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Palazzo VecchioPalazzo Vecchio, Florence town hall, was built in 1299 and designed by Arnolfo di Cambio (1245-1302). Once residence of the Priors of Arts and the Florentine Seigniory, the palace has been many times renovated and remodelled throughout the centuries. Nonetheless it never lost the massive look with rustic ashlars, jutted out balcony and asymmetric tower. In 1540, Palazzo Vecchio housed temporary the grand-ducal family at the time of Cosimo I de' Medici, before the definitive moving to the new royal residence of Palazzo Pitti. This is the reason why this palace was called "vecchio" (old). The big changes happened during that period (1550-65) thanks to Giorgio Vasari, who decorated sumptuously the interiors in order to respond the new government need of an official house for the royal dynasty. We must mention the most significant parts, as follows: the first courtyard, decorated with white and golden stuccoes and frescoed in the sixteenth century, even if the elegant structure dates back to the fifteenth century. You will access the ancient "Weapons Hall" (Sala d'Armi) passing for this courtyard, where the municipality of Florence often sets up lovely art exhibitions. On the first floor you will find the Salone del Cinquecento, oeuvre made by Cronaca (1495), which was used for the assemblies of the General Town Council to discuss about the reformations promoted by Girolamo Savonarola. The stunning walls were originally frescoed by Michelangelo and Leonardo, but due their current aspect to the monumental decorative work made by Vasari and his school in the XVI century. The lacunar ceiling, the frescoes, the "Udienza" (raised part of the hall with statues sculpted by Bandmelly and Caccini), the sculptures made by De' Rossi representing the Hercules' efforts, everything concurs with a complex and rich symbolization and precise historical references to the glorification of the Medicean family.The Salone homes even the "Genius of Victory", by Michelangelo Buonarroti. In contrast with the main hall grandiosity, but gorgeous anyway, is the small annexed Studiolo of Francesco I, jewel of mannerist art and sensitivity, where the young prince used to meditate and admire his treasures (1570). Visiting the palace you will walk across the various halls, each one dedicated to a different Medicean personage. Up to the second floor you will find the Monumental Quarter of Elements and the Quarter of Eleonora of Toledo, Cosimo I's wife. The small chapel decorated in honour of the grand-duchess catches the eye, thanks to the magnificent frescoes painted by Bronzino(1503-1572). Then follow the big representation rooms – Udienza and Gigli – with rich ceilings, decorations and fifteenth-century portals. The last area homes the Loeser Collection, donated to Florence by the American art critic Charles Loeser, died in 1928. The collection includes paintings and sculptures of the Tuscan school, dating back to the fourteenth and fifteenth century (works of art by Tino da Camaino, Berruguete, Rustici, Bronzino, Cellini). "Perseus" by Benvenuto Cellini, "The rape of the Sabines" and "Hercules with the Centaur Nesso" by Giambologna, "The Fountain of Neptune" by Bartolomeo Ammannati, "The Marzocco" by Donatello, the copy of "Judith and Holoferne" by Donatello, copy of Michelangelo's "David", "Hercules and Caco" by Baccio Baldinelli.
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