Attraction
Uffizi Gallery
Florence's great picture gallery, built by Vasari for Cosimo I de' Medici, with Botticelli, Leonardo, Michelangelo, Raphael, Titian and Caravaggio.
Palazzo Vecchio
Florence's town hall since the Middle Ages, with Vasari's Hall of the Five Hundred, Medici apartments, a secret-room tour and a climbable 94-metre tower.
At a glance
- Type
- Historic palace and museum
- Area
- Piazza della Signoria, Florence, Italy
- Official site
- musefirenze.it
Good to know
- Tower climb
- Guided tours
- Children's activities
- Shop
Why we recommend it
The Palazzo Vecchio has been the seat of Florentine government for more than seven centuries and is still the town hall today. Construction began in 1299, traditionally attributed to Arnolfo di Cambio, and its crenellated stone block and 94-metre tower define Piazza della Signoria. Cosimo I de' Medici moved in in 1540 and had the interiors transformed, mainly by Giorgio Vasari, before the family moved across the river to the Palazzo Pitti.
The highlight is the Salone dei Cinquecento, the Hall of the Five Hundred, built in 1494 for the republic's Grand Council and later enlarged and decorated by Vasari with huge battle scenes and a coffered ceiling of 39 painted panels. Michelangelo's Genius of Victory stands in one of the niches. Elsewhere, look for Francesco I's small, windowless Studiolo, the Hall of the Lilies with Donatello's Judith and Holofernes, the map room (Guardaroba) with its painted cabinets, and the decorated apartments of Eleonora di Toledo. A copy of Michelangelo's David stands outside the entrance, where the original was placed in 1504.
The tower can be climbed separately, by steps, for a view straight across to the cathedral dome; it closes in bad weather and has a limited number of visitors at a time. The museum runs guided tours, including routes through secret passages and the space above the Salone's ceiling, which must be booked ahead and are one of the best ways to see the building. There are family activities in several languages too. Allow at least ninety minutes for the museum, plus extra if you climb the tower or join a tour.
Because parts of the building are working council offices, some rooms can close for official events. The courtyard, with its decorated columns and copy of Verrocchio's putto fountain, is free to enter and worth a look even if you do not buy a ticket.
The palace stands on Piazza della Signoria, next to the Loggia dei Lanzi and the Uffizi. The cathedral is about five minutes' walk north, and the Ponte Vecchio is a short stroll south along Via Por Santa Maria. If time allows, combine the visit with the Uffizi next door on the same day, starting with the palace in the morning and the gallery in the afternoon.
Palazzo Vecchio FAQs
Is Palazzo Vecchio still the town hall?
Yes. It houses the mayor's office and city council, while most of the historic rooms are a museum.
Can you climb the tower?
Yes, the Torre di Arnolfo can be climbed with a separate ticket. Access is by stairs and it may close in bad weather.
What is the Salone dei Cinquecento?
The palace's great council hall, built in 1494 and decorated by Vasari with battle scenes and a painted ceiling.
Are there guided tours?
Yes. The museum offers guided tours, including secret-passage routes, which should be booked in advance.
How long should I allow?
About ninety minutes for the museum, more if you climb the tower or take a tour.
Is it good for children?
Yes, the museum runs activities and tours designed for families.
Is the courtyard free?
Yes, the first courtyard can be visited without a ticket.
What is nearby?
The Uffizi, the Loggia dei Lanzi and the Ponte Vecchio are all within a few minutes' walk.