery of Modern Art, the Palatine Gallery, the Porcelain Museum, the Silver Museum, the Carriage Museum, as well as the largest Italian museum of fashion history - the Costume Gallery.

In the Palatine Gallery you can see the world's largest collection of paintings by Raphael, as well as paintings by Rubens, Tintoretto, Caravaggio, Titian, and Van Dyck. The painting of the gallery halls by Pietro da Cortona is unique.

The Silver Museum houses a private collection of vases that belonged to Lorenzo the Magnificent. Here you can see Roman amphorae, Persian vases from the Sassanian era, as well as examples of vases from Venice and Byzantium. The main part of the collection is represented by Jewelry works by European masters, including a miniature version of Piazza della Signoria made of gold and precious stones.

Just behind the Palazzo Pitti building on the hills is one of the most famous Italian parks of the Renaissance period - the Boboli Gardens. The Boboli Gardens were founded in the 16th century at the request of the wife of Duke Cosimo de' Medici, Eleanor of Toledo. The park project was designed by Niccolò Tribolo, Bartolomeo Ammanati and Giorgio Vasari. On the territory of the park there are sculptures by Bernardo Buontalenti, who also created designs for a special grotto separating the park and the palazzo. The park contains: an amphitheater, which served as the venue for the first opera performances; in the middle of the amphitheater there is an ancient Egyptian obelisk taken from Luxor; On the main park path you can see the Neptune Fountain.

Monuments of Florence: Santa Croce

The Basilica of Santa Croce is located in the heart of Florence and is the largest Franciscan church in Italy in the world. According to legend, Santa Croce was founded by Saint Francis of Assisi. Construction of the current building began in 1294 and was completed in 1442, when the basilica was consecrated by Pope Eugene IV. The building was built in the Gothic style.

The interior walls are decorated with numerous frescoes and sculptures by Giotto, Donatello, Antonio Canova and many other prominent Italian masters. The basilica houses the tombs of prominent figures of Italy - Dante Alighieri, Niccolo Machiavelli, Galileo Galilei, Michelangelo Buonarroti, Guglielmo Marconi and Enrico Fermi. In total, there are about three hundred burial places of prominent Italians on the territory of the temple. The Basilica of Santa Croce is open to the public from Monday to Saturday from 9.30 to 17.30 and on Sunday from 13.00 to 15.30.

The main attractions of Florence: squares

Florence is known for its historic piazzas, which are attractions and open-air museums in their own right. The most famous square of the city is Piazza della Signoria, located in the city center near the Uffizi Gallery. Piazza del Duomo is small in size and is practically occupied by the buildings of the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, the Baptistery and Giotto's bell tower.

Republic Square is one of the largest areas city, on which luxury hotels and expensive cafes are located, as well as a carousel for children.

Piazza Santa Croce is located near the banks of the Arno River and is one of the largest squares in Florence. Festivals, concerts and rallies are regularly held on the square. The square is surrounded medieval buildings, including the Franciscan Basilica of Santa Croce.

In Piazza Santo Spirito there are cafes, restaurants, as well as the Florentine food market, which is open daily from 8.00 to 14.00. On Sundays there is a big event in Piazza Santo Spirito. swap meet antiques.

Piazzale Michelangelo is located in the Oltrarne district. The square is located on a hill above Florence and is the best place to observe the landscape of the city and its surroundings. On the square there is a copy of the statue of Michelangelo's David. In addition, the area is popular tourist center, here you can see many souvenir shops.

Shopping in Florence

Florence is famous for some of the best stores in Europe. In Florence you can buy leather goods, clothing, paper products and jewelry, as well as wonderful souvenirs and locally produced handicrafts. Florence has a number of open markets selling food, clothing and antiques. The most famous is the market located around Piazza San Lorenzo, where you can find leather goods. One more wonderful place is Nuovo Mercato (Porcellino) on Via Porta Rossa. The best place to buy groceries in Florence is Mercato Centrale.

