Schmap Florence The Political Centre

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Florence - The Political Centre
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Walk down Via Calzaiuoli - along which you will find hundreds of shops selling all manner of goods - and in a few minutes, you will reach the Piazza della Signoria, the political centre of Florence. The focal point of the piazza is the imposing ‘Palazzo della Signoria' (also known as the ‘ Palazzo Vecchio '). This palace once housed the government of the city of Florence and has been enlarged several times over the centuries. Arnolfo di Cambio (the same architect who designed the cathedral), created the palazzo in 1294. The section that is not dedicated to the museum retains its function as the offices of the Town Council. The second internal courtyard houses the only public baths in the city centre.

On the Piazza della Signoria, you'll come across the dei Lanzi Lodge, which was originally a public meeting place but is now an open-air museum of sorts, where you can view a group of sculptures by Ratto delle Sabine and Giambologna. Besides this, there is also the Mannerist ‘Fountain of Neptune' by Ammannati and the equestrian monument to Cosimo I, by Giambologna. There is a copy of Michelangelo's magnificent “David” too, which stands in front of the palace gates.

At this point you have a choice. You can either visit the Ufizzi Gallery (probably one of the most important museums in the world), which is only a short walk from the piazza, or, weather permitting, relax at an open-air café, e.g. the Rivoire (a popular choice), which is famous for its hot chocolate with cream -absolute bliss!

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Lanzi Lodge

The lodge of Duke Alessandro de'Medici

Piazza della Signoria
Florence 50122
Italy

Also called the Loggia della Signoria, the Loggia was named the Loggia dei Lanzi when the Duke Alessandro de' Medici made it the camp of the Lanzichenecchi after the fall of the Florentine Republic. It was the Signoria which commissioned a great Loggia for public use in 1350. The job was started by Orcagna, but continued and finished by Benci di Cione and Francesco Talenti only in 1382. Made in Serena stone with acute pointed arches and bricks decorated by sculptures designed by Agnolo Gaddi, this taste for a clasical style is what characterises Florentine art of the time. Benvenuto Cellini's famous Perseus was installed under the Loggia, and in the central arch Giambologna's marble Rape of the Sabine Women, which can be found next to Hercules with Nessus also in marble. The other statues at the back near to the walls came from the Medici villa in Rome.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Photo: Randy Holder

Photo: Trent Strohm

Photo: Samir Mirza

Photo: Robert Emery Smith

Photo: Paul Stevenson

Lanzi Lodge photo by Vyacheslav Stepanyuchenko

Photo: Vyacheslav Stepanyuchenko

Photo: Mark Fogle

Photo: Mary Harrsch

Lanzi Lodge photo by Aurora Rimblas de Rivera

Photo: Aurora Rimblas de Rivera

Photo: William

Photo: Christopher Mar

Photo: Yuen-Ping aka YP

Photo: Mary Harrsch

Photo: Cory George

Photo: Allison Martin

Photo: Lesley

Photo: Curtis Townson

Photo: Andreas Hartmann

Photo: Janet Brown

Photo: Mindi Maneck

Lanzi Lodge photo by sammydavisdog - away for a week

Photo: sammydavisdog - away for a week

Photo: pinkaholic

Photo: Hessee

Photo: Marvin Tam

Photo: Denise

Photo: Filippo Russo

Photo: Mark Harris

Photo: Annamaria Maiello

Photo: Guido de Haan

Rivoire

Famous for its hot chocolate Piazza della Signoria, 5/r
Florence 50122
Italy
+39 55 21 4412 Since 1872, this traditional café-bar has served magnificent hot chocolate and exquisite cocktails and aperitifs to an appreciative public. In summer, order rolls, salads, light snacks and delicious home-made desserts to be enjoyed on its huge terrace opposite the Palazzo Vecchio in one of the city's most beautiful squares. This spot is the perfect place for people watching and stunning views of the artistic sculptures on the Piazza della Signoria. Although chocolate is the theme here, there is also coffee and wine available.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Photo: Barbara Hillaker
Photo: Reneka Mergenthaler
Photo: MMChicago
Photo: Dan Hartland
Photo: lackadaisy
Photo: Andrea Scatasta
Photo: Gattasorniona
Photo: Iain Henderson

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Other nearby cities:
Bologna (94 miles)
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Verona (193 miles)
Venice (220 miles)
Milan (241 miles)
Rome (242 miles)
Nice (294 miles)
Turin (298 miles)
Cannes (312 miles)
Trieste (313 miles)

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