Piazza della Signoria is an L-shaped square in front of the Palazzo Vecchio in Florence, Italy. Do you know how it got its L shape?
In 1268 the Guelfs took control of Florence again and decided to demolish all the houses of their rivals the Ghibelines, beginning with the towers of Foraboschi and Uberti. Thirty six houses in all were torn down and it is for this reason that the piazza today has the form of an "L" and the buildings on it are not aligned.
Its name derives from Palazzo Vecchio which was originally known as 'Palazzo della Signoria'. Designed in 1298 and completed in 1302 by Arnolfo di Cambio, this is the town hall of Florence, Italy. Palazzo della Signoria remained as it was under the Medici's and Duke Cosimo I who lived there from 1540 to 1565, had it enlarged by the architect Giorgio Vasari. When the Duke transferred to the palace of Palazzo Pitti in 1565, Palazzo della Signoria became Palazzo Vecchio, leaving Piazza della Signoria to retain this little piece of history in its name.
Inside the Palazzo Vecchio or "Old Palace" lies the first courtyard, designed in 1453 by Michelozzo.
The frescoes on the walls, representing scenes of the Austrian Habsburg estates, were painted in 1565 by Giorgio Vasari for the wedding celebration of Francesco I de' Medici, the eldest son of Cosimo I de' Medici, and Johanna of Austria, sister of the Emperor Maximilian. The harmoniously proportioned columns, at one time smooth, and untouched, were at the same time richly decorated with gilt stuccoes.
In the center, the porphyry fountain is by Battista del Tadda. The Putto with Dolphin on top of the basin is a copy of the original by Andrea del Verrocchio (1476), now on display on the second floor of the palace. This small statue was originally placed in the garden of the villa of the Medici in Careggi. The water, flowing through the nose of the dolphin, is brought here by pipes from the Boboli Gardens.
A replica of Michelangelo's David can be found in front of Palazzo Vecchio. It was the same spot where the original had stood for years before they moved the original to the Academia when it was discovered that David was being damaged by the weather.
In case you get mistaken, most of the statues here are originals though. This include Cellini's Perseus with the head of Medusa.
Across his chest and back Perseus is wearing a sash inscribed with the sculptor’s name and the date of the statue’s casting. In addition, at the back of the sculpture, Benvenuto Cellini left his second signature...
Another original - Fountain of Neptune by Bartolomeo Ammannati. Unfortunately when the work was completed, it was not appreciated in particular by the Florentines, who called it Il Biancone (the white giant).
If you find the Rape of the Sabine Women familiar, note that the original is located here. The familiar replica can be found in Galleria della Accademia. =D
The 15 statues in Loggia dei Lanzi (or Loggia della Signoria which is a building on a corner of the Piazza della Signoria) are under a covered area and protected from the elements especially the birds by the wiring installed on these statues. Even the Fountain of Neptune is under tight security cameras after being vandalized countless of times.
A little bit about the history of Loggia dei Lanzi as obtained from the exhibition board...
The Loggia dei Lanzi was built by Benci di Cione and Simone di Francesco Talenti between 1376 and 1382, as the place to hold the public ceremonies of the Florentine Signoria. On the outside, between the arches and abvoe the pillars, are niches with semicircular lobes with portrayals of the Virtues carved to designs by Agnolo Gaddi between 1384 and 1389. It is known as "dei Lanzi" after the Lansquenets, the guards whom Cosimo l de' Medici had stationed there. The Loggia was restored by Pasquale Poccianti between 1837 and 1840.
Location: Large square located in front of the Palazzo Vecchio and Uffizi Museum.
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