Palazzo Medici Riccardi was built for Cosimo il Vecchio by Michelozzo after 1444 as his town mansion on via Larga today via Cavour . Apart from the fine exterior, the main courtyard with classical relief in the tondi survives from this time , as well as Michelozzo's lovely little chapel on the first floor and the frescoes Cosimo commissioned for it from Benozzo Gozzoli.
The church of was intimately connected with the Medici after they commissioned Brunelleschi to rebuild it in 1425 with their own family funds . It is the burial place of all the principal members of the family from Cosimo il Vecchio to Cosimo III .
The Cappella dei Principi is the opulent mausoleum of the Medici grand dukes .It has been undergoing restoration since 1999. Ferdinando I decided to create the chapel , wich he intended to have decorated with plasters of costly jasper . A back passage connects the Cappella dei Principi to the New sacristy , was build to balance Brunelleschi's old Sacristy by Michelangelo . Inside you can see the tombs of the Medici family decorated with the statues carved by Michelangelo .
The Dome of Santa Maria del Fiore was built by Brunelleschi, the architect who worked for the Medici family.
The impressive 14th-century Palazzo Vecchio is still preeminent with its crenellated tower. The square is also shared with the Loggia della Signoria, the Uffizi Gallery, the Palace of the Tribunale della Mercanzia and the Palazzo Uguccioni ,with a facade attributed to Raphael, who however died thirty years before its construction. Various imposing statues ring this square including: Copy of Michelangelo's David, the original by Michelangelo is housed in the Galleria dell'Accademia, adjacent to the Gallery of the Academy of Fine Arts. Equestrian Monument of Cosimo I, honoring Cosimo I de' Medici and sculpted by Giambologna Fountain of Neptune by Bartolomeo Ammannati Il Marzocco, (the Lion) with a copy of the Florentine Lily, originally made by Donatello Judith and Holofernes, by Donatello Hercules and Cacus, by Bandinelli The Rape of the Sabine Women, in the Loggia dei Lanzi by Giambologna Perseus with the Head of Medusa, in the Loggia dei Lanzi .etc
One of the most important Italian museums and the most visited, it is also one of the largest and best known in the world and holds a collection of priceless works, particularly from the period of the Italian Renaissance.
The palace was bought by the Medici family in 1549 and became the chief residence of the ruling families of the Grand Duchy of Tuscany. It grew as a great treasure house as later generations amassed paintings, plates, jewelry and luxurious possessions.
It was an amazingly curated personal tour. Julia was well informed and was proactive in her interaction. We carry beautiful memories , information and interaction with her. Would strongly recommend the work for anyone interested in history.
Very informative. Guide personable friendly and informed. Go early as it gets very hot and crowded along the way.
Awesome tour!! Very recommended for history buffs! Tour guide was so impressive with the tour and history of the the Italy.
The walk was great. The guide is a local with astounding knowledge and even greater passion for storytelling. It was a great way to get a behind the scene glimpse of florence.
Francesco is an aextraordinary guide. Hé is clearly a fine human Being with a vast and interesting knowledge.
There is honestly very little information about the Medicis, and I feel like this tour is mislabeled. If it were called the Florence highlights tour, it would be a more accurate name. I booked this because I am a huge history nerd and was hoping to have someone indulge that while in the locations the Medicis walked. They mentioned the Pitti’s at the very end but left out the most interesting interaction between the two families; an assassination attempt and exile!
Was truly the best and most interesting tour we did in Italy - was filled with information about the Medicis and was a nice introduction to Florence. Tour guide was amazing, very nice and could answer any questions we had
We had great time very knowledgeable guide, amazing tour The guide were really informed and funny. The guide was on time.
I booked this amazing walking tour and absolutely loved it! The Medici history was fascinating, the guide was super knowledgeable, and the stops were stunning. It’s a must-do experience if you're visiting Florence!
Francisco was a great guide. He combined extensive knowledge about Florence history and art with his enthusiastic personality. Among the best walking tours ever!
