subject: See A Rreplica Of Michelangelo's Bust Of David [print this page] The Palazzo Vecchio remains as the Town Hall of Florence seven centuries after its was built and far from an ordinary bureaucratic city committee house this palace is the address for many significant art masterpieces. Beginning with the little Studiolo of Francesco I to the enormous tower, the complete artistic compound is awesome.
Begun in 1299, the structure was lengthened in the mid 14th century and once more at the end of the 15th, then still once more in the 16th. Once residence to the powerful Cosimo Medici, of Florence, Italy it now acts as a support center. The Palazzo Vecchio recovered that position of power again in 1875. Once a realistic fortress it is nowadays one of the city's bureaucratic cores as one of the premium storehouses of artistic treasures.
The courtyards even unaccompanied will enrapture guests for hours. The Putto with Dolphin sits in a fountain whose waters are piped all the way from the Boboli gardens. The frescoes around the walls portray pictures of the Austrian Hapsburg domains, viewing the association flanked by the Florentines and their northern neighbors. That bond was cemented by the wedding between the eldest son of Cosimo the Elder and the sister of Emperor Maximilian.
Guests will want to sight see at the Salon de Cinquecento. It was once a majestic hall of the Grand Duke Cosimo the First. Visitors here can observe some of the finest of Pallazzo Vecchio's frescoes. There are pictures portraying 'The Taking of Siena' and 'Pisa Attacked by the Florentines,' which are only two amongst many praising the ruler's military adventures.
There are also many small side rooms to explore within the palace-fortress of Florence.
The Hercules Room holds more than a few works of art on the ceiling that represents the heroic exploits of the legendary Greek hero. The Room of Jupiter has a fresco of the Roman god on the ceiling, but the most terrific facial appearance are the superb 14th century wall-hangings. The Ceres Room holds more wall hangings of hunting scenes of the time. Most probably, the finest of all is the Room of Cybele with its cupboards made from tortoise casing and bronze.
From the view of the Terrazza di Saturno (on the second floor), you can admire the constructions below with the same astounding emotion felt at viewing the articles inside.
Close by is the residence of Eleonora of Toledo, wife of Cosimo. One of the many wonderful places of interest here is the fresco by Bronzino decorated in the mid-16th century. The Chapel of Signoria as well as the frescoes on the walls of the Hall of Liles is one more must-see part of the palace.
Around the corner is the Sala delle Carte, the map room, containing a compilation of chronological globes and over 50 maps highlighted on pelts. They offer insight into the world as it was acknowledged circa 1563.
From the beginning, you can overlook the Piazza della Signoria and see a replica of Michelangelo's bust of David along with the statues in the Loggia dei Lanzi.
Take your time walking back down and explore all the nooks and crannies on the way. Every square inch has something worth seeing.
