Pitti Palace and the Monumental Apartments in Florence
Joe on June 29th, 2010 | Filed under Travel
In the 15th Century, the Pitti Palace was constructed in Florence, Italy, for Luca Pitti, during the time of the republic that was ruled by Cosimo de’Medici. Pitti was a friend to Medici and the republic, and staged a coup in 1458 seizing the government in order to strengthen it; this new order lasted eight years, as he became, in effect, the ruler of Florence. The Pitti Palace, known as the Palazzo Pitti , was meant to rival the Palazzo Medici, employing the best architect of the times, Filippo Brunelleschi. Today, the palace is a key destination in Florence; once the residence of the grand-dukes of Tuscany and, later, the King of Italy, it now serves several museums, housing paintings, sculpture, art works, porcelain, and a costume gallery, including the Boboli Gardens , one of the earliest Italian gardens, known for its grottoes and fountains.
Inside the palazzo, visitors will find the Monumental Apartments, which comprise the right wing of the main floor. These rooms reflect three important areas of Florentine history. From the mid-16th to the mid-17th centuries, they housed the Medici court. A facade specifically built for the heir is here; on the other side are rooms designated for his wife. Today, they still reflect the time period of the Grand Prince Ferdinando dei Medici, who lived in the palace until 1713, when he died. From this time period, there’s a precious ebony and semi-precious stone cabinet that belonged to the wife of Ferdinando II, as well as a chapel, which once served as a bed alcove of the Grand Prince Ferdinando.
From the second period, the late 17th Century to the 18th Century, visitors may still see the stucco decorations and gilded inlaid work performed by G. Battista Foggini, as well as the “Madonna” by Carlo Dolci. Once the Medici dynasty passed in 1734, the apartments became those of the House of Lorraine and were restored and re-furnished according to this new period. Guests may find examples of this time in the Queen’s Dressing Room, which contains hand-embroidered silk panels and a Rococo stucco ceiling, often found in the 18th Century.
The third period, the 19th Century, reflects Italy’s unification at a time when Florence was selected to be the capital of Italy (1866-1870) and the apartments were employed by King Victor Emanuel II of Savoy. It’s still possible to see the Baroque red damask in the throne room.
For those with an interest in history, in art, in architecture, and in gardens, the Pitti Palace should be one of the first stops after checking in to the hotel. Florence provides many sights for curious travelers, but few sights are as concentrated as this one. In addition to the Monumental Apartments and the Boboli Gardens, visitors may also explore the Palatine Gallery, the Silver Museum, the Costume Gallery, the Porcelain Museum, the Museum of Carriages, and the Museum of Modern Art.
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