The Romanesque fortress-palace Palazzo Vecchio, is one of the most famous museums and town halls of Tuscany and has a sublime view of the Piazza della Signoria and the gallery of statues in the Loggia dei Lanzi.

Originally called Palazzo della Signoria, it was built in the 13th century. The oldest part of the palace was designed by architect Arnolfo di Cambio, while its famous clock tower, containing two cells in which Cosimo de'Medici was imprisoned in 1435, was designed by Torre d'Arnolfo.

The building has a rich history; it rests on top of the ruins of the destroyed Uberti Ghibelline towers and the ancient theatre of the Roman colony of Florentia. The palace had several names throughout the history, but it was officially named "Palazzo Vecchio" (Old Palace) when Cosimo I de'Medici moved to Palazzo Pitti in 1540.

Address

Piazza della Signoria, 50122 Florence

Getting There

Bus: Lines C2 (Condotta); Line C1 (Galleria Degli Uffizi)