Piazza della Signoria
Piazza della Signoria is home to the Palazzo Vecchio. This L shaped square is practically mobbed with tourists waiting to get into the many attractions that surround this beautiful area.
Piazza della Signoria remains one of the most important public hubs of the city. The square has the astonishing Palazzo Vecchio (the town hall of the city) on one side and Ponte Vecchio (bridge) and Piazza del Duomo within a short walking distance. The world famous Uffizy Gallery is located behind the square. On one side of the square is the amazing Loggia Dei Lanzi (it has wide arches facing the square).
Piazza della Signoria is an open gallery itself with the beautiful Fountain of Neptune (by Bartolomeo Ammannati). I was awestruck by the collection of the numerous historic statues. It includes Cosimo Medici, Hercules and Casus as well as Benvenuto Cellini’s Perseus holding a decapitated Medusa’s head. There are two remarkable replicas also (Michelangelo’s David, Donatello’s Judith and Holofernes).
There is so much going on here it can keep you entertained for a while. There are magicians, artists painting and musicians playing. It’s one of the best places to sit outdoors for lunch or gelato. Always a fun and special place to relax and let the time go by while you watch all sort of people walk by. There are some restaurants, bars, shops and souvenir stands dispersed around the vicinity.
Piazza della Signoria is beautiful by day and night and a must-see at both times. It really is extraordinary at night with the lighting. Piazza della Signoria brings together history, architecture and art. I stopped by one night and it was all the more magical because of the live concert that was playing in the Palazzo Vecchio.
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Piazza della Signoria
Address: Piazza della Signoria, 50123 Florence, Italy
