Piazza della Signoria, Florence, Italy

Symbol of the Florentine Republic, the Piazza Della Signoria has been the center of political life in Florence since the 14th century, with the Palazzo Vecchio, formerly Palazzo Della Signoria, overlooking the square. It was the scene of the return of the Medici in 1530, the Bonfire of the Vanities instigated by Savonarola, who was then burned at the stake here in 1498 after the Inquisition denounced him as a heretic. A marble circle inscription on the piazza shows where he was burned.

The sculptures in Piazza della Signoria bristle with political connotations, many of which are fiercely contradictory. The David by Michelangelo was placed outside the Palazzo Vecchio as a symbol of the Republic's defiance of the tyrannical Medici.

Bandinelli's Hercules and Cacus (1534) to the right of David was appropriated by the Medici to show their physical power after their return from exile.

The Nettuno (1575) by Ammannati celebrates the Medici's maritime ambitions and Giambologna's equestrian statue of Duke Cosimo I (1595), who brought all of Tuscany under Medici military rule.

The Loggia dei Lanzi
Loggia dei Lanzi sits to the right of Palazzo Vecchio as an open-air sculpture gallery designed by Orcagna in 1376. Its curved arches foretell Renaissance classicism. The statue of Perseo holding Medusa's head, by Benvenuto Cellini (1554), is a stark reminder of what happened to those who crossed the Medici. Together with Giambologna's Rape of the Sabines, these are two of many beautiful sculptures found under the arches of the Loggia dei Lanzi.
Right behind the Loggia dei Lanzi is the Galleria degli Uffizi, also known as the Uffizi Gallery, Italy's top art museum.

Wander around, grab a seat along the Loggia Dei Lanzi or a cafe near the Fountain of Neptune, a must-see spot and a great area to people-watch, view magnificent sculptures and rest travel feet. However, past travellers recommended avoiding the restaurants in this area, calling them "outrageously overpriced." Visit in the evening to avoid the crowds.

Unlike the nearby Piazza del Duomo, the Piazza Della Signoria offers more open space with many restaurants, making it a popular spot in the evenings. It's one of the busiest places in Florence, with the Uffizi Gallery close by.

Uffizi Gallery entrance is along the narrow walkway between the Loggia and the Palazzo Vecchio. The best view of the square is from the Palazzo Vecchio Tower, 94 metres high.

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