When walking around Florence, it’s simply impossible not to stumble upon Piazza della Signoria! It is surrounded by the Uffizi Gallery, the Vecchio Bridge, the Palazzo Vecchio... and many other attractions. The square itself has an irregular shape - shaped like the letter “L” - and there are restaurants along its entire perimeter.

When I was in Florence, this square became my meeting place with friends. It is enough to simply designate one of the many sculptures where you will wait for each other, and you will never get lost.

How to get there

Piazza della Signoria is located in the heart of Florence and is easily accessible on foot from its famous basilicas and attractions.

But if you are in areas far from the center of Florence, you will have to use public transport.

From the Basilica di San Miniato or Piazzale Michelangelo you can take the bus number D. To do this, you need to go towards the promenade to the stop Lupo - Il Chiosco Potenza and go to the stop Ponte Vecchio, which is located next to famous bridge. From there you only have to walk a couple of minutes to the square.

From the San Marco Museum you can take bus number 23 from the Piazza di San Marco stop to Tintori. Then, again, you need to walk a little to the square.

Story

Time for a change

Piazza della Signoria has been known since Ancient Rome. As was customary, the Romans left open areas in the city center at the intersection of main roads. Initially, it was of a practical nature - there was a theater and artisan shops there.

Later, 36 towers were built here, in which the Uberti family lived. Its members were adherents of the emperor and belonged to the Ghibelline party. It must be said that the main opponents of the Ghibellines were the Guelphs - supporters of the trend that supported the papacy and opposed the empire. At that time, there was a fierce political struggle between them. In 1260 the Guelphs gained the upper hand. They drove the Uberti family out of the square and demolished all 36 towers in which it was located. Since then, the square began to take on the familiar shape that we see now.

Name

In total, the square had several names. Initially it was Priori Square, later – Grand Duke Square, then – Nations Square. In 1310, the Vecchio Palace was erected on the square, where the government of the Florentine Republic began to meet. Then it received its new and last name to date: Piazza della Signoria.

As soon as the seat of power appeared on the square, various sculptures were erected here to inspire members of the government.

Sculptures

On either side of the main entrance to the Vecchia Palace there are two statues: “David” and “Hercules defeating Cacus”.

"David"

The sculpture “David” by Michelangelo is a symbol of the Florentine Republic. Initially, it was installed in Piazza della Signoria. To avoid damage from exposure to precipitation, the original sculpture was moved to the Academy of Fine Arts of Florence, and a copy was left on the square.

David is depicted before the fight with Goliath. This presentation of the hero became an innovation, because previously it was customary to depict David precisely at the moment of the triumph of victory.

Of course, you want to look at the sculpture from all sides, but its all-round view in Piazza della Signoria is impossible - David is installed with his back to the wall.

"Hercules defeating Cactus"

The sculpture depicts Cacus before his death at the hands of Hercules. There are several legends dedicated to this story. The most famous one says that Cacus stole the cows of Hercules. After a long search, Hercules found his cows. Hearing their lowing from Cacus's cave, Hercules, out of anger, killed him with a club, destroyed the cave and erected an altar of Eurysian Zeus in this place.

According to legend, the statue is obscured by a stone in the wall where Michelangelo scratched a human profile. It was a portrait of a criminal who was being hanged in the square at that moment.

“Judith with the head of Holofernes”

The sculpture of Donatello's hand is installed near central entrance to the palace. Expressive and complex in composition, the bronze Judith cuts off the head of Holofernes. The heroine is depicted in a simple robe - thereby she personifies the boundless inner feminine strength and courage given by God.

The Head of Judith is considered a perfect example of an Early Renaissance creation.

It seems to me that her detached, cruel gaze, directed straight ahead, gives her face some kind of extraordinary expression.

"Mardzocco"

The statue of a lion with a shield depicting the coat of arms of Florence is another creation of Donatello’s hands. The statue was originally created for the courtyard of the basilica, but was later moved to the Bargello Museum. An exact copy is installed in Piazza della Signoria.

The lion, a symbol of the patron saint of Florence, Evangelist Mark, also became, under the name Marzocco, a symbol of Florence itself.

