Florence, Day 4: Palazzo Medici Riccardi PART 1

Palazzo Medici Riccardi, a Renaissance palace, was built between 1444 and 1484 for the Medici banking family. Cosimo de’ Medici, the first Medici to hold power in Florence, commissioned Michelozzo di Bartolommeo to build the palace. In 17th century, the Medici family moved to Palazzo Vecchio first and Palazzo Pitti later. Palazzo Medici Riccardi was acquired by the Riccardi family in 1659.

Palazzo Medici Riccardi was the residence of Lorenzo the Magnificent, Cosimo’s grandson. Michelangelo lived here when he was a teenager. Lorenzo de Medici sponsored young Michelangelo developing his talent.

The humble exterior features rusticated stone walls.

Michelozzo’s inner courtyard has remained whole since 1400’s. The sculpture in the middle is Orpheus.

The crest with seven balls is the Medici coat of arms.

The other round reliefs above the arches depict mythology.

The courtyard features Corinthian columns and vaulted ceilings.

There are sculptures, reliefs, urns, and ornaments on the walls.