August 11, 2014

The Palazzo Vecchio, Florence

One of my favourite spots in Florence is Piazza della Signoria, a busy square dominated by the fortress-like Palazzo Vecchio. As a fan of Dan Brown's novel, Inferno, I toured the palazzo's museum to see some of the items mentioned in the book for myself, like the Hall of Five Hundred, the Mappa Mundi and Dante's Death Mask.



The Palazzo Vecchio, Florence


The Palazzo Vecchio and Piazza della Signoria

Replica of David Overlooking the Square

Caffè Rivoire

As you approach the entrance to the Palazzo Vecchio you'll notice the Loggia dei Lanzi to your right.  Originally built as a platform for public speaking, the loggia is now an outdoor sculpture gallery.


The Loggia dei Lanzi


Medici Lion


Perseus With the Head of Medusa, Cellini


The Rape of the Sabine Women, Giambologna

The Rape of Polyxena, Fedi


The Palazzo Vecchio still serves as Florence's Town Hall today. The entrance is flanked by two more statues, a replica of Michelangelo's David (where the original stood before it was moved to the Accademia Gallery) and Hercules and Cacus.


Replica of David at the Palazzo Vecchio Entrance

Hercules and Cacus, Bandinelli


Doorway of the Palazzo Vecchio


Putto With Dolphin, Interior Courtyard

The Hall of Five Hundred is lined by large wall paintings by Giorgio Vasari depicting scenes from Florentine history, such as The Battle of Marciano with its cryptic phrase "Cerca trova".


Hall of Five Hundred, Palazzo Vecchio


Hall of Five Hundred Ceiling


The Battle of Marciano, Vasari

On the second floor is a balcony overlooking the Hall of Five Hundred and the items I most wanted to see: the doorway to the Vasari Corridor, the cabinet holding Dante's Death Mask and the Hall of Maps with the Mappa Mundi globe and map of Armenia.


View from the Second Floor Balcony


Doorway to the Vasari Corridor, Green Room


The Death Mask of Dante Alighieri



The Mappa Mundi, Hall of Maps


Map of Armenia


Related Posts:
Dan Brown's Inferno: Florence in Photos
Dan Brown's Inferno: More Florence in Photos
Dan Brown's Inferno: Venice in Photos
Dan Brown's Inferno:  More Venice in Photos
Dan Brown's Inferno: The Art

No comments:

Post a Comment

All comments are moderated.

Note: only a member of this blog may post a comment.