Neptune Fountain

The Neptune Fountain is located in the very center of the square. Its creator was the sculptor Bartolomeo Ammanati. Sculpture group It has an octagonal shape, in the center there is a figure of Neptune, made of white marble. He is surrounded by mythical sea creatures.

Ammanati took ten years to build the fountain. At that time, the still novice master Giambologna helped him in his work - it was he who created the sea inhabitants surrounding Neptune. Personally, it seems to me that the nymphs turned out unnatural and pretentious.

They tried to make Neptune's face look like the face of Cosimo de' Medici in order to emphasize that it was under this ruler that she gained access to the sea.

When I was in Florence, the fountain was only turned on in the evening. With the onset of darkness, it was also illuminated, which gave it majesty and the whole square - mystery.

Loggia Lanzi

It stands perpendicular to the Palazzo Vecchio. The Loggia was originally intended for receptions and meetings of the Florentine Republic, and is now an open-air museum housing sculptures from the collection of the Uffizi Gallery. Opera and instrumental concerts are often held at the Loggia during the summer months.

I’ll tell you in more detail about some of the sculptures located in the Loggia Lanzi.

"Perseus with the Head of Medusa"

Perhaps the most famous statue Loggias. It was created by Benvenuto Cellini commissioned by Cosimo de' Medici. During the creation of the sculpture, constant problems arose. At first, Cosimo wanted the head of the medusa to hang from Perseus's hand. Casting a head in this way seemed almost impossible, but the sculptor coped with the task.

Later, the customer refused to pay for Benvenuto’s work; moreover, he wanted to accuse him of embezzlement, because I couldn’t even imagine how much time and material it actually takes to make a sculpture. When Benvenuto ran out of money to implement his ideas, in order to avoid the ruler’s wrath, he threw all the metal utensils in the house into the stove, and so that the fire in the stove would not go out, the artist lit it with his furniture. As a result, Benvenuto received money for his creation, gained fame and honor. Perseus with the Head of Medusa is his most famous work!

"Menelaus with the body of Patroclus"

The history of the creation of this sculpture is not known for certain.

The remains of the marble masterpiece were found in Rome and were acquired by Cosimo de' Medici. He instructed the sculptors to carry out the “restoration” of the destroyed and disfigured statue.

“Hercules and the Centaur”

Giambologna's most "plastic" sculpture. The accuracy and realism of the rendering of bodies is amazing: every vein, every muscle and vertebra is visible.

Even for a second it seemed to me that living people were chained in marble.

“The Rape of the Sabine Women”

According to legend, the ancient city was inhabited only by men. They were poor, and the neighboring settlements did not want to marry their daughters to the poor Romans.

Then the Romans held a holiday and invited their neighbors - the Latins and Sabines. During the holiday, the Romans rushed at the unarmed, unsuspecting guests and kidnapped their girls and women.

"The Kidnapping of Polyxena"

The work of the sculptor Pio Fedi is based on a very romantic and beautiful mythological story about how Achilles fell in love with the daughter of Priam, against whom he fought.

In order to be with his beloved Polyxena, Achilles betrayed his compatriots and went over to the side of the enemy. But he, unarmed, was treacherously killed by Paris right before his wedding with Polyxena. After the capture of Troy, a voice from the grave of Achilles demanded its share of the spoils. Then the Greeks sacrificed Polyxena.

It is worth saying that all the sculptures located on the square or in the Loggia are copies of famous works. The only original is “Perseus with the Head of Medusa”.

Piazza della Signoria is wonderful both during the day and in the evening. Walking through the stuffy little streets of Florence, it’s always nice to step out into the square and take a breath more air. Spend a wonderful evening sitting with a glass of wine on one of the terraces, enjoying the illuminated sculptures and live music that so often sounds in summer days in Piazza della Signoria.

Piazza della Signoria (Florence, Italy) - description, history, location, reviews, photos and videos.

