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Audio guide

Palazzo Vecchio

The Soul of Florentine Power

Palazzo Vecchio

en

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Welcome to the Old Palace

1m 15s

Palazzo Vecchio • Section 1 of 5

You are standing at the very heart of Florence. Palazzo Vecchio, or the Old Palace, has served as the city's center of government for over seven hundred years. When you look at its rugged, fortress-like stone walls, you are seeing a building originally designed in twelve hundred and ninety-nine by the architect Arnolfo di Cambio. He was the same visionary who designed the Duomo and the Church of Santa Croce, effectively molding the face of medieval Florence. This structure was built to protect the city's magistrates during times of political unrest, which is why it looks more like a castle than a traditional government building. Though it started as the seat of the Republic, it later became the sumptuous home of the Medici family before they moved across the river to the Pitti Palace—a move that eventually earned this building the name Old Palace. Take a moment to look up at the clock tower that dominates the skyline before we head inside to uncover the secrets hidden within these thick walls.

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Quick answer

What does this Palazzo Vecchio audio guide explain?

You are standing at the very heart of Florence. Palazzo Vecchio, or the Old Palace, has served as the city's center of government for over seven hundred years.

Inside this guide

  1. 01Welcome to the Old PalaceWelcome to the Old Palace: You are standing at the very heart of Florence. Palazzo Vecchio, or the Old Palace, has served as the city's center of government for over seven hundred years.
  2. 02The Grandeur of the Five HundredThe Grandeur of the Five Hundred: Step inside and you will eventually find yourself in the Salone dei Cinquecento, or the Hall of the Five Hundred.
  3. 03Climbing the Arnolfo TowerClimbing the Arnolfo Tower: High above you stands the Arnolfo Tower, an architectural marvel that reaches ninety-five meters into the sky.
  4. 04Secrets and the Medici StudioloSecrets and the Medici Studiolo: Beyond the public halls lie the private quarters of the Medici, including one of the most enigmatic rooms in the world: the Studiolo of Francesco the First.
  5. 05Living History and Hidden WatersLiving History and Hidden Waters: Even today, Palazzo Vecchio is much more than a museum; it remains the working city hall of Florence, where the mayor's office sits alongside centuries of Renaissance art.

Common questions

What does this free Palazzo Vecchio audio guide include?

It covers Welcome to the Old Palace, The Grandeur of the Five Hundred, Climbing the Arnolfo Tower, and Secrets and the Medici Studiolo, with practical context and details to notice during the visit.

What should I notice first at Palazzo Vecchio?

Start with Welcome to the Old Palace. The guide then connects The Grandeur of the Five Hundred, Climbing the Arnolfo Tower, and Secrets and the Medici Studiolo to the place, so you know what to look for on site.

What can I ask Mappu after this Palazzo Vecchio guide?

You can continue with follow-up questions such as "Who was the architect behind the palace's striking tower, and why is it off-center?", then keep the guide connected to your map and trip plan.