Residences of the Medici in Florence: the places where the dynasty who ruled the city for century lived

The Medici dynasty ruled the city of Florence for centuries, making it great in the world and influencing the balances of the time. They were great patrons, in fact, during their rule promoted art and culture, gave importance to artists and made Florence one of the most important cultural centers of the time.

The history and art of the city are closely linked to this dynasty: churches, palaces, monuments, museums have been erected for their will and if you walk in the historic center you come across them.

PALAZZO MEDICI RICCARDI

First residence of the family in the city, it is located in via Cavour (at the time via Larga). It was commissioned by Cosimo the Elder in 1444 and designed by Michelozzo. Crowned by a cornice, the sober and elegant facade is punctuated by mullioned windows. On the ground floor, kneeling windows alternate with doors leading to the inner courtyard. Today it houses temporary exhibitions and a museum.

The famous Chapel of the Magi is located in the heart of the palace. It is a small place with a raised scarsella for the altar located on the first floor. At the time of the Medici, this was their private chapel.

On three of the four walls there are frescoes that were made by the painter Benozzo Gozzoli in 1459. They depict the journey of the Three Wise Men to Baby Jesus. In the procession were also represented some members of the Medici family as Cosimo and Piero de Medici, the little Lorenzo and Giuliano and other personalities of the time such as Gian Galeazzo Maria Sforza, ally of the family. It also stands out for the richness of details and ornaments.

The palace housed immense artistic collections that adorned the palace, such as the David by Donatello, exposed in the center of the inner courtyard.

It was here that Lorenzo de' Medici hosted illustrious figures of his time and created a safe environment where young artists could practice and study the classical models, so they could  learn the artistic techniques. Even some of them were actually hosted; among all stands out Michelangelo Buonarroti. 

It was here that the thought and art of the Renaissance began to develop.

In 1659 it was sold to the Riccardi family.

PALAZZO VECCHIO

In 1540, the Duke Cosimo I de Medici chose Palazzo Vecchio, in Piazza della Signoria, as more central than the previous residence. The palace, therefore, following expansion works ordered by the duke, doubled in volume due to the additions on the back of the palace, thus acquiring its current appearance. With the Medici court here, the palace also assumed a private function in addition to the governmental one (it was the seat of government).

On the second floor there are the apartments where Duke Cosimo I lived with his wife Eleonora from Toledo and their many children from 1540 to 1589.

PALAZZO PITTI

The palace was built for the Pitti family following an already existing project by Brunelleschi. This project, in fact, was designed for the family of Cosimo de Medici, who refused because he thought it too majestic. He was afraid that it might attract the envy of people and so he opted for the project of Michelozzo. Pitti, rival of the Medici, decided to use this project so he could to have a larger and more conspicuous residence than the one erected by the rival.

It is a fact that in 1549 the Picts had to sell the palace to Eleonora da Toledo, wife of the duke. Located in Oltrarno, the Duchess Eleonora preferred it to Palazzo Vecchio because she considered this area of the city more peaceful and healthy for her and some of her children who had contracted tuberculosis.

It was the Duchess’s wish that the garden of the residence was enlarged and transformed to become one of the most beautiful parks in the world, as well as a model of an Italian garden.

It was a Medici residence until the extinction of the dynasty, which occurred in 1743 with the death of Anna Maria Luisa.

Today it houses, among others, the Palatine Gallery.

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