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Situated in front of the Palazzo Vecchio, Piazza della Signoria is home to a wealth of interesting sculptures - from Michelangelo's David to Donatello's Judith and Holofernes and Cellini's Perseus with the Head of Medusa. At one time, the Holy Inquisition and prominent political figures of the republic held bonfires here in order to gain the love of the townspeople. By the latter we mean, of course, the legendary Savanarola, who, calling for the fight against luxury, lit such a fire of books, clothes, paintings and musical instruments that the devils became sick. A year later, in 1498, the Inquisition was already frolicking here, burning Savanarola himself at the stake. As you can see, the square has a rich history.

If we return to the architectural charm of Piazza della Signoria, then there is something here to please the taste of even the most reverent art lovers. The L-shaped square is a one-of-a-kind allegorical cycle of statues, intended to inspire the rulers of the Republic of Florence on their way to the Palazzo Vecchio. It seems that the square coped with its task with a “five plus” rating. To understand why, it is enough to take a closer look at the copies of the masterpieces that stand here in silent silence under the light of the moon for years for the amusement of the public.

For example, “David” by Michelangelo (1501-1504), whom every schoolchild today can recognize, and every Italian entrepreneur is in a hurry to sell an apron depicting David’s piquant exposed body parts to tourists. The sculpture was created during the Second Florentine Republic, when Savanarola came to power after expelling the Medici. So, Goliath, with whom David is about to fight, meant the French king Charles VIII and Pope Alexander VI Borgia, who tried to capture Florence.

It is also worth paying attention to “Judith with the Head of Holofernes” by Donatello (1455-1460), which, by the way, was first made for the Medici Palace, but with the announcement of the Republic was moved to Piazza della Signoria. Donatello's hand in the square owns a couple more sculptures - this is "Marzocco" (a lion with an iris on a shield) and two stone lions near the Lanzi loggia.

To the right of the entrance to the Old Palace stands majestically “Hercules defeating Cacus” by Baccio Bandinelli.

Note the stone with a scrawled human profile behind the sculpture. According to legend, Michelangelo left it here, betting that he could carve a portrait of a scoundrel who was about to be hanged in the square, with his back turned to the stone.

It is also worth paying attention to the Neptune Fountain by Bartolomeo Ammanati, which appeared on the square on the occasion of the wedding of Francesco I de' Medici (1570). Finally, the amazing work of the Loggia Lanzi, built from 1376 to 1382 by Benci di Cione and Simone di Francesco Talenti. Intended for meetings and receptions of the Florentine Republic, today this loggia is a real open-air museum. Of course, the main local attractions are sculptures of ancient heroes, in particular “The Rape of Polyxena” by Pio Fedi, “Hercules and the Centaur” and “The Rape of the Sabine Women” by Giambologna, “Perseus with the Head of Medusa” by Cellini.

Almost all the sculptures in Piazza della Signoria are copies. The only exception is Cellini's Perseus.

Address: Piazza della Signoria

Piazza della Signoria in Florence - the main square of Florence, located in front of the ("Old Palace") in the city center, serving as the gateway to. The square was named after Palazzo della Signoria, now called. Over the course of its history, it has changed several names: Priori Square, Grand Duke Square and Nation Square.

Piazza della Signoria is the beginning and center of the Florentine Republic, and to this day it retains its reputation as the political center of the city. There are numerous sculptures on the square (but copies - the originals were carefully hidden in), among which the most famous are the Fountain of Neptune and the sculpture of David. There is only one original sculpture left - “Perseus” by Cellini.

Many important buildings of the city overlook Piazza della Signoria:

Palazzo Vecchio

The majestic 14th-century building, the City Hall of Florence, dominates the square. The massive Romanesque building with battlements is one of the most impressive city halls in the whole and one of the most significant public buildings in Italy. The original palace was called Palazzo della Signoria, in honor of the government body of the Florentine Republic - the Signoria. But later the building changed a number of names, depending on the changing functions of the building: Palazzo del Popolo, Palazzo dei Priori, And Palazzo Ducale. The current name - "Old Palace" - appeared after the residence of the Medici Dukes was moved from this building to the opposite side of the Arno River, in.

