Buy tickets & tours:GetYourGuide Palazzo Vecchio is the monumental town hall of Florence, located in Piazza della Signoria, one of the most important civic spaces in the historic center. The palace stands beside the Uffizi Gallery, about 50 meters from its northern side, and about 300 meters from Ponte Vecchio. Known in English as the “Old Palace”, Palazzo Vecchio has been connected with Florentine government for more than seven centuries. It was built as a fortified seat for the city’s magistrates, later became a Medici residence, and still houses the Municipality of Florence, the Mayor’s offices, and the city council. The building is one of the clearest symbols of Florence’s political history. Its massive stone facade, high battlements, and 95-meter Torre di Arnolfo dominate Piazza della Signoria. Inside, the museum preserves medieval rooms, Renaissance halls, Medici apartments, archaeological remains, monumental frescoes, sculptures, maps, and civic artworks. Palazzo Vecchio is also one of the best places to understand Florence as a city-state. The building connects the Roman city of Florentia, the medieval republic, the Medici duchy, the short period when Florence was capital of Italy, and the modern civic administration of the city. Short History of Palazzo Vecchio Roman Read more [...]