Palazzo dell'Antella (Antella Palace), Florence

While strolling through Piazza Santa Croce, one's attention is immediately drawn to the facade of an exceptionally unique and stunning building. This is none other than the Palazzo dell'Antella or degli Antellesi, situated on the right side of the square.

Of medieval origins, this palace is the fruit of a series of restructurings and mergers of several housing estates during the course of time. Although it is not open for public visits, the observation of its facade offers a multitude of intriguing details. One notable feature is the presence of prominent projecting corbels, adding a distinct and elegant touch. Another captivating characteristic is the progressively narrowing spacing between the windows as you approach Santa Croce, creating a fascinating perspective effect (though for many onlookers it is just a funny architectural solution that poses the question of how the rooms look on the inside).

However, the true marvel lies in the frescoes that adorn the facade. Executed by renowned artists of the time, such as Giovanni da San Giovanni, Domenico Passignano, Cosimo Milanesi, Matteo Rosselli, and others, these breathtaking frescoes were completed within a mere twenty days between 1619 and 1620, with a total of twelve artists contributing to this masterpiece. Additionally, adorning the facade is a prominent bust of Cosimo II dei Medici, serving as the central figure within the entire iconography.

Lastly, an intriguing feature is the palace having become known as the "Palazzo degli Sporti" at one point, because spectators used to watch the "calcio fiorentino" in costume from the windows. This was, apparently, an early form of football whose cradle is now considered to be the Piazza Santa Croce, where the palace lies. Below the palace's third window one can even spot a marble disk, said by some to mark where the dividing line was drawn across the piazza when the game was played.