The Piazza della Signoria in Florence has been the center of the city's political life since the 14th century and was the site of important historical events like the return of the Medici family in 1530. The sculptures in the piazza, including Michelangelo's David, were chosen to convey political messages supporting or opposing the Medici. The Loggia dei Lanzi, an open-air sculpture gallery designed in 1376, houses statues like Cellini's Perseus that symbolized the fate of those who crossed the powerful Medici family.

1. TOSCANA: Loggia dei Lanzi in Piazza della Signoria, Firenze
The Piazza della Signoria has been the center of political life
in Florence since the 14th century. It was the scene of great
triumphs, such as the return of the Medici Family in 1530
as well as the Bonfire of the Vanities instigated by
Savonarola, who was then himself burned at the stake here
in 1498 after he was denounced by the Inquisition as a
heretic. A marble circle inscription on the piazza shows the
location where he was burned.
The sculptures in Piazza della Signoria bristle with political
connotations, many of which are fiercely contradictory.
The David (the original is in the Galleria dell'Accademia) by
Michelangelo was placed outside the Palazzo Vecchio as a
symbol of the Republic's defiance of the tyrannical Medici.
Bandinelli's Hercules and Cacus (1534) to the right of the
David was appropriated by the Medici to show their
physical power after their return from exile.
The Nettuno (1575) by Ammannati celebrates the Medici's
maritime ambitions and Giambologna's equestrian statue
of Duke Cosimo I (1595) is an elegant portrait of the man
who brought all of Tuscany under Medici military rule.
The graceful Loggia dei Lanzi, which functions as an open-
air sculpture gallery, was designed by Orcagna in 1376. Its
curved arches foretell Renaissance classicism.
The statue of Perseo holding Medusa's head, by Cellini (1554), is a stark
reminder of what happened to those who crossed the Medici, and along
with Giambologna's Rape of the Sabines, are two of many beautiful
sculptures found under the arches of the Loggia dei Lanzi.
Right behind the Loggia dei Lanzi is the Galleria degli Uffizi, also known as
the Uffizi Gallery.