Excellent guide. Although we were unable to go on the walk we had booked, Francesco brought the visit to the gallery and statue of David to life with plenty of Medici information thrown in.
Tour guide was very knowledgeable about the history of the Medici and the city as a whole. Provided very interesting context for areas that we hit. Great experience overall.
Even with transmitters and an earpiece neither of us could understand our guide. He spoke very fast with a strong Italian accent. We were able to understand a few words then struggled to fill in the rest. Our time was spent trying to understand what he was saying and not learning. If you’re going to offer a tour for English speaking travelers the guide should have a higher level of proficiency in the language.
We love these walk around town type of tours. You get to see things you probably would have missed. Our guide was excellent she covered the Medici family history in detail as well as other important families of Florence. She pointed out good restaurants and roof top bars. We stopped at a square where street performers were singing opera. It was wonderful. I highly recommend this tour and tour company.
Most memorable story was about the corridor that Cosimo built from the Palazzo Vecchia to the Pitti Palace! And it can still be used today!
To learn more about the history of Florence. He was very knowledgeable and gave us a lot to take in.
Poor experience. Guide was pleasant and knowledgeable but poor delivery. Other participants with children on tour could barely keep up with guide. We were luckier because we have been to Florence a few times before. Comparing other guides in Rome and guide in Palazzo Vecchio, the guide was poor and it was a waste of time and money. Well meaning person with poor English accent and no presence or personality. Poor standard leaves a sour taste. We should all get partial refunds. After serious world pandemic no one can afford to waste money. Not good for your corporate brand or reputation to employ sub standard people Better to cancel the tour altogether and give guide a job looking after Italians only.
This was tough for us. Our guide was very enthusiastic and passionate about Florentine history but we were not well versed coming in and had a tough time following as she bounced between centuries and stories. I would not recommend unless you want someone to discuss known history with.
Seeing the city through the historical lens of the Medici family was fantastic. It helped connect the dots for us. Anzu our guide was knowledgeable, a lot of fun, and really loved the city.
We did a 2 hour tour with Alberto who was absolutely fantastic. Very knowledgeable, excellent English and we learned so much. I thoroughly recommend him.
Our tour guide was extremely knowledgeable and enthusiastic about the topic. She answered many questions and made sure we could always hear her. She even asked if we wanted her to take pictures as we experienced important monuments.
Our guide Elisabeth was knowledgeable and very interesting. We loved her storytelling and how she was so passionated about the knowledge she had. We were totally engrossed with what she was saying. Best way to understand the history of the city
Amazing tour!!! If you like history and you want to know about the Medici that’s all want you want, Julia was an amazing guide and she was explaining the history and the occasions that happened in Florence in a very well organized way! She knows a lot and her agency is the best to book not only this tour but all what they do, I was grateful for all what they have done and if I go to Florence again I will pick all my tours with them. Thank you so much Viator for providing such great service!!
Excellent tour with guide Claudio! Very interesting and informative tour, including all the must see sights in Florence. 100% recommendable :-)
We were lucky enough to get a private tour with our lovely guide. We walked the city for 3 hours while hearing the fascinating stories and history of the Medici family. Exactly the kind of tour we were looking for. Would highly recommend!
We enjoyed a two hour walking tour of Florence with a great guide Alberto. He answered all our questions with great knowledge and enthusiasm and made this a very enjoyable experience. Would recommend this tour to first time visitors like ourselves.
Don't miss it! You will be fascinated by the diversity and beauty of paintings and architecture. An amazing tour with an excellent guide.
Esperienza mediocre abbiamo fatto un giro dell isolato per vedere praticamente nulla a parte motorini e auto non ci siamo neanche avvicinati almeno alla cupola del Brunelleschi ,che comunque fa parte di una di quelle opere volute dai medici visto che il tour era parlare dei monumenti degli stessi ,per il costo fin troppo elevato non ne vale la pena nonostante la guida fosse particolarmente preparata ma inserita in un tour sterile e privo di significato
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