Standing in the shadow of Palazzo Vecchio feels like facing the heart of Florence itself. This building is not only one of the city’s most iconic symbols but also a monumental essence of its history, political power, and artistic heritage.
Rising proudly in the center of Piazza della Signoria, it has guarded the city’s pulse for centuries. Many tourists stop here for a photo with the “fake” David statue — which I’ve written about before — but few know what truly lies within its walls. Palazzo Vecchio is far more than just a tourist attraction; history lives in every corner, and it continues to offer new wonders almost every year.
Under the Medici Shadow
The palace’s history is deeply intertwined with the Medici family’s rule. For a long time, it served as the seat of the Signoria and remained the ducal palace until 1565 when Cosimo I moved to the “new” Pitti Palace. Since then, this became known as the “old palace,” but the weight of power still lingers within its walls.
Contemporary Exhibitions – Where Past Meets Present
I’ve visited many times, and every visit brings something new. One unforgettable exhibition was in 2016 when Jan Fabre transformed the space with sculptures made from insect shells and bronze — an intriguing blend of the insect world and guardian spirits inside the Medici palace.
In 2021, Francesco Vezzoli’s installation of a fierce lion crushing a Roman head was displayed in front of the palace — a masterful collision of ancient and modern art.
That same year, Paolo Staccioli’s bronze and ceramic sculptures of warriors and horses filled the Sala d’Arme, while Dante’s death mask silently watched from the corridor.
Henry Moore’s Return in 2022
Fifty years after his iconic exhibition at Forte Belvedere, British sculptor Henry Moore returned to Florence in 2022 with a powerful single work — a quiet, symbolic presence evoking the past.
A Major Highlight of 2025 – Thomas J. Price
In 2025, the Palazzo Vecchio area hosted one of the most anticipated exhibitions: renowned British sculptor Thomas J. Price’s large-scale show. Fifty years after Henry Moore’s landmark 1972 exhibition, Price brought fresh, socially conscious monumental sculptures to the same historic space. The past and present met once again, proving Florence not only preserves its heritage but actively shapes contemporary cultural discourse.
Secrets of the Palace
The visit starts impressively with replicas of David and Hercules guarding the entrance, and Michelozzo’s elegant courtyard. The most famous room is the Salone dei Cinquecento — a 53-meter-long hall covered entirely in frescoes by Giorgio Vasari, commissioned by Cosimo I.
For those craving a unique experience, thematic guided tours grant access to secret passages, hidden rooms, and staircases not included in the usual route. In the Map Room, concealed doors open to forgotten chambers of history.
If you like heights, you can climb the Arnolfo Tower. It’s a steep climb, but the panorama of Florence is breathtaking.
Art in the Square
Piazza della Signoria itself is an open-air museum. The restored Neptune Fountain, Ammannati’s masterpiece, shines in its full glory again. Replicas of Donatello’s famous Marzocco (lion with the iris shield) and Judith and Holofernes statues stand proudly — Florence’s history literally at your feet.
Don’t forget San Bernardo, one of Florence’s patron saints, whose relics are kept in the Cappella dei Priori.
Palazzo Vecchio is not a place you visit once and check off your list. Every visit reveals new faces, eras, and works of art. And this is only the beginning — because I live here. Every walk, every exhibition, every new sculpture is part of my everyday life. Florence is not just a city to me, it’s living history, a constant inspiration, and a place where I keep marveling at how lucky I am to call it home.