The design of the Palazzo Vecchio, also known as Palazzo della Signoria, is attributed to Arnolfo di Cambio who began work on the Palazzo in 1299. In 1314 it became the residence of the "Priori" during their tenure of office. The Palazzo was enlarged in 1343 for the Duke of Athens; in 1495 by Simone del Pollaiolo, called "il Cronaca", who built the Salone dei Cinquecento; and once again in 1511. The interior was modified by Vasari between 1540 and 1543, and by Buontalenti between 1588 and 1592.

The grand staircase by Vasari leads to the Salone dei Cinquecento which contains, among other sculptures, the marble Victory by Michelangelo. Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo were originally commissioned to provide fresco decorations for the Salone. On the same floor of the Palazzo is the Studiolo ("small study") of Francesco I Medici by Vasari, which contains works by Giambologna, Ammannati and other Florentine artists of the late sixteenth century.

On the second floor are to be found the Sala dei Gigli, which takes its name from the lilies, symbol of Florence, which decorate its walls and ceiling; the Sala dell'Udienza, built by Benedetto da Maiano; the Cappella della Signoria, with frescoes by Ghirlandaio; the Quartiere di Eleonora di Toledo, built by Vasari; and the Cappella di Eleonora, decorated by Bronzino.
The Palazzo Vecchio ("Old Palace") was so called to distinguish it from the "new" palace, the Palazzo Pitti, to which the Medici family moved in the sixteenth century. Today the Palazzo Vecchio is the seat of the municipal government and is therefore only partially open to the public.
To the right of the Palazzo Vecchio in the Piazza della Signoria stands the Loggia dei Lanzi, erroneously called "dell'Orcagna" because at one time it was thought to be by that artist. It was built between 1376 and 1382. Among the sculptures under the Loggia are the marble Rape of the Sabine Women by Giambologna and the bronze Perseus by Cellini.

Piazza della Signoria. Phone: 27681
Open: 9-19; Sundays 8-13. Closed Thursdays.