Florence, Day 2: Palazzo Vecchio

We visited Palazzo Vecchio in the evening. Palazzo Vecchio is just right next to PIazza della Signoria and the open air gallery, Loggia del Lanzi. 

Palazzo Vecchio was the Medici’s residence until the family moved to Palazzo Pitti. It is now the town hall of Florence.

In the courtyard, you see beautiful motifs on the columns and frescos on the walls.

Loggia del Lanzi, the open air gallery with sculptures, is just outside.

You can see the tower of Palzazzo Vecchio from the courtyard.

The courtyard is open to public. No tickets required. But you do need a ticket to go inside the palazzo.

The tourists were mesmerized by the courtyard.

These are frescoes of Austrian cities on the walls.

The photo above shows the ceiling of the Studiolo of Francesco I.

The photo above is Sala dell’Udienza (Audience Chamber).

A contemporary exhibition also took place in Palazzo Vecchio.

They seemed to enjoy it.

Here is a closer view. You can see the Duomo through the window.

This large globe is called mappa mundi. It is in the center of the Hall of Geographical Maps or Wardrobe.

The biggest chamber in Palazzo Vecchio is Salone dei Cinquecento. A council meeting was ongoing in the chamber while we were there.

The ceiling of Salone dei Cinquecento is impressive.

Here is a close-up of the ceiling.