The Piazza della Signoria is a historic square in central Florence, Italy located near the Palazzo Vecchio. It has been the center of Florentine political life since the 14th century and is surrounded by important architectural and artistic landmarks such as the Loggia dei Lanzi, the Uffizi Gallery, and Orsanmichele church. Notable sculptures on display include Michelangelo's David and Bartolomeo Ammanati's Neptune fountain. The piazza continues to be a focal point for both locals and tourists in Florence.

1. Piazza della
Signoria
Presented by :
Akshata Farakate
Fourth year
B.Arch
S.A.U.D.P

2. Location :
Piazza della Signoria, 50122 Firenze FI, Italy.

3. ABOUT :
1. The piazza della signoria is amongst the top important
squares in florence.
2. Piazza della Signoria is an L-shaped square in front of
the Palazzo Vecchio in Florence, Italy. It was named after
the Palazzo della Signoria, also called Palazzo Vecchio.
3. Located in the heart of the city and dominated by the
large city hall.
4. It is the main point of the origin and history of the
Florentine Republic and still maintains its reputation as
the political focus of the city.
5. Overlooking one wing of Ufizzi Gallery, the Piazza della
Signoria is one of the primary meeting points for both
locals from florence and tourists who come to this
mesmerizing romantic cities.

4. HISTORY :
○ The most famous square of Florence, the Piazza
della Signoria began to take shape in the mid- to
–late 13th century as the Guelphs were
successful in defeating the Ghibellines to take
control of the city.
○ The L shape of the Piazza della Signoria and its
lack of uniformity in its surrounding areas is the
result of the Guelphs leveling many of the
palazzi of the rivals.
○ The piazza means a public square or
marketplace in Italian.
○ The Piazza della Signoria gets its name from the
towering Palazzo Vecchio, whose original name
is Piazza della Signoria.
○ The Piazza della Signoria has been the political
center of Florence since the 14th century, which
was then houses of prominent families had to
make way for the new square

5. HISTORICAL EVENTS IN L-SHAPED PIAZZA FLORENCE
○ Two warring factions, the Guelphs and the
Ghibellines were fighting for the city. And when
the Guelphs finally took over, they demolished
and razed about 36 houses and towers of the
rival group to the ground. The Guelphs also
forbade anyone from building a single thing on
the so-called “damned “land.
○ The salt was strewn all over it to make sure that
not even a blade of grass would grow.
○ That paved the way for the square that we see
today. Since early times, Florence has been a
center for an active and enterprising community
that would characterize its long history.
○ The Piazza della Signoria has been the
torchbearer of the civic life in the city in
contrast to the religious center that surrounds
the cathedral.
○ The focal point of the Florence government, the
square has been witnessing important events
through centuries, public executions and visits
by prominent kings and queens.
○ When the bells with the Tower of Palazzo
Vecchio ring, the Florentines gather to listen to
the new laws that govern them or run armed to
defend their city from any perils.
○ Some of the executions that have taken place in
the city have been beautifully portrayed in films
like Hannibal.

6. Statue of
David Florence
The story of the Statue of
David Florence begins with a
block of stone that was
brought to Florence by boat
across the Mediterranean and
was stored for several years
waiting to be carved.
Michelangelo was isolating
himself to make this sculpture
He sculpted it from
September 1501 to May 1504
that resulted in the Statue of
David Florence, the icon of the
Renaissance with size and
proportion of enormous
dimensions
The Statue of David Florence
is considered the zenith of
sculptural work of
Michelangelo
The Statue of David Florence
is in the Academia Gallery of
Florence

7. Fountain Of
Neptune
The most impressive monument Piazza della Signoria and the
centerpiece of the square is the Fonte di, Piazza
The Fonte di Piazza was created by Bartolomeo Ammanati to
celebrate the wedding of Francesco de’ Medici, the son of Cosimo I
to Princess Johanna of Austria in 1565. The marriage was a sign of
the rise of Medici into the ranks of the great ruling houses of
Europe. When Francesco was to receive the title of the Grand
Duke- the fountain which had already begun was turned into an
elaborate affair.
So Ammanati and his craftsmen worked
furtively towards making this the largest
fountain in Florence.
The fountain has Neptune surrounded by four
horses and three tritons.
So Ammanati and his craftsmen worked
furtively towards making this the largest
fountain in Florence. The fountain has
Neptune surrounded by four horses and three
tritons.

