Palazzo Medici Riccardi (Medici Riccardi Palace), Florence

Palazzo Medici Riccardi (Medici Riccardi Palace), Florence

The first Medici palace, once the residence of Cosimo the Elder and Lorenzo the Magnificent, stood as a thriving hub for numerous prominent Renaissance artists, among them the prodigious Michelangelo, who was discovered by Lorenzo while still in his formative teenage years.

This grand edifice, an imposing spectacle of its time, set a new standard with its three tiers of progressively textured stonework and sizable, evenly spaced two-light windows. A magnificent cornice crowns the entirety of its exterior, exemplifying its resolute presence. The building encompasses an elegant square courtyard at its core, a stark contrast to the commanding impression projected by its façade. Together, they symbolize the duality of the Medici family, projecting an image of wealth, influence, and even ruthlessness to the outside world, while fostering an atmosphere of refinement as patrons of the humanist Renaissance within their sanctuary.

While the courtyard and gardens offer a delightful and complimentary experience, it is certainly worthwhile to invest in the admission fee and ascend to the upper rooms. These spaces exhibit designs, decor, style, furnishings, and collections that bear testament to the profound power, far-reaching influence, and immense wealth of the Medici dynasty.

A hidden gem within the palace, the Magi Chapel, mesmerizes with its diminutive size yet resplendent floor-to-ceiling frescoes by the gifted artist Benozzo Gozzoli. The intricate details within the artwork, such as the elaborate costumes, depictions of animals, and picturesque scenery, captivate the observer's gaze. One can spend an hour studying the reputed likenesses of various members of the illustrious Medici clan, along with notable figures like the Wolf of Rimini: Sigismondo Malatesta. The vibrant colors – considering the work was started in 1459 – create a visual feast where the composition unfolds in a bit of a whirlwind.

Near the end of the tour is the astonishing Galleria, a completely "over-the-top" Baroque marvel, resplendent with walls covered in shimmering gold and a grand domed ceiling adorned with scenes from Greek mythology. Additionally, there is an underground sculpture museum, housed within the former stables. Fortunately, there are minimal queues for entry, allowing visitors to relish the magnificence of the rooms comfortably and at their leisure.

Tip:
To gain entry into the building, it is advisable to queue up in the courtyard, at the base of the staircase.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Florence. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

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Palazzo Medici Riccardi (Medici Riccardi Palace) on Map

Sight Name: Palazzo Medici Riccardi (Medici Riccardi Palace)
Sight Location: Florence, Italy (See walking tours in Florence)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Walking Tours in Florence, Italy

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Create Your Own Walk in Florence

Creating your own self-guided walk in Florence is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Florence Food Tour

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Dante's Florence Walking Tour

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Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
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Medici Landmarks Walking Tour

Medici Landmarks Walking Tour

The Medici family helped to establish Florence as the single most important art capital of Renaissance Europe. In order to prove wealth and power, they built numerous palaces, libraries, churches, chapels and personal residences. The Medicis were big lovers of art and they acquired huge, expensive collections, as well as supporting many sculptors and painters of the time.

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Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.7 Km or 1.7 Miles
Florence's Hidden Art Treasures

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The most prominent of these, undoubtedly, is the breathtaking...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
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Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.0 Km or 2.5 Miles

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