Florence's imposing Gothic town hall has been the seat of civic power since 1299 and remains the city's working municipality today. The landmark crenellated tower (Arnolfo's Tower, 94m) dominates Piazza della Signoria, which serves as Florence's civic heart. Inside, the Salone dei Cinquecento (Hall of the Five Hundred) was commissioned by Savonarola in 1495 and later decorated by Giorgio Vasari with enormous battle paintings for Cosimo I de' Medici. Vasari may have painted Leonardo's lost Battle of Anghiari behind his own paintings — an archaeological mystery that remains unresolved.
The Palazzo Vecchio at Piazza della Signoria in Florence has served as the seat of Florentine civic government for over 700 years and continues to function as the working city hall of Florence today, making it one of the longest continuously occupied civic buildings in Europe. The imposing Gothic fortress-palace was constructed between 1299 and 1314 under the Florentine Republic, with the design attributed to Arnolfo di Cambio, who also directed construction of the Duomo and the church of Santa Croce. The distinctive crenellated tower — Arnolfo's Tower, rising 94 metres — was deliberately built taller than the towers of the noble families that then dominated the Florentine skyline, an assertion of republican civic authority over feudal private power. During the brief theocratic republic of Girolamo Savonarola in 1495, the vast Salone dei Cinquecento was added to accommodate a new popular council of 500 citizens. At 54 metres long and 23 metres wide, it is the largest medieval hall in Italy. When Cosimo I de' Medici assumed ducal power in 1537 and established the Duchy of Tuscany, Giorgio Vasari was commissioned to redecorate the entire palace between 1555 and 1572. Vasari's ceiling and wall paintings in the Salone depict Florentine military victories over Siena and Pisa. Beneath the Battle of Marciano — one of Vasari's wall paintings — evidence suggests Leonardo da Vinci's lost Battle of Anghiari (painted in 1505 and never completed) may survive behind a concealed cavity. Endoscopic investigation in 2012 found traces of pigment consistent with those used by Leonardo, but further investigation has been suspended by the Italian Ministry of Culture to preserve the Vasari decoration. Cosimo I moved his residence to the Palazzo Pitti in 1565, after which the Palazzo della Signoria became known as the Palazzo Vecchio (Old Palace). The interior state rooms are spread across three floors. The Quartiere degli Elementi on the second floor bears allegorical frescoes of the four elements by Vasari and his workshop. The adjacent apartments of Eleonora di Toledo include a chapel with frescoes by Agnolo Bronzino. The Studiolo di Francesco I is a tiny windowless cabinet decorated with 34 Mannerist paintings concealing hidden cupboards beneath each canvas — one of the most idiosyncratic rooms in Renaissance Italy. Michelangelo's Genius of Victory (1532-1534) and Donatello's bronze Judith and Holofernes (c.1460) are among the sculptures displayed within the palace.
| Admission | €12.50 (~$14) (museum); Tower climb €10 (~$11) additional; reduced for under 18 |
|---|---|
| Hours | Daily 9AM-7PM (Fri-Sat until 11PM); closed on some public holidays |
| Address | Piazza della Signoria, 50122 Florence FI, Italy |
Why it matters
The Palazzo Vecchio embodies 700 years of Florentine civic and Medici history. It housed the Florentine Republic's ruling council, became the Medici ducal residence under Cosimo I, and contains some of the most important state apartments of any Italian Renaissance palace. The Salone dei Cinquecento, at 54 x 23 metres, is the largest medieval hall in Italy.
Site facts
- Built
- 1299-1314 (original); expanded under the Medici
- Architect
- Arnolfo di Cambio (original); additions by Michelozzo, Vasari, Buontalenti
- Style
- Gothic / Renaissance
Weather through the year in Italy
Best time Shoulder Worth avoiding
Average daytime temperature in °C. Figures are for Italy.
Location
Piazza della Signoria, 50122 Florence FI, Italy
43.7697, 11.2559 View on map
Highlights
- Salone dei Cinquecento — the vast council hall with Vasari's enormous battle paintings and Michelangelo's Genius of Victory sculpture
- The Lost Leonardo mystery — possible hidden fresco behind Vasari's Battle of Marciano (not yet confirmed by excavation)
- Studiolo of Francesco I — a small, extraordinary jewel-box cabinet covered in paintings by Vasari and Bronzino
- The Apartments of the Elements and the Apartments of Eleonora di Toledo — lavishly decorated Renaissance state rooms
- Tower climb — Arnolfo's Tower offers panoramic views of Florence from a level above Piazzale Michelangelo
Tips for visiting
- Book the Tower climb separately — limited capacity, worth it for the panoramic view
- The Palazzo is a working municipality — parts may be closed for official events
- The outdoor Piazza della Signoria (free) has David's copy and the Loggia dei Lanzi open-air sculpture gallery
Accessibility
Partial accessibility — ground floor accessible, but some rooms have steps. Call ahead for specific access needs.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a visit to Palazzo Vecchio take?
The main museum rooms can be covered in 1.5 to 2 hours. Adding the Tower climb (booked separately at the ticket desk) adds approximately 30 to 45 minutes. The Salone dei Cinquecento alone merits 20-30 minutes of attention.
Can visitors enter the Salone dei Cinquecento for free?
The Piazza della Signoria and the exterior of the building are free to visit at all times, as is the open-air Loggia dei Lanzi sculpture gallery. The interior, including the Salone dei Cinquecento, requires a museum ticket (€12.50 (~$14) as of 2025).
Is Palazzo Vecchio English-language friendly?
English-language signage is provided throughout the museum rooms and audio guides are available in English at the entrance. The building is among the more visitor-friendly museums in Florence.
Is the Palazzo Vecchio wheelchair-accessible?
The ground floor is accessible by lift. Several state rooms on upper floors involve steps without alternative lift access. Visitors with specific mobility requirements should contact the museum in advance to plan an accessible route.