Monday, March 14, 2011

Palazzo Vecchio


Today we went to see the Palazzo Vecchio, originally the seat of city government since the 1300's now a museum.
The Medici dukes turned the medieval building into a Renaissance palace in the 1500's filling it with art and frescoes that still grace it's labyrinth of rooms.
The building dominates the Piazza Della Signoria. It looks almost fortress like, with it's high walls and soaring 94m high tower.
I was delighted to see a small tour of little children, they looked to be only 3 or 4 years old learning about art in their town with the help of a guide and a puppet- very sweet.

Photos are;
1. Palazzo Vecchio in the Piazza Della Signoria.
2. The internal front courtyard.
3. A frescoe on an internal wall.
4 (below) The 450 year old floor. Note the heraldic device of Cosimo de' Medici(1519-1574)a turtle with a sail.Cosimo 1 was appointed head of the family when only 17 years old. He the became Grand Duke of Tuscany in 1569.

Cheers until next time,
Jenni

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