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Constructed in the 2nd half of the 15th century, Pitti Palace is one of Florence's most visited sites by locals and tourists alike. Known to be one of the oldest functioning museums of Florence, you can soak up some panoramic experience here during your visit. In 1550, this building was purchased by Eleonora da Toledo, thus becoming the official residence of Duke Cosimo I de Medici's family.
Often called Pitti Palace, Palazzo Pitti is a vast palace constructed in 1458. It is located in the southern part of the Arno River in Florence, Italy. It is one of the oldest operating museums in Italy, famously known to be the former residence of Grand Duke Cosimo I de Medici. Before that, it was the chief residence of a Florentine banker, Luca Pitti, after whom the name Pitti Palace was given. Later in 1549, this place was brought by the great Medici family; as a result, it became the official residence of ruling families.
With time, this place grew as a treasure as the king's generation resided here and collected jewellery, paintings, artwork and other precious possessions. Later in the 18th century, the palace became the power base of Napoleons and was regarded as the royal palace of new Italy. Today, the palace’s complex is the largest in Florence owing to its rich history and great collection. It is classified into different sections, including museums, art galleries, courtyards, etc. The Pitti Palace is open year-round and a popular destination for locals and tourists.
Highlights
• Plan your trip to the official residence of Grand Duke Cosimo I de Medici, which has now been transformed into a famous museum in Florence.
• Explore centuries-old buildings and artefacts belonging to the Grand Duke Cosimo I de Medici.
• Initially, it was the house of Luca Putti, which was later purchased by Eleonora da Toledo, the wife of the ruling family, in 1550.
• Indulge in a tour of Pitti Palace, ranked as one of the most beautiful buildings in Florence, located in the southern part of the River Arno.
• Enjoy seeing the extensive collection of artworks by famous artists, tinted glass, paintings, pottery, and photographs here.
• Gain deep insight into the lives of the ruling families of the Grand Duchy of Tuscany during your visit to the Pitti Palace.
• Since the museum is of a certain height, it offers a panoramic view.
• Experience the works of great artists like Giovanni da San Giovanni, il Volterrano, Pietro da Cortona, Sebastiano Ricci and Antonio Domenico Gabbiani, who decorated the interiors of Pitti Palace in the 17th century.
How To Reach
By Foot - If you’re in the Florence city center, just walk across the famous Ponte Vecchio. It is a popular landmark in the city. Keep walking until you reach Boboli Gardens. It is only a 3-minute walk from the Boboli Gardens.
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Best Time To Visit
The best time to travel to Pitti Palace is in the morning, soon after the museum opens. During this time, the place remains relatively less crowded. It allows us to pay great attention towards artworks, displays and exhibits. Also, it gives you a fair chance to admire the museum's exterior and interior. In case you are short on time, you can find the museum during the set hours, which are from 4:00 PM to 6:30 PM.
Here are the timings of Pitti Palace, Florence
Tuesday to Sunday - 8:15 AM to 6:30 PM
Remains closed on Monday
Location - Piazza de' Pitti, 1, 50125 Firenze FI, Italy
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Other Essential Information
TipsTo Visit Pitti Palace
- If you wish to explore the museum from a closer perspective, consider booking a guided tour for a better experience.
- All foreign tourists are required to carry their passports and visa in case of emergency.
- If you want to avoid long queues, it is best to book online tickets for Pitti Palace before reaching the destination physically.
- Wearing pointy heels or unforgettable clothes might not be the greatest choice as the tour will involve plenty of walking. Consider wearing comfortable clothes and shoes.
- Like most palaces in Florence, Pitti Palace also remains closed on Mondays. So plan your trip accordingly.
- Do not touch any precious items inside the museum, it might cost a fine.
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Palatine Gallery
The core area of the Pitti Palace is the Palatine gallery which houses more than 500 paintings from the Renaissance period. These paintings were once a part of the Medicis' art collection. This gallery is blessed with the work of the greatest artists of all time, like Perugino, Raphael, Titian, Peter Paul Rubens, Pietro da Cortona and Correggio.
The rooms here are designed and decorated by the famous Pietro da Cortona. In total, the gallery features 28 rooms. The most famous are the Room of Castagnoli, Room of the Ark, Room of Psyche, Hall of Poccetti, Room of Prometheus, Room of Ulysses, Room of Saturn and others. These rooms still feature the furniture used during the time of Medici.
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Royal Apartments
Formerly the chief rooms used by the entire Medici family, Royal apartments feature 14 rooms which have been reconstructed several times since the age of Medici. The last renovation was done in the 19th century.
These rooms feature portraits of Medici, which are made by the great artist Giusto Sustermans. Some of these rooms are small in size and intimate, whereas others are larger than life and are more suited for everyday living. These rooms were last used in the 1920s by the Kings of Italy.
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Gallery Of Modern Arts
Spread over more than 30 rooms, the Gallery of Modern Arts originated from reconstructing the Florentine academy in 1784. This gallery was constructed with the purpose of preserving art pieces that won prizes in academy competitions. By the 19th century, paintings of many renowned artists from all over the world were transferred here.
Costume Gallery
A popular place in the Pitti Palace, which is located in the "Palazzina della Meridiana” wing. This costume gallery is used to preserve a vast collection of all theatrical costumes used from the 16th century till the 21st century.
It is regarded as the only museum in Florence and Italy which gives a glimpse of the history of Italian fashion. Besides clothes, the gallery also features a huge collection of costume jewelry from the mid-20th century.
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Tourism Board Alliances
Pitti Palace FAQs
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