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After this domestic foray we can proceed to the governmental area of the city. In the 13th century the main public buildings were the Bargello ( literally the palace of the police Captain) and the Palazzo Vecchio (known in this period as Palazzo della Signoria ,i.e. the palace of the government) and the Loggia di Piazza better known by it's 16th centuary title Loggia dei Lanzi. The original defensive as well as propagandistic purposes of these buildings determined the massive forms of their construction. The Bargello was first a government building for the Emperors' representative and a symbol of the Emperors' hegemony over the individual city. When this period came to an end it was turned into a prison and the Palace of the Signoria became seat and symbol of the organs of the citys' self-rule. This last building was designed by Arnolfo di Cambio. The Loggia was built in the 1300's when Florence was powerful enough to receive important people. All these changes were taking place at the time of Giotto and Dante, a period of expansion and great splendour, when the necessity of finding new means of hospitality and communication were felt in all areas of private and public life. Note one detail: the Bargello and the tall towers houses of the 1200's have only essential openings on the ground level but the upper floors of the Palazzo Vecchio were projected with many great windows for light. This gradual movement toward the huge arches of the Loggia and the almost continual windows on the upper floors of the Palazzo Davanzati illustrates a progressively less defensive attitude and a leaning towards a new type of sociability.
The visit ends on the Ponte Vecchio with the incredible view along the Arno river valley and the unforgettable sights of the goldsmith shops on the bridge.

Il Bargello	A Gothic architecture tour - in which Florence is rich. This itinerary offers an idea of the public and private buildings of the 1300's in Florence. Beginning with Palazzo Davanzati, home of the merchant family Davanzati in the 1300's. The organization of the Palace, with its defined separate areas for business and family life. The living areas are on the upper floors over the business area which extends across the whole front of the building. The sleeping and dinning areas are on the quiet sides of the building, the large living rooms are on the front, and the kitchens and servant quarters are on the top of the building together with a large loggia. This building is furnished with authentic pieces of the 15th and 16th centuries.
After this domestic foray we can proceed to the governmental area of the city. In the 13th century the main public buildings were the Bargello ( literally the palace of the police Captain) and the Palazzo Vecchio (known in this period as Palazzo della Signoria ,i.e. the palace of the government) and the Loggia di Piazza better known by it's 16th centuary title Loggia dei Lanzi. The original defensive as well as propagandistic purposes of these buildings determined the massive forms of their construction. The Bargello was first a government building for the Emperors' representative and a symbol of the Emperors' hegemony over the individual city. When this period came to an end it was turned into a prison and the Palace of the Signoria became seat and symbol of the organs of the citys' self-rule. This last building was designed by Arnolfo di Cambio. The Loggia was built in the 1300's when Florence was powerful enough to receive important people. All these changes were taking place at the time of Giotto and Dante, a period of expansion and great splendour, when the necessity of finding new means of hospitality and communication were felt in all areas of private and public life. Note one detail: the Bargello and the tall towers houses of the 1200's have only essential openings on the ground level but the upper floors of the Palazzo Vecchio were projected with many great windows for light. This gradual movement toward the huge arches of the Loggia and the almost continual windows on the upper floors of the Palazzo Davanzati illustrates a progressively less defensive attitude and a leaning towards a new type of sociability. The visit ends on the Ponte Vecchio with the incredible view along the Arno river valley and the unforgettable sights of the goldsmith shops on the bridge.
home All itineraries include an introduction by the guide explaining the artistic and historical importance of the respective monuments.