8. Uffizi Gallery
○ The Uffizi Gallery in
Florence is really a paradise
for lovers of painting and
sculpture.
○ It houses representatives
of the European
Renaissance and various
painting schools such as
Leonardo da Vinci,
Michelangelo, Raphael, and
Bottiche.
○ The Uffizi Gallery is one of
the three largest art
museums in the world.
○ In the first corridor of the
art gallery, ancient bust
sculptures are arranged on
both sides, complementing
the ceilings of different
styles, and the spacious
floor is paved with white
and gray square marble.

9. Loggia dei Lanzi
○ Also known as the
Loggia della Signoria,
the arcade was built
between 1376 and 1382.
○ The Loggia lost this
political function with
the end of the Republic
and took on a purely
decorative role, but
19th-century
restorations brought it
back to public use, and
it is once again decked
out with banners and
garlands on festive
occasions.
○ Flanking the entrance
are two lions, one from
classical Greece, the
other a 16th-century
copy, and inside are
some important
sculptures.

10. Gucci museum
○ The Gucci Museum in Florence
was inaugurated in 2011 when
the eponymous fashion house
turned 90.
○ The fashion house launched a
museum that tells the story of
the Italian fashion brand and
leather good manufacturer.
○ The museum contains exhibits
of the iconic and exquisite
pieces of the brands from
bags, clothes, accessories,
and many more. It comprises
of a series of contemporary
art, a library, a cafeteria, a tiny
boutique.

11. Orsanmichele
○ The church of
Orsanmichele, also
called San Michele in
Orto, from 14th century
and originated as a
trading hall.
○ Its exterior is
distinguished by the
delicate stone traceries
in its window arches, as
well as its niches
containing statues of
the patron saints of
various Florentine guilds
by artists.
○ A beautiful and
delicately carved marble
tabernacle inside holds
a venerated painting of
the Madonna by
Bernardo Daddi, dating
from 1347.

12. Architectures
circles around
○ Piazza della Signoria has been the
center of the political scene in
Florence since the 14th century.
○ The towering Palazzo Vecchio
overlooks the square. Savonarola
created the scene of great triumphs
like the return of the Medici in 1530
and The Bonfire of the Vanities.
○ There is a marble circle that is
inscribed on the piazza which
highlights the location where he was
burned.
○ The Piazza della Signoria is
surrounded by nothing but an
architecture that resonates the
history of Florence, and as you walk
around the attractions you will feel
the events coming alive in front of
you.
○ It is like a walk back in time where
you get to experience a whole
different era that was characterized
by revolution, rebellion, and regard
for valour, courage, and integrity.

13. Carnival
○ With a grand parade of
small floats through the
city, including an enormous
puppet dragon, the
Florence carnival highlights
diverse world cultures.
○ Local tradition is
represented as well with
colourfully dressed
characters and musicians
in Renaissance costume,
riders on horseback, bands
and dancers.
○ The parade begins in Piazza
Ognissanti and continues
through the rest of the city.
○ It will end in Piazza della
Signoria, where prizes will
be awarded to the most
original costumes and
where the Piccolo
Melograno Choir will
perform.

14. Florentine New
Year, March 25
○ The traditional
Florentine New Year, on
the feast of the
Annunciation, begins in
the Palazzo Vecchio
with a morning parade
filling the streets with
elaborate medieval
dress and music.
○ The celebration
continues at the Piazza
SS Annunziata where
Florentines and visitors
alike feast upon Italian
cuisine at an outdoor
market (9 am - 5 pm),
enjoy an evening
concert (9 pm), and
observe the frescoes of
the Annunciation
featured in the church.

15. Historic buildings at
Piazza San Firenze
Bargello Palace & National
Museum
Painting of Savonarola's
execution in the Piazza
della Signoria