Palazzo Vecchio - Florence

Palazzo Vecchio is located in Piazza della Signoria in Florence, Italy.  It was the seat of power of the Medici family from 1540 until they moved to the Palazzo Pitti.  The site originally housed two palaces, Palazzo dei Fanti and Palazzo dell'Esecutore di Giustizia, with the current structure now sitting atop the ruins of those former homes.  The palazzo was built in 1299 in response to the city's need to have a showcase which would both reflect their importance and provide for their protection.  In 1540 Cosimo de' Medici moved the family into the palace, which was then known as Palazzo della Signoria, and established his seat of power in Florence.  Several years later the Medicis moved again, to the Palazzo Pitti, and the Palazzo della Signoria was renamed Palazzo Vecchio, the Old Palace.  Cosimo also had the Vasari Corridor completed, an above ground walkway which connected the two palaces.  Since 1872 the palace has housed the office of the mayor of Florence, but remains almost exclusively a museum. 

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