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Piazza della Signoria
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
poi · IT

Piazza della Signoria

Getting around: Directly in front of Palazzo Vecchio in central Florence, an easy walk from the Duomo and the Uffizi.
Hours: Open at all times as a public square.

Piazza della Signoria has been the political heart of Florence since medieval times, the site of public assemblies, executions, and, in 1497, the Bonfire of the Vanities orchestrated by the reformist friar Savonarola, who was himself later executed on the same spot. Palazzo Vecchio still anchors one side.

The square doubles as an open-air sculpture gallery, with the Loggia dei Lanzi housing works like Cellini's Perseus and a copy of Michelangelo's David standing where the original once stood outside the palace entrance.

It's directly adjacent to the Uffizi Gallery, making it a natural hub for a day spent around Florence's central museums and landmarks.

Piazza della Signoria FAQs

Is the David here real?

No, it's a copy; the original stands in the Accademia Gallery a short walk away.

What is the Loggia dei Lanzi?

An open-air loggia at the square's edge housing a collection of Renaissance and classical sculptures, free to view.

Is there an entry fee for the piazza?

No, it's a free public square.

What happened here historically?

It was the site of public gatherings, executions, and Savonarola's 1497 Bonfire of the Vanities, followed by his own execution here the next year.

Is it a good place to eat?

There are cafes on the square, though prices reflect the prime tourist location; better value is usually a block or two away.

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