Loggia dei Lanzi

Loggia Lanzi was built in 1376 - 1382 according to the design of Simone di Francesco and Benci di Cioni for meetings and receptions of the Florentine Republic. Now this loggia, with its numerous sculptures, has literally turned into an open-air museum. Here you can admire magnificent works depicting ancient heroes. Among the plots you can find “ The Kidnapping of Polyxena" works by Pio Fedi, "Perseus with the Head of Medusa" works by Cellini, as well as "Hercules and the Centaur" And "The Rape of the Sabine Women" works by Giambologna.

The Loggia Lanzi consists of wide arches facing the street. The vaults rest on pilasters with Corinthian capitals. The residents of Florence liked the wide arches so much that Michelangelo even proposed to continue them along the perimeter of the entire Piazza della Signoria. The lively construction of the loggia contrasts sharply with the austere architecture.

Tribunale della Mercanzia

The Merchants' Tribunal is a building where, in the past, lawyers participated in trials between merchants. A porch was made here, painted by Taddeo Gaddi, Pollaiuolo and Sandro Botticelli. It is now stored in .

Palazzo Uguccioni

The palazzo was built for Giovanni Uguccioni in 1550. Its design is attributed to various architects: Raphael, Michelangelo, Bartolomeo Ammannati or Raffaello da Montelupo.

Palazzo delle Assicurazioni Generali

Palazzo delle Assicurazioni Generali was built in the Neo-Renaissance style in 1871. It is one of the very few purpose-built commercial buildings in the center of Florence. On the ground floor of this palace there is a historical cafe - Cafè Rivoire.

Sculptures in Piazza della Signoria:

The statues of Piazza della Signoria are not just a collection of masterpiece sculptures. As planned, this was supposed to be a one-of-a-kind allegorical cycle, which was supposed to inspire the rulers of Florence on their way to.

David

A sculpture of David by Michelangelo (1501-1504) was installed to the left of the entrance to the. There is now a copy installed in Piazza della Signoria, which replaced the original in 1873.

"David" was created during the Second Republic (1494-1512), when the Medici were expelled and Savonarola came to power. Goliath, with whom David is focused on the upcoming battle, meant the French king Charles VIII and Pope Alexander VI Borgia, who were trying to capture the city.

Judith with the head of Holofernes

This composition was created by Donatello (1455-1460). It was originally intended for the Medici Palace, but after the declaration of the Republic and the looting of the palace it was moved to Piazza della Signoria.

Marzocco

This sculpture of a lion with an iris on a shield was also created by Donatello. Two more stone lions were installed near the Lanzi loggia.

Hercules defeating Cacus

This sculpture, located to the right of the entrance to the Palazzo Vecchio, belongs to the hand of Baccio Bandinelli. Behind it you can see a flat stone in the wall with a scratched human profile. According to legend, Michelangelo bet that he could carve a portrait of a criminal who was going to be hanged in the square, with his back turned to the image.

Neptune Fountain

The magnificent fountain was created by Bartolomeo Ammanati for the wedding of Francesco I de' Medici in 1570.

History of Piazza della Signoria:

Piazza della Signoria has existed since ancient times, although not always in the form of a square. In the Roman era there was a theater here. Later, 36 towers were erected in its place by the Ghibelline Uberti family, but all of them were demolished in 1260, after the victory of the Guelphs. The current square was created on the site cleared of buildings.

After the formation of the Florentine Republic, its government (Signoria) settled in one of the buildings in this square. This Palace of the Signoria (Palazzo della Signoria), or as it is more often called, was built in 1298 - 1310 by Arnolfo di Cambio. The government of the republic was headed by the Gonfaloniere della Giustizia. The government consisted of 24 priors, elected for two months. Throughout this period, they were required to stay in this palace, assemble the College (Collegi) and make decisions.

If, as a result of the vote, it was necessary to execute someone, the victim was imprisoned in a closet above the meeting room, located in the tower under the bell. Cosimo de' Medici was imprisoned there in 1433, and Girolamo Savonarola spent his last days there in 1498.

All republican institutions were abolished after Cosimo came to power >>

 

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