It’s a pity if you visit Florence and miss the Pitti Palace. It is located in the heart of Oltrarno, on the left side of the Arno river, just a few steps from Ponte Vecchio at the foot of the Boboli Hill. Join the Pitti Palace tour and discover the magnificent Palatine Gallery.
The History of the Palace and its owners
First of all the palace stands out from the others by its size, it’s simply enormous. And it is no wonder, it used to be the residence of the great dukes of Tuscany and had to satisfy the needs of their huge court. It belonged to the Medici family, which was later replaced by the House of Habsburg-Lorraine. After the unification of Italy it passed to the Savoy Dynasty. In four centuries the palace was enlarged and redecorated many times reflecting the tastes of its owners. Of course they wanted to demonstrate their power, grandeur and perfect artistic taste.
However, the palace bares the name of its first owners, the Pitti family, the bankers and the rivals of the Medici. In fact Luca Pitti, who commissioned the building, was involved in 1466 in conspiracy against the magnates. It was a fail since the Medici were informed of the wicked plan of the enemies and were ready to repel the attack. Finally the Pitti family was ruined and had no money to finish the building. A century later they had to sell the palace to the Medici. The building in front of the palace still bares the coat of arms of the Pitti as a reminder of their fate.
Why you should visit the Pitti Palace
Palazzo Pitti is famous for the Boboli Gardens with antique statues and fountains. It houses four museums: the Treasury of the Grand Dukes , the Palatine Gallery and the Royal Apartments, the Gallery of Modern Art and the Museum of Costume and Fashion. We suggest you join the guided tour and discover the masterpieces of the Palatine Gallery, the paintings by Filippo Lippi, Raphael, Titian, Caravaggio and other artists.
CLICK HERE TO BOOK THE PITTI PALACE TOUR.
After Palazzo Pitti you can relax and have a refreshing spritz in Bulli&Ballene or have a drink in one of the bars in Santo Spirito.
If you enjoy outdoor activities and you want to learn more about art and history of the city you can also join the walking tour in Florence and discover the highlights and hidden treasures of the city out of the